Bronco Days

On the rare occasion that I have to drive our 1980 Ford Bronco, I love it. I feel tough, invincible, it's so solid. A gas guzzler though, and with current fuel costs being what they are we rarely take it out. But with our van in the shop for a few days, and us needing to get into the city I strapped E in and off we went with the windows rolled down and the wind in our hair. Another reason driving that tank is so much fun is E sits up front with me, she loves it and would rather ride in it over the van. With no airbags in the thing and no shoulder strap in the backseats we get to hang out up front like buddies.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

This proved to be a very good idea for E. She shines. She's always first in line and meets every request from her instructor with a convincingly excited "I can do it!"

(balloon tap warm-up)

(parchute warm-up)

(trampoline work)

(forward roll)

(obsticle course)

(balance beam)

(teacher helping her with foot placement)

(bar work)

(they end each class with a swing and jump-off from the rope)

It Takes Two, Baby...

Practically a year to date from when we bought her tiny, shiny, red bike E has (almost) mastered it without training wheels!

("I'm 3 and I know how to ride my bike! TA-DA!")

Rosemary Biscuits

Need a little somethin' to take along for a summery picnic?



Rosemary Biscuits

• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 1/2 Tbs baking soda
• 1 Tbs sugar
• 1 Tbs fresh rosemary leaves chopped (or 1 1/2 tsp dried)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. In Cuisinart pulse all dry ingredients. Add rosemary, pulse quickly.
3. Cut butter into small cubes and then drop in using feed tube, blend until small crumbs form
4. Pour into large bowl, set asside
   
5. In small bowl whisk egg and buttermilk together, then add to dry ingredients, mix well
   
6. Turn dough out onto floured counter and knead several times, adding flour until not sticky
   
7. Roll into golf-ball-sized portions or use biscuit cutter
8. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet or parchment paper
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned on top, serve warm!

*this recipe comes from one of my all time favorite cookbooks; Simply Classic; A Collection of Recipes to Celebrate the Northwest (with a few of my own variations of course)

Date Night

This goes without saying, but we need these. All too often I find myself on auto-pilot; breakfast, comb hair, morning activity, lunch, nap, dinner, bath, bed. Notice anything in common? They all have to do with the kiddo!

Because I am left on my own as a single parent fairly often while D travels and such, it's just easier for me to rely on a system, a routine, that schedule I can count on each day. So when the opportunity actually presents itself and E's spending the night at my parent's house, I almost don't even know what to do. I feel all panicky.
Confession: The thought has actually crossed my mind, "What are we going to talk about?" Hello? Well, anyhow it doesn't take long for us to figure out how to go on a date without our child, and duh, we have a great time.

Last night, being the official day of Summer (according to the thermometer) was beautiful. We stopped in at The Wing Dome to split an order of wings and a burger out on their deck. Then off to Green Lake to walk off our sinfully-delicious-but-greasy-dinner, then back up to Greenwood for some organic gelato. IT WAS HEAVEN!

Now we're scheming a way to get one each week...

Kidz Love Soccer!

E now has soccer practice for 30 minutes every Friday afternoon throughout most of the summer, and she does love it. (Note to self: put sunscreen on her and myself; came home a lobster). In classic E fashion she was extremely anxious that her head coach was a man, and had a few nervous/tearful bouts when he blew his whistle, startling her. But she quickly warmed up, turning shadow to the female assistant and ended up really having a great time, learned quite a bit, and found that a little girl from across the street is on her team.

I Spilled the Beans!

While we were being checked out from our favorite bulk/specialty health food store this morning, the cashier was double checking that each of the twist-tie's were wound tightly on each of our plastic bags. Well, she musta twisted the wrong way, because as I was heaving the organic pinto beans above my head and almost to the highest shelf in our cupboard everything spilled out! Beans dancing and skipping around everywhere! (sigh) Like I needed yet another thing to clean up today...

Dump the Pump on June 19th

• Using public transportation, like Community Transit, not only saves you money on gasoline, parking and car repairs, it helps keep our Puget Sound air clean and clear, by reducing the harmful greenhouse gases emitted into our environment.

• Commuting to work, school, errands or shopping is also a relaxing way to get to your destination.

• When you leave your car at home and use public transportation, you’ll save money and the earth, and you’ll enjoy a stress-free commute!

• Community Transit encourages everyone to use public transportation for a safe, friendly, reliable ride to parks, playfields, games and pools. Don’t let rising gas prices get in the way of your summer fun.

*from Community Transit site

Loch Ness?

This evening I received this e-mail from some friends across The Sound:

"Hello friends,
...Perhaps you may assist me in identifying this washed up carcass? We were out for a walk at Fort Flagler (WA) today when we came across this fish/eel/dragon/swim for your life creature. Just look at those teeth!!! Any clues?"

Cree-py!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Into the Wild

It's been quite a while since a film has affected me so. Maybe it comes from being a parent, or maybe it comes from just being human; that natural separation that pulls you away from your own parents...or perhaps because it's based on a true story. Please make time to see this one, and let me know what you think.

Tot Garden Art

Although our weather doesn't show it, we've been gearing up for summery breezes for quite some time. This week I enrolled E into a tot garden art class for 3 to 5-year-old's, at a nearby community center. She had a great time each morning for 45 minutes creating something for our yard. Pottery flower pots and bird feeders, and a few colorful garden stakes that they were permitted to assemble with nails and hammers (oh the thrill!). She recently came down with a bout of the croup again so she had to stay home for the last 2 days, but is eagerly awaiting next session!

10 in 10 on 10 - June

Help

Free Movies!

If you're finding yourself bored (with all of this nasty weather and the kiddo's out of school for the summer) go to the movies!

SAM Outdoors

We decided to get some fresh air, and walk through the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park downtown. Small and large surprises were waiting for us around each corner. I particularly liked how these vibrantly red chairs played contrast to our gray day. Many of the instillation's are tucked alongside a winding pathway of flowers and foliage, so the contrast of shiny metal and concrete with nature was obvious. The family favorite though, I believe was the enormous curving and rusting iron panels slicing through a barren gravel floor. It reminded me of a shipyard; beauty long forgotten.