Remaking and hip hop!

We've been busy down on the funny farm this weekend. All the garden fruits and veggies needed to be recharged with some fresh compost. So, there was the turning of the compost, the shoveling of the compost, the spreading of the compost, the watering of the postcomposted plants, the splitting and repotting of the aloe vera plants and then an afternoon nap for all the farmers! Phew!

We also hit the farmers' market yesterday morning for tomatoes, broccoli, sweet pea flowers, and a very cool pendant for Alex, made by one of my favorite market artisan, Stephanie of Ponder Press. It's shaped like a shield, inset with his school colors, gold and black. Go mighty Vikings!

We've been doing lots of arts and crafts this summer, part of our new goal: Be remakers instead of new consumers or destroyers. The idea is to repurpose stuff you already have, might be tired of, or is wearing out, into new items that you really like. We'll be posting pics of some of our remade items over the summer.

Alex was continuing in the artsy mode today with his drawing class at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.

Anni and I dug into the craft bin and decided to make a very cute purse:

Side 1

We took a rounded wooden clasp box, painted the outside black (with leftover acrylic paint), added dotty scrap paper and leftover black velvet ribbon. Then, we decided to have some fun. We added scrap velcro to the front, back and inside, and attached felt flowers, a wooden flamingo, and a felt bird cage. The additions can be mixed and matched to a unique look. The ones not in use can be conveniently stored inside.

Anni loves her new purse!

 Side 2

Inside

Tomorrow, we'll paint the inside of the purse, after the outside glue is completely dry. Anni already has her eye on some more items in the craft bin as possible future additions.

As many of you already know, I love to dance! Usually, I Celtic modern, ballet, or belly dance, but lately, I've been kicking my heels out. I've been enjoying Zumba with its latin rhythms, and tonight, I took my first hip hop class. It was a blast!Tomorrow, I'm trying a Tease class, va-va-voom!

Happy Beginning of July

The sun has finally reached the Pacific Northwest, and it decided to stick around for awhile. We're loving it; even when we grumble that the house is too warm in the evening! So what have we been up to?

Gardening of course! Berry season is in full swing. Almost all of our different berry bushes are producing. We have an abundance of raspberries, boysenberries, marionberries, blueberries, strawberries, and even a few jostaberries and black currants. The blackberries will be along in a few weeks. We're also seeing our first green beans of the season, and yesterday, I harvested 3 yellow teardrop tomatoes!

What is this patient girl waiting for? Dinner of course! We've been favoring simple dinners in the heat. This one is a ginormous garden salad with coastal shrimp added and a rounds of garlic bread from our favorite local bakery.

What's going on here? The raspberry bush in engulfing farmer Julie Ann. Help!

Where did she go? Oh, no! The raspberries have exacted their revenge! Even the dog looks worried.

This week Ari had to go to Shelton, WA for a training. I went along too, and while she was training, I found a cool bookstore and an enormous bead warehouse to explore. Now, I have the yearning to remake some of my old jewelry. Crafting is cool! (Even on a very hot day like it was) After the train, we continued west all the way to the Pacific Ocean! It was gorgeous on the beach, even the water was warm (very rare here!) We had a lovely lunch and walk amongst the surf before heading the Prius back home.

We celebrated the holiday with a backyard bar-be-que and lots of fun decorations. We also went to see the new Lone Ranger movie. We liked its humor.

 The Independence Day BBQ: Ribs rubbed with dry rub, slow grilled, and slathered in BBQ sauce,

 Corn on the cob with butter and garden oregano, homemade potato salad, organic watermelon, and

Anni's favorite - red, white, & blue cupcakes, full of garden berries. We hope you all had a great 4th of July!

A new post, finally!

Okay, okay, I know it's been a L___O___N___G time since last we blogged, but we've been really, really busy with all our harvest activities.

Lisa, Ari, and I went east of the Cascade Mountains to visit the Yakima Pepper Market for our yearly stock up of heat. We now have peppers for those who like them mild (the girls) to those that like them screaming hot (David/Alex). We also visited several wineries to sample the harvest and purchase a few of our favorites. The Yakima Valley is beautiful this time of year.

