kismet art

Monday Pumpkin Science Minute, week 3

Oh yes, it is that crazy time of the week again, the time when you just can't help but click on my blog to see how the pumpkins decompostion has progressed.  Forget the laundry.  Dinner can wait.  But checking on the pumpkins, now that is a priority.  And boy are they progressing, fewer animals chewing on them (but, can you really blame them with all that mold growth?)  They are full of rain and slugs and some dead bugs.  They look bad and smell worse.  But they certainly give me something to write about on a dark and stormy day.  And if you have missed any of this exciting science experiment just click on the link below, see you next Monday!

Week One and Week Two

Dragonfly Walk

At the beginning of September (yes, I realize it is now the beginning of October) my dad, Steve, and his friend Cary, and co-author of the book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon: A Field Guide, took our family and some friends on a nature walk where the kids and adults alike were able to observe, as well as catch and release, several species of dragonflies and damselflies.  The trail we walked on was near the freeway and behind an industrial area, but the preservation and restoration of the area made you almost forget that you weren't miles from civilization.

And being surrounded by all that natural beauty, as well as the magical feeling of having a dragonfly rest briefly on your hand, made for an unforgettable morning.

Just Another Reason Why Grandparents Are Awesome

Because when you go to the library they take all the time in the world with you to look at books, explore the toy area, answer your questions, stop and read, look in all the display cases, draw pictures, and they will always hold your hand to and from the car.

Coburg Antique Fair, 2011

Yes, it was really this dark when we started our treasure hunt in Coburg this year. Slowly we began to be able to see (and at this point I had already purchased several items in the dark): Almost light enough for the crowds to begin forming (and for me to look for another dose of caffeine): And suddenly, it was light enough to put away my tiny flashlight (at one of my favorite booths no less):This years purchases:  I really loved finding this necklace made out of an old ruler with the year I was born as well as this pair of earrings made out of vintage silverware:Some of my other favorite things (none of which came home with me):

Packing boxes in the shape of tiny houses:-A pocket gopher trap- for all those times you accidently find yourself with a gopher in your pocket...-An incredible assortment of old menus and dislplay items from soda fountains as well as product packaging:What I didn't get that I regret:  Photos of myself and my friends Ali, Katie, Liz, and Jackie (I know a group photo exsists and I will get a copy someday soon.)

My favorite experiences from this year (in no particular order):

 -going out to dinner at Lucky Noodle where we ate well, laughed long, and had some really yummy cocktails (oh how I have missed you, Chili Margarita) -coming home to Ali's house for a grown-ups only sleepover with a DQ ice cream cake and a movie -running into 2 of my childhood babysitters (who both referred to me as "Kimmy"), as well as Emily, Jill, and other friends and seeing their treasures

-getting up pre-dawn to make breakfast and getting a glimpse at both the Big Dipper and an amazing orange-tinted moon

-the 2 1/2 hour nap I enjoyed when I got home

I can't wait to do it all again next year!

5 Summer Salads and An Easy Chocolate Cake (Recipe Included)

Here is a look at the 5 Summer Salads my mom and I prepared last weekend to celebrate my dad's birthday (thank you summer for finally giving us enough sun to be able to harvest most of the ingredients from our own gardens.)

Snowpea With Yogurt, Dill, Cashews, and Cilantro Quinoa with Tomatoes and CucumbersCucumbers and Vinegar with Walla Walla Sweet Onions Fresh Corn Salad with Red Bell Peppers, Lime, Cilantro and Red Onion Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, Fresh Mozarella, Basil, and Olive Oil Oh, yeah, and that Chocolate Cake with Chocolate-Peanut Butter Frosting (lest you think we were a bunch of healthy eaters over here.)

Hershey's 5 minute-One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Euphoria's Sunrise Baking Cocoa)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Grease and flour two nine inch round pans (or one large 13x9 baking pan, or makes 24 cupcakes).
3. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer. 
4. Stir in the boiling water last. Batter will be thin. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Time Flies

 The time from Kindergarten to 4th grade has flown by in what feels like a matter of days.  So many changes this year, new school, new teachers, new friends, new routines, but thank goodness for that same happy grin.  I've been up since 4:30 a.m., my mind unable to stop thinking about this new adventure we all start today, wishing it was with the same openness that Ben feels.  Thankful that I'm not alone feeling this way.  Thankful that so many people are working together to make this a great year.  And most of all thankful that the 4th grader let his mom and dad walk him to school today. I know those days are numbered and will take each and every one of them and hold them in my heart like a gift.

Sweet 16

For starting out as "just friends" I'd say we're doing pretty well.

Happy 16th Anniversary Dave.  You truly make this journey worthwhile.

Sandbox Joy

Sandbox, circa summer, 2008.Sandbox, circa summer, 2011.All this girl needs is a bag of sand, some warm weather, and an excuse to run around barefoot to be happy.

Making Pizza Memories with Grandma

I grew up with the extraordinary priveledge of knowing my maternal and paternal grandparents (as well as 2 great-grandmothers, a great-grandfather, and even have some early memories of great-great grandparents too).  Like my parents before me, at different times during my life, we have lived within walking distance of at least one set of grandparents. As a young child we lived with my maternal grandparents for a year, Grandma and Grandpa Jones, who owned restaurants (as did Grandma Jones' parents) and because of this I have grown up around people who love food, love to cook, and love to teach others to cook.

Our children are lucky to have one set of grandparents 2 blocks away, grandparents who love to have them over for some fun in the kitchen.  And on the day these photos were taken my mom, aka Grandma, bought some locally made pizza dough, some sauce and cheese, tied aprons on Ben and Emma, and let them make their own pizzas.  There was a little gentle instruction but for the most part she just stood back and let them go for it.  Yes, it was a bit messy, and yes, some ingredients were eaten and not used on the pizzas, but what was best about this day was how their laughter filled the kitchen.

Not only did making their own pizzas give them each special appreciation for the food that was on their plates (they both said it was the best pizza they had ever eaten) but it reminded me that by adding a few extra minutes to the dinner routine, and being a little more patient when having them join me in meal preparation, will go a long way in giving both Ben and Emma that same love of being in the kitchen that I learned from my family.

Spring is Only 3 Weeks Away

So do you think it is ok for me to get rid of the graham cracker house from Christmas?

(And for the record I didn't even taste test any of the candy before it went into the trash can.)