First official Strawberry pickin'

Bike ride

We had a full weekend, Friday and Saturday night we had campfires w/ friends and Sunday we had a River Brethern Church service in our barn.  I didn't get a count, but i think all the chairs we're filled and more!  i liked the way they had the chairs arranged.  We took a picture so we can remember it.  When i say "we", i mean Rod climbed way up high and got this nice photo ! 

The boys favorite thing to do right now is riding bike!  In and out the lane, around the house and barns, and yes- in the garden and flower beds too.  grrr.  We did our first 'long' bike ride last night on the rails to trails near us.  Such a fun time.  The trail was fairly smooth, not too crowded, and flat.  We rode over 4 miles.  Brad and I were getting tired.  Everyone else was fine :) 

Clay's baby seat got a couple comments....

We stopped half way by the creek and the boys found shells.

It was important for Clay to show me his Belly B.

I'd say he's having a good hair day here, don't you think?

Shirt

Today's tip on getting a free shirt:: 

Take your 2 year old into a restaurant for ice cream, without his shirt on.  Get him to yell "COLD!" and voila, the restaurant owner will feel bad and come out with a brand new shirt :) 

Thumbs up for Silver Spring Family Restaurant!

Mother's Day

Mom and I joke about how forgetful we both are.  Our Mother's Day outing was no exception.  I forgot my camera, i really wanted to get a picture of mom and i .  And she forgot to bring the leftovers home.  It was all boxed and ready to go, she even had it in her hand at one point.  Noone knows what happened after that!  We had a great time none-the-less!
Me and the boys on Mother's Day!  I realize this isn't a real good picture of us...but look at my irises :)

There's something that i so often hear from other moms, that i cannot relate to.  Comments like "my baby is 3, i'm so sad" or  "My little guy is now in a big boy bed, i almost cried" or "I had to go up a size in diapers, why do they have to grow up".  etc etc.  I hear/read comments like this often and i am quite the opposite!  I thrive on growth, changes, milestones.  It what's supposed to happen!  I'm not sad to see seasons go for the most part, especially in the little baby department.  We'll probably go out for ice cream or something to celebrate when Clay graduates to a big boy bed :)  I know i'm probably the odd ball here, but just an interesting observation as i converse with other moms.  (Not saying there is a right or a wrong).  We are enjoying this season with the boys, but still think the best is yet to come!  So happy to be their mom!

Creek life & the Garden

It's official...we just aren't happy people if we can't be outside.  Tuesday's rainy day proved that. But when it's nice and we're outside, everyone is happy.  giddy even.  The boys have been spending just about every spare minute in the creek the past week or so.  It's amazing what they are catching!!  every day they come up and tell me about their new find.  Here were this past weeks catches....

A fish!  This was strategically caught using a tire and fishing pole.  The fish got caught in the tire!

Crayfish, lots of these guys..

Frogs!  Adam said it was piggy back day.  We left it at that. 

Eggs, apparently laid by frogs, these black dots will be the tadpoles.  i'm learning a lot :) 

And the favorite, a baby snapping turtle!  Adam caught him and said there were more.  we haven't found more yet.  We're keeping him for now, till he's big enough to hurt us :)  Adam's teacher wants him to bring it to school tomorrow.  So TJ (turtle james) is heading off to school in the morning. 

I also found a big snake the other day, but didn't have my camera.  Not exaggerating, it was BIG.  He can go bye byes.

We're starting to harvest the garden!  Today was the first radish picking. 

Ben took a bite fresh from the ground.  dirt and all..

The whole garden...Clay is stepping on the red beets.  sigh.

The teepee is an experiment, there are pole beans planted at each bamboo branch.  once the beans climb it's supposed to give a nice little hideout for the boys. 

A bumper crop of strawberries maybe?? They've never looked this good!

Sorry about all the pictures, but blogger just made it so much quicker to download pics!

Dessert

After all that healthy posting, i knew i needed to get a dessert in there!  i made this yesterday for the teacher appreciation dessert our mom's prayer group did.  It's yummy, i wanted to keep it. 

Strawberry Angel Food dessert:
1 baked Angel Food cake (bake in a 9x13 pan)
1 quart strawberries
2 packages Danish dessert (strawberry or raspberry, i used raspberry)

1 cup 10x sugar
8 oz. cream cheese } cream these 3 ing. together
8 oz. cool whip

Prepare danish according to the first directions on box, let cool, then add strawberries.  Break Angel Food cake into pieces in a large bowl.  Pour creamed mixture over cake pieces and toss to coat.  Put in serving dish and top with strawberry mixture. 

Recipes from the week

I would like share some recipes from our week that are worth sharing, (i think:)  They are on the healthier end.  I'm trying to help us make better choices these days with food. The first one is a delicious Asian salad.  It makes A LOT, so look out!  It's so good and very pretty too.  The boys don't love it, but they will get over it. 

Asian Noodle Salad:
1 Package Linguine noodles, cooked
1/2 head sliced green cabbage
1/2 head sliced purple cabbage
1/2 bag baby spinach
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1 yellow bell  pepper, sliced thin
1 orange pepper, sliced thin
1 bag beans sprouts (also called mung bean sprouts)
chopped cilantro, to taste
3 whole scallions, sliced
3 whole cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 can whole cashews, lightly toasted in skillet (i omitted this)

DRESSING:
1 whole lime, juiced
8 T olive oil
8 T soy sauce
2 T sesame oil
1/3 cups brown sugar
3 T fresh ginger, chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
2 whole hot peppers, chopped (optional)

Mix salad ingredients together.  Whisk dressing ingredients together and pour over salad.  Mix with tongs or hands and serve on platter. 

Granola:

This recipe came from Rods mom.  You can double the recipe and freeze the access.  Really tasty.  The boys like this one and enjoy helping to make it too.   

Raw Granola:
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped/sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Heat just to melt:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup honey or agave

Pour oil and honey/agave over the dry ingredients and mix well. 

Water!

It's a joke in our house that mommy made water!!  some of us like it, some don't!  try it for yourself.  I find it helps me to drink more water.  It's a refreshing combo. 

For each gallon of water, ADD:
2 lemons, sliced
1/2 cucumber, sliced
15 mint leaves

Those were some things i've been working on in the kitchen, but most of my time recently is spent outside in the garden and flower beds!  May is always a busy month with those things! 

Have a terrific week.  We have some sick ones here in our house....clay, daddy, and brad (NOT from the meatballs, A!)  so i imagine the rest will get it too ??  Not a bad week to get our turn out of the way.  We don't have a whole lot going on, as of now. 
good night!