The next weekend Anni and I visited one of our favorite farms, the Jones Creek Farm, up by Sedro Woolly. We picked organic Liberty apples from the orchards, visited with the farmers, and snapped up some homemade local soaps. On the way back, we stopped at another apple farm for apple cider and crab apple jelly. Finally, we made a pits top at the Potato Station for local spuds.

Anni has been enjoying lots of arts and crafts lately. Last fall, we dried apple gourds. This fall, we're painting them and turning them into bird houses. Can you tell, we've been working on an apple theme?

David has been working hard on all his classes. Here he is studying.

Dun, dun...
Dun, dun...
Dun, dun, doodleloo...

Nope, not a shark, but a wisteria that's trying to move indoors, through our front door! Anyone seen the shears?

Fun and more fun

Yesterday, we all had a special treat. We,along with good friend of the fam Lisa, went to see the brand new musical based on The Christmas Story (movie) at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle. It was spectacularly good! And the theatre was ornately gorgeous with beautiful Asian paintings and carvings. We had a wonderful time riding the bus into Seattle (Anni's favorite part), having lunch at Rockbottom brewery (Alex's favorite part), seeing the show (my fav), getting coffee (Ari's favorite) and a cookie (David's fav) before heading home.

And just because we could all could use some more fun, it's time to play everyone's favorite game....
What's in Anni's Purse Today?

Here is Anni's new owly purse. It's not much bigger than a paperback novel. What was inside today?

(See below)

A holiday bell, a teapot lid, a dog and its bowl, a rooster, a goat, a mouse, a rabbit and a cow, a person, a doll, a fairy, a princess, and a penny, 2 piggies, 2 sheep, 2 cats, 2 cars, and 2 prehistoric beasties, 3 horses, 3 building blocks, and 7 trees! I really looked for the partridge in a pear tree, but I think she might be saving that for later in the season.

Good Cheer!

Congratulations!

We've been celebrating lots of achievements over the past week. So, here are our shout outs:

Congratulations to Ariana for pulling A's in both of her college classes this past quarter!

Congratulations to Alex for making the pet parade with WAVA for his chicken coop and egg tending duties!

Congratulations to Anni for meeting many of her achievement goals this quarter!

Congratulations to writing pals, Lisa and Judith, for sending out their stories!

And finally Congratulations to hubby, David. We made to the 30 year mark! (And had a wonderful anniversary celebration)

Fall Fun and Buns of Aluminum

This weekend the funny farmers had lots of fun. On Saturday, we went to Full Circle Farm's annual Hog and Grog celebration at the farm. It was terrific, a potluck to beat all potlucks, with the farm folks providing BBQ pork and the brews. There were hayrides, live music, and plenty of muddy fields to explore! The weather this year was beautiful (unlike last year when it poured bucket loads!). Full Circle is the provider of our beautiful CSA boxes.

We also went to the Saturday farmer's market. We saw a huge and lovely pumpkin for only $4. "I'll take it," I said, not thinking of how I was going to get it all the way back to my prius in the parking garage. It weighed a bleepin' ton! I think my arms are both 6 inches longer now.

Also at the market, we found local tuna, peach syrup (perfect for wholewheat pancakes), apples, Asian pears, onions, delicata squash, a beautiful orange squash that looks like a little turban (but I don't know the name), ground cherries, cucumber, potatoes, and a huge bouquet of fall flowers in a real pumpkin vase.

On Sunday, Ari and I went to a writing session at the library with many of our fellow writers. It great to just sit and write. I added to three of my stories! Woohoo! We also weeded the garden and planted all the spinach seedlings to the garden.

I decided it was time for this funny farmer to start working out again. After all, the holiday baking season is nearly apon us. I made it to the gym yesterday and today. So far, I have 5 miles running, 6 miles on the ellipse, 3 miles on the cardiobike, and 15,000 lbs lifted on the weight machines. I hope I can move tomorrow.

Fall Arriveth!

Well, we know fall has finally fallen. We turned on the heat last night. And today we went sock shopping. Ari and Anni also needed new shoes, rainproof. Though it's cool, there's still a fair amount of sun for which my veggies are very grateful.

The future farmers are participating in the International Peace Project curriculum, and to that end..

Does anyone know why we had a dinner of BBQ Pork sandwhiches and