Tulip time

Well, we've got quite the backlog of blogging material! That stinky old spring cleaning put a major crimp on my blogging roll. Then when I was ready, my computer got sick with a kernel panic and had to go the shop. Isn't that fun to say? Kernel panic. Anyway, it's all better now and we're back at it.

The tulips are blooming and we are finally playing outside again.










William made the cutest game for us to play. It first involved a "convention" where we listened to a lecture about energy efficiency in his room and watched his model train. Then we signed up for the workshop component (Sign up sheet shown below. Yes or no fill in the blank: Charloitte, Mickl, Kimbrle, Grasee. I love phonetic spelling!)

The workshop involved us brainstorming ideas for improving cars. Mama's ideas included crash-proof and 500 miles per gallon. Dad's ideas involved a burp-powered invisible chicken car.

The next stage involved a treasure hunt around the house with numbered notes written with invisible ink, only to be deciphered with a magic light.



Caramels

Last week I had a caramel smack-down that involved 3 batches of caramels in about 12 hours. It all started when Ahna brought me a wonderful gift of homemade turtles that were just about the best thing ever. I decided to try and replicate them.

The first batch had to be thrown out. Apparantly, evaporated milk is not the same as condensed milk.

I got tired halfway through the second batch and sat down, when the caramel promptly scorched and shot up to the hardball or hard crack or hard something stage. William found them late at night and had to use a butter knife to pry one off the roof of his mouth.

The third batch was so soft we had to eat it with spoons! I think I have met my cooking match. So far the caramel is winning in the caramel smack-down.




Just for posterity, I thought we should document how much honey a certain Mr. Michael C. Byrd applies to a piece of toast. Can you see that half inch thick spread? Can you see the bread collapsing under the weight?



Here's William rockin' out with some studly baby sunglasses:


I got a huge papaya at the farmer's market, and it just about blew the kids' minds when I cut it open. I made my favorite bowl of yumminess, tweaked a bit from Healthy Healing by Linda Page:

-Create a nut & seed mix: 1/4 c sliced almonds, 1/4 c pumpkin seeds, 1/4 c sunflower seeds, 1/4 c walnuts, and some apple pie spice.
-Soak 4 oz pitted prunes, some dried cranberries, and another dried fruit (I used pineapple) in water to cover. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in fresh fruit (I used papaya, banana, and strawberries). Delish!






Did you know Gracie is the best hugger ever? She just grabs onto your neck with both hands and hugs away. A lot. It's the best.


More coming soon! Love to you all.