Eating in July

My mom dug out the hand cranked ice cream maker for the fourth.  It was a lot of fun.  The last time my kids had hand cranked ice cream, we only had the older three.  I think they were 2, 5, and 8 at the time. 



We had our very first bakery cookie this month.  Around here all the grocery stores give the kids a free cookie.  He hasn't been able to really handle one yet.  He was just shoving everything in his mouth and not taking bites.  But, he was very patient and sweet and took wee little bites as we shopped.



Here she is making her strawberry shake.  She loves adding everything to the vitamix on her own.  The boys tried to correct her.  But, she was very certain it was a shake.  Of course, I told them all they were wrong.  She was definitely correct!




This was an awesome salad made of everything I could find in the fridge.  Lettuce, red onion sliced super thin, jalapeno and garlic stuffed olives, bunny love carrot chips, tomato, avocado, and sprinkled with spike and pepper.  We had Goddess Dressing with it. 



And, dessert. We love peach crisp.  I use fresh or frozen peaches if  I can find them.  But, I admit I keep canned peaches in my pantry just for crisp.  We love to make up extra to eat for breakfast, too. 

Meditating on this New Year

I am not a fan of resolutions.
It makes me feel like I am setting myself up to fail.
I didn't finish that photo project last year. I guess I could try agsin this year.
I did get dreads and I love them.


I have been inspired to meditate on this New Year instead.
I am going to give praise for what is yet to come.
I have no idea what God has in store for us.
I know we are coming to the end of schooling for my husband.
I know we are depending on God's provision for a suitable job.
I know a little boy is due sometime in March.
I know I will turn 35 this year.

Halloween and Mummy Dogs

I thought I would share the mummy dogs the kids made for Halloween.  We don't usually do anything regular for Halloween.  Depending on where we live, we Trick or Treat.  A few years ago we did a big festival with our church and that was crazy. Smack dab in the middle of our towns Halloween Trick or Treating event.  This year one of the boys and Dad went out for last minute Trick or Treating.  I'm sorry I have no pictures of their makeshift costumes.  But, I told everyone that I'm too pregnant and tired to go out.

We did manage some fun dinner though.  We made some vegetarian and some with meaty dogs.



Threw in some broccoli for good measure.  All the kids like broccoli and it comes in very big bags at Costco.

Waving Hello to Daddy!

Waving Hello to Daddy!
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

Our youngest has been growing like, well, wildflowers. Sweet, pretty, and fast. She is waving, climbing the stairs, eating, and growling. She does have three older brothers. Growling seems like a must.

We have been having a lot of fun. Spring is beautiful in Washington this year. It's just gorgeous out. We have had just enough rain to enjoy it. And, enough sunshine to bring out the much needed sunshine happiness.

Our butterflies have hatched and they have been so much fun to watch. I want to let them go. But, I don't want to let them go. If you want to see what else we have been up to, check out our learning adventures at OakBlossoms Academy.

This winter has been much better then last year. Even when times were tough or too cold, there was a new little person to watch.

New little people remind you that each day is new.
New for everyone,
not just babies.
We all learn something new.
We all can get up in the morning
and watch the sunrise.

February Photo Project

It's February.  What words best describe February to you?

Red

Pink

white

love

shelter

dainty

Here is the link to the first photo project post.  How did you do?  I would have liked to take more photos.  So, this month that is it.  More photos.  I'm still very tired from having a little one around.  I think this is a good month to get over it.  

One of my New Year things to do (don't make me say the R word)....a photo project for each month. I sat down with my husband to come up with words to describe each month. I'll try to keep my pictures in correlation with those words for my project. Check in to see what the new months project is.  You can find the Flickr set here.  If you want to join in with me,there is a flickr pool as well.  Otherwise, just share the pics on your blog.  If you join from here, will you drop me a line so I can see your blog.  I would love to keep up with what others are doing.  Feel free to make a button on your sidebar from the pic to let others know what we are doing!

Beach

0127101629.jpg
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms
(Be nice it's the camera on my phone.)

Sometimes I forget where I live. We move around a lot. But, we came back here in 2008. I haven't always appreciated the beauty of the places I've lived in. I live right down the street from this impressive piece of History.

Bulk Tea

Bulk Tea
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

When we moved here, I couldn't find bulk tea anymore. In Seattle, I just walked up to the store and bought what I needed for the week. I liked getting different ones each week. But, my husband purchased me a tea set this Christmas. It has a tea container for bulk tea. See the cute little wooden scoop!

I'm trying to trim our food budget down this year, as well as build up a pantry for lean times. I'm not sure how long one pound of tea will last me. The container holds about half a pound.

January 2010 Photo Project

Sleep
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

One of my New Year things to do (don't make me say the R word)....a photo project for each month. I sat down with my husband to come up with words to describe each month. I'll try to keep my pictures in correlation with those words for my project. Check in to see what the new months project is.  You can find the Flickr set here.  If you want to join in with me, there is a flickr pool as well.  Otherwise, just share the pics on your blog.  If you join from here, will you drop me a line so I can see your blog.  I would love to keep up with what others are doing.  Feel free to make a button on your sidebar from the pic to let others know what we are doing!

January means to me....
White
Gray
Sleep
Shelter
Birds