Saturday, July 18

Good things















My days are very rarely a picture of domestic bliss. We are tired and whiny, often angry and overwhelmed like the rest of the world. Just a disclaimer, which I'm sure most people knew anyway.

There are days though, I am able to find and focus on one or two moments that were really just about perfect. They are moments and they do pass but today there were several and today I needed them.

It's been a cool, mostly bright day. Odd for July, but a nice break from warm weather. I am loving this strange summer we've had with its low humidity and breaks from the heat. Perfect.

It seemed like a good day for some homemade bread, which we were out of anyway. The weekend phenomenon at our house: No bread, milk or cereal. Always happens. I found this recipe which was originally for a bread machine but it worked just fine by hand.















While the dough was rising, we got outside for a walk/ride to the neighborhood "park". Drew rode his bike all the way which was a first for him. He was thrilled with his accomplishment.






















We walked down the trail there looking for wildlife of any sort but didn't find much. We did find some blackberries though, which we brought home to enjoy with our bread.















I remembered that we had some heavy cream on hand from making ice-cream earlier this week (which, by the way, was a total disaster, ending in a trip to the dentist for me), which we used to make butter. Easy as pie. Put the cream in a jar and shake it. Or give it to your toddler who will shake it once and clasp it to himself like hidden treasure until you pry it from him.






















The smell of bread baking, the taste of bread with homemade butter. Can't get much better than that.


















































My day got even better at the mailbox when I found this much anticipated arrival. I haven't done much knitting lately and I have a project in mind. My fingers are itching.

Wednesday, July 15

Filling Summer: Week 5

Remember the birdseed cookies from a couple weeks ago? Not such a hit with the birds. Just FYI.

But, another activity from the same site was definitely a success. I explained it to the boys and they were excited to gather up little "treasures" from around the house. Finally, a use for all that irritating clutter.















I got smart this time and filled a container with water and treasures for each of the boys. Here's a tip: Don't use your child's small sand bucket for this project. Ours cracked.











































It ended up being a great time killer for a warm afternoon. I gave the boys a dropper, a spray bottle, salt and some sharp instruments (for the older ones)and they spent a LONG time working to uncover all the frozen odds and ends.

Tuesday, July 14

Oh dear.






















My boy is just like me.

Friday, July 10

Filling Summer: Week 4















Cooling off in the sprinklers.

















Having a friend sleep over.
















Discovering vibration with glasses and varying water levels.
















Making our own compass with a magnet and paper clip.

Monday, July 6

Oh the geekery

video

I blame all of this on Keith. I don't think I'd even seen any Star Wars movies until I met him.

Saturday, July 4

Happy Fourth!















I was realizing the other day how much attention we (I) tend to give to silly holidays like Halloween and Valentine's Day. All the time, energy, money and seasonal crafts in honor of... not much, really. On the other hand, we don't tend to do much of anything on the fourth of July other than a barbecue. Is it because patriotism is just not cool? When did flag-waving become synonymous with ignorant, boorish fanaticism?

Well, this year I'm making more of an effort. Even with Keith working much of the day, we're going to pull out all the stops and celebrate. I may even try my hand at some (LEGAL) explosives. Get out your fire extinguishers.

















John Adams had a few ideas about how this event might be commemorated through the ages. "It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." The only thing he left out was the cake.


















Happy Independence Day from all of us flag-wavers!