Background

I think that tree trunks make a great background for black and white photos. I really like how this one turned out.

Ready for a Luau

I have been planning a return trip to Hawaii for the whole family. It looks like it won't happen because of the long flights and the expense of 4 tickets. So what to do with all of my Hawaiian dreams?

How about an end of preschool luau? The highlight definitely was watching a volcano explode. The kids used two bottles of vinegar and still weren't tired of the action! I used this super simple recipe from Create Kids Crafts.

We learned the actions to the Hukilau song, ate fresh pineapple, coconut and macadamia nuts and after reading books about Hawaii, used photos of Hawaii to make postcards of our favorite sights.

We also had the best banana bread in the world: Coconut Lime Glazed Banana Bread. Mary Ann hooked me up with this recipe from Cooking Light a couple of years ago and I haven't made a different banana bread since. I love it!

Hydrangea (3 days later)

This is the same bloom 3 days later. It is so lovely. I had to capture it again!

Hydrangea

I am so excited about what is budding out in my garden now! Hydrangeas always make me think of you Jana! Your wedding was exquisite with the beautiful blooms.

My Take on Elevating the Mundane

One reason we purchased our current house is for the yard. O and W are little bundles of energy and need somewhere to run free! I loved playing with them in the back, but the unfinished landscaping bothered me to no end. I took a cue from Melissa's post about elevating the mundane. With a shovel in hand, I landscaped the back while the boys 'helped'. It was f un to read up about plants and figure out which would do well in this climate.

After spending so much time helping me pick out flowers and shrubs O is obsessed with plants everywhere we go. He often stops while riding his bike to make sure I notice 'a very beautiful plant'. For father's day, O thinks his dad would like 'a very big tree with lots of blossoms'! Weeds have reason to fear now too. O is constantly pointing them out and will stop riding his bike to get off at a neighbor's house and pull a few. It has been an adventure planting with my boys but I have totally enjoyed it. I am pleased to be growing little gardeners.

Before

After

Before

After

Asparagus-Tip Tea Sandwiches

Usually I don't get adventurous for lunch. Not because I don't think it would be fun, but simply because I usually don't plan ahead that well. This past Friday my friend called and asked if we would like to join her for lunch. She had just found a green vegetable that her son would eat...asparagus! She decided to expand on his new taste buds with this recipe. I was the lucky recipient of her culinary plans! These little sandwiches were fabulous and so easy to make. If you have asparagus and bread on hand you are set. I love asparagus so this is a great way for me to enjoy them! I usually save them for a fancy dinner. While asparagus is in season, get some and enjoy! Click here for the link to the recipe from Wondertime (the photo is from Wondertime too- they really do look this pretty though.)

PS The Wondertime article on asparagus mentioned asparagus pee: a distinct smell that your urine makes after eating asparagus. Are S and I the only ones in the world who have never smelled this or known about it??

Peace Like A River

I just finished this book and wholeheartedly recommend it. At times there is nothing better than just escaping in a book and becoming completely lost in another world. This book tells of normal people, the miracles in their lives and the love of family. It is quite different from anything that I have read lately and quite refreshing. I didn't know I'd so enjoy poetic passages about western bandits. You should give it a read!

Sweet Treat

Hey, remember these? You gave me these popsicle molds for my birthday years ago. The boys and I made strawberry nectarine pops today, and they tasted so good in the hot sun. We just pureed a clamshell of strawberries and some nectarines, added vanilla yogurt and a dollop of honey - and voila! We've come up with all sorts of concoctions to try in the summer days ahead.