Strung out on Starbucks?!?!

I'm not really a green thumb, in fact, as much as I would like to be, I've never had huge success raising my own crop.  For years at our old house, I would plant 3 tomato plants and be happy if I got 10 tomatoes from each plant.    I considered that a fairly good job.

This year, we decided to build a little garden box and put in just a few of our favorite things:  Jalapeno peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce and a few herbs.   Never would have imagined it to look this just a few weeks:

The tomato plants have overpowered just about everything else in this little garden.  They are nearly as tall as me and there are so many flowers and little tomatoes growing, that I'm quite sure I could feed a small 3rd world country. 

My best guess as to why these tomatoes are thriving so exceptionally well.... Starbucks coffee.  I've enriched the garden with their 'give away grounds' a few times now....and I think they've gotten a bit stung out!!

Anyone have  really good salsa and spaghetti sauce canning recipes??

We Can Solve It

Here's a clip from Al Gore's more recent speech and his challenge to all Americans.  This is a call to change more than just our lightbulbs, but a call to start changing our laws.

To find out more about how we can get involved go to:

http://www.wecansolveit.org/content/homepage/

Elk

I've got another elk story - this time around not nearly as exciting though.  (However, being chased down the hiking trail by a male elk is nothing I'd like to relive again.) 

But tonight we drove to North Bend for ice cream and the 5 mile stretch between North Bend and Snoqualmie is home to some 200+ Roosevelt elk.  Now living in this area for about a year, I've only seen them one time (granted, I usually don't drive this highway too often) and Leif has never seen them.  But we've heard stories of these elk and how this patch of protected land has been their home for many, many years.

Well tonight after ice cream, we saw them and luckily had our camera in the car to capture a few photos and a closer look.  Really very beautiful animals!

How much is this blog worth???

It's priceless, I know that's what many of you are thinking to yourselves right now.  But actually, my blog is worth just a  bit.... and for some very strange reason, that is precisely the same amount that my sister's blog is worth.  But perhaps the stranger question is how on earth could anyone determine such a figure???

 

My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

 

Have a blog?  Click on the link above and check out how much your's is worth.

Spray park

The kids and I meet up with a bunch of our friends today at the new Bellevue water spray park.  The kids had so much fun running with their friends.  Here's Campbelle on top of what seemed to be a life size orca!!

Microsoft Picnic

Yesterday was the Microsoft company picnic.  It is always such a blast - the kids have an amazing time.  This year, I didn't feel up to the long, hot day of waiting in lines, etc... so Aunt Gina graciously offered to go with Leif and the kids.

Here are a few random photos of the days fun.  

 

 

Campbelle's favorite part was the pony rides and face painting.  Here she is giving her 'French look' - don't ask me what that  means, but the kid is seriously obsessed with all things French.  I guess she thinks all French girls have a bit of a worried, timid look??

Christian told me 'I didn't get my face painted mom, I'm just not into that kinda thing.'  Nope, that's definitely not his kinda thing.  He did however really like the bumper water cars because he could 'smash into people.'  Yep, his kinda thing.

 

Everyone was tired and worn out by the time they got home.  And quite possibly a bit delirious from all the ice cream I heard they ate!

Nursery is finished!

The baby's room is finished, and I have to admit, I really quite like it.  Since we know the baby is a boy, we've decided that Christian and he will be sharing rooms when the 'baby' moves to a big bed - and if this boy is anything like his climber big brother - that may happen within the next 18 months or so!!  (yikes).  So we decided that this room will serve two purposes over the next few years - baby's room and guest bedroom. 

You see that cute little chair?  That actually was my great-grandparents chair many, many years ago.  It has the original covering still intact - its a lovely vinyl with giant blue and green flowers.   (And maybe someday - if my decor allows -  it will make a reappearance in all its original glory.)  Gina has had it for several years, and through several upholstery changes before coming to reside at our house .  I purchased a curtain panel to match the crib bedding and recovered it myself.  While seamstress Gina, sewed these cute little pillows with the leftover material.

  My favorite part of this room is the mobile hanging above the crib. 

They are little Viking ships from Flensted mobiles.   It is a family operated business on a little island off Denmark that started in the 1950s.  They hand craft tons of different types of mobiles, exquisitely.   They are designed to be in constant motion, all the while maintaining perfect balance.  It really is very intriguing to watch, because if you look closely, it doesn't seem to be balanced at all!

Now, I doubt my newest little Norsk will understand all that - but you'd be amazed at how long the rest of us can sit and watch those darn little Viking ships float around!

So all is ready... except for the baby.  And we'll anxiously (and patiently) await his arrival!

Project Runway

Yeah!  Tonight is the 5th season premiere of Project Runway.  I love this show.  And to be  honest, I'm not really sure why.  I'm not really into fashion - one could guess that by spending a mere 15 seconds in my closet; I have no clue how to sew or create anything from fabric - aside from my potholder that was made in 7th grade home-ec class.  It just must be all the flamboyant contests and the really nice Tim Gunn that I'm drawn to.  If I could have anyone go through my wardrobe and give me fashion advice - it would be Tim Gunn.  He's just so darn kind and I pretty sure he wouldn't make me cry - like other fashion experts would. 

Anyway... it starts tonight and I can't wait to crawl into bed and watch.  (Oh, and Leif's super excited too - he thinks this season will be as 'fierce' as last season!!)

Check back tomorrow and I'll put my 2cents in as to who I think will win the whole thing!

Busy weekend

We had a really fun, busy weekend the past few days.  It started with a Girls Only and Boys Only Day on Saturday.  Campbelle and I spent the day together.  It started with breakfast at Starbucks (nice, I know) and then to see her beloved Kit American girl star in her very own movie, then lunch, shopping and finally to meet up with the boys at swimming lessons in the afternoon.

The movie was really very sweet.  It was Campbelle's first 'grown up' movie - that's what she calls it when it isn't a cartoon movie.  It had some real grown up messages revolving around 1930s depression era.  Campbelle had tons of questions about poverty, homelessness, hobos, etc....  some of it was a little beyond her 5 years, but I think she enjoyed it.  Plus it was Kit... and since the doll Kit actually got to go to the movie with us... it was especially fun for her.

Afterwards we did a little school shopping and Campbelle picked out her kindergarten backpack.  She's so proud and I've caught her checking herself out in the bathroom mirror with it on her back - several times in the past day!  Very cute.

Leif and Christian spent their Boys Only day at the Science Center building and racing Lego cars.  There is a speed exhibit going on and it sounded like they had a lot of fun.  They also went to some beaver movie at the IMAX - and based on how much Christian has talked about it and all the little unknown beaver facts that come from him - I'd say he really enjoyed it.  We have a little beaver, dam building, chewing down trees, expert on our hands!

Today we spent the day with our friends the Slaters at Gene Coulon Beach in Renton.  It was a perfect day to be building sand castles and playing in the water. 

This coming week the kids are in camp - Campbelle in Gymnastics Camp and Christian in Rescue Heroes camp... I may just attend a little Nap Camp myself over the next few afternoons!!

Baby Time

It is baby time at our house as the final countdown is on for Baby B #3.  And since we had gotten rid of all baby items  awhile ago (when we first thought we were done), we really didn't have a thing left over.  But fortunately we have some really fantastic friends that have either given or lent us some of their baby stuff.

And as I am getting things ready and washed up for this new little guy's arrival - they get filled with Campbelle's baby dolls quicker than I can blink an eye.  It has been like daycare central in our house for a few days now.... dolls everywhere!  I think they some how reproduce on their own...truly more baby dolls than I ever even realized she had, have shown up this week.

 

Once the real baby arrives, we might have to work out some type of rotation schedule to fit everyone's needs!!  :-)

This just might be heaven!

Jul 09

Clear   Hi: 79° Lo: 53°

Jul 10

Clear  Hi: 73° Lo: 47°

Jul 11
Fair  Hi: 74° Lo: 52°

Jul 12
Fair   Hi: 84° Lo: 55°

Jul 13

Clear   Hi: 80° Lo: 54°

Jul 14
AM Clouds   Hi: 74° Lo: 50°

Jul 15
Clear  Hi: 74° Lo: 52°

Jul 16
Fair   Hi: 76° Lo: 40°

Jul 17

Partly Cloudy    Hi: 64° Lo: 42°

Jul 18
Clear    Hi: 71° Lo: 48°

Summer picnics begin again!

One of my favorite summertime things to do is the Issaquah Tuesday Night Concerts in the park.  It is truly a highlight of the summer for the whole family.  Every Tuesday, there's a group of our dear friends that get together for the evening - it ranges from 6-16 of us.  We all gather around in our lawn chairs, enjoy each others' company and sip some nice white wine.   We always enjoy the music, and sometimes we even look in the direction of the band to see what they look like - and sometimes, with our ever lively conversation, the night just slips away and the band is packing up before we even realized it. 

And the best part, everyone brings a salad (or something) to share.  I believe I've said this before, but this is a very good group of people to be connected with - because all of the people in our group are really a bunch of gourmands... and bring some serious, out of this world, dishes to share.  It is fun to be friends with foodies!!  And this is not your mother's potato salad crowd!  :-)

The kids love it because they get to run around, dance like crazy and enjoy a perfect summer night as well.  The other cool thing, just across from where our group gathers is a little hill, and all the kids come to the picnic toting their cardboard boxes.  Some are decorated, some are pulled out of the community center recycle bin....some ever bring their sleds - but all slide (fairly well that is - but it does work a little better when your butt is actually on the cardboard - Christian).

And there's nothing that says summer quite like a dirty, grass stained kid with a smile from ear to ear!!

 

Oh, and in case you are wondering how I keep up with these excellent summer dishes that everyone brings - try this one:  It really is very good.

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta; about 8 ounces)
2 cups bagged prewashed baby spinach, chopped
1/2 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves
3 tablespoons chopped red onion
3 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
3/4 cup (3 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled and divided

Preparation

Cook the orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; rinse with cold water. Combine orzo, spinach, and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl.

Drain artichokes, reserving marinade. Coarsely chop artichokes, and add artichokes, reserved marinade, and 1/2 cup feta cheese to orzo mixture, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle each serving with remaining feta cheese.

(I usually double this recipe if making for more than 4).

Hey Tooth Fairy!!

Today, finally, after weeks and weeks of wiggling, Campbelle's first baby tooth fell out.  She was a bit scared but at the same time really wanted to be brave (also, the allure of the tooth fairly paying money for baby teeth was very intriguing to her).

Now that it's all said and done, she's all smiles and is extremely proud of herself.

(There's actually a big tooth already coming up from behind that now can hopefully move into place.) 

And in Campbelle's words this morning, "I really could just become a grown up already.  I make healthy choices with food, I can ride my bike without training wheels, I can do the monkey bars on my own, and now I'm getting grown up teeth.  I really could just be a grown up!" 

 

Yep, that's really all there is to it honey!!  :-)

Strawberries and Meringue Cream Layer Cake

This is a very good, summer time dessert.  I made it over the weekend and added some blueberries for a 4th of July feel.  For those Norwegians who know it, it's very similar to 'World's Best Cake' .

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

scant 1/2 cup very soft unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

scant 1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 pint strawberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line, butter and flour two 9-inch springform pans.

Combine the flour, cornstarch and baking powder into a bowl.

Cream the butter and 1/3 cup of the sugar in another bowl until light and fluffy. Separate the eggs and beat the yolks into the butter and sugar, saving the whites to whisk later. Gently fold in the measured-out dry ingredients, add the vanilla, then sir in the milk to thin the batter. Divide the mixture between the two prepared springform pans.

Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add the remaining sugar. Spread a layer of meringue on top of the sponge batter in each pan and sprinkle the almonds evenly over.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, by which time the top of the almond-scattered meringues will be a dark gold. Let the cakes cool in their tins, then spring them open at the last minute when you are ready to assemble the cake.

Whip the cream, and hull and slice the strawberries; that's to say, the bigger ones can be sliced lengthwise and the smaller ones halved. Invert one of the cakes on to a plate or cake stand so that the cake crumb is uppermost. Pile on the cream and stud with the strawberries, letting some of the berries subside into the whipped whiteness. Place the second cake on top, meringue upwards, and press down gently, just to secure it.

If you've got any more strawberries in the house, hull and halve them, and serve them in a dish to eat alongside; it gives the cake a more after-lunch, less afternoon-tea kind of a feel, but it's hardly obligatory.

Serves 8.

A Happy 4th of July

We had a really nice 4th of July yesterday... but unfortunately we didn't take many pictures - which is really so unlike me.  We started off the day with a visit the the Snoqualmie 'Old Fashioned 4th of July' celebration.  It was really a fun time, with tons of rides, bouncy houses, face painting, pony rides, etc...  the kids loved it and would have like to stay for hours longer.  But unfortunately, their very pregnant mother needed a nap. 

We did happen to take a few pictures of Campbelle rock climbing.  She was super excited about it in the beginning, and was really quite sure of herself and making it to the top.  But once her feet got higher than Leif's head, her little knees started to shake so badly and she decided that for 5 years old, this would be high enough.  

And then after that (and after a quick nap for myself), we went over to our friends the Hardwick's for a nice, relaxing BBQ and fireworks show.  The kids loved playing with their friends, and Leif and I enjoyed a really great evening. 

This photo of the kids once home - about 11:30pm - will have to attest for all the fun that was had!  :-)

The kids thought themselves pretty lucky to be able to celebrate 2 times - first for 'Norway Day' and now for 'America Day'.  Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Smart phones = Smart kids (???)

"Hey Christian, what are you doing?"

"I'm emailing pappa and looking at my calendar."

"Duh mom, it's a smart phone!"

So smart, that it apparently becomes a Nintendo DS when he uses his red 'stick'. Oh well, what are you gonna do, times - they are a changin'!! (Leif was so proud that he didn't say it was an I-Phone.)

The Case of the Missing Toilet Paper

On Saturday, we were running dangerously low on toilet paper in the house.  With no plans for a trip to Costco in the coming days, I phoned Leif who had taken the kids swimming, and asked him to pick up a package of toilet paper along with something for dinner at the local grocery store.  He came home with a 36 roll package of toilet paper.  I saw it.  It was sitting on near the steps for someone to take upstairs and put in the laundry room.  That was 5 days ago. 

During the middle of the last night, I made one of my many frequent trips to the bathroom (this baby is squishing every bit of me) and low and behold - no more toilet paper.  None in the TP holder, none under the shelves that I could reach.  So the only thing I could do was call for Leif to bring me some more.  Leif, at 3:30in the morning, is not angry or crabby or short with me, he's actually kinda comical.  He walks around, still 80% sleeping I'm quite sure, looking for toilet paper.  He comes back empty handed.  Certain that it's because he is 80% still asleep - I do my business with tissue paper and go look for myself. 

The toilet paper is nowhere to be found.    Let me remind you, this isn't a small 4 roll package that could easily be misplaced, or put into the freezer by a pregnancy brained woman, it was the giant, could take the place of a chair, 36 roll package.  No where.

I went to bed - still troubled by having looked every where imaginable - but comforted by the thought that surely the kids are behind this disappearance and will be able to shed some light on the situation in the morning. 

8:30 am - we literally have 1/2 roll of toilet paper to share between the 3 bathrooms.  I ask the kids where it is, and neither of them have a clue.  I am inclined to believe them too.  They are usually pretty good about knowing where things are in this house.    I drill Campbelle so more.  "Are you sure you didn't use it when playing dolls.  Like maybe make the package into a bed or something."  (She is very into making sure all her dolls have a separate, cozy spot to sleep.  And she has allot of dolls.)  She replied, "No mom, I have no idea where the toilet paper is, but that's not a bad idea to use it to make a baby's bed.  It would make a really soft bed."  (Note to self, remember that for future missing toilet paper rolls). 

And now, at 11:00am , toilet paper still missing.  We are making an unexpected trip to Target today.  To get some more toilet paper.  This situation has become less comical to me, as I've searched every inch of this house and nothing, with the exception of some stray Lego pieces and Polly pocket shoes have turned up.  Can a 36 roll package of toilet paper really just disappear?  Would someone come into our house and steal only toilet paper?  Did Christian secretly unroll and flush it all away one quiet afternoon?   The mystery goes unsolved.  I wish I was ready to just let it go, but my mind simply can not.

Any ideas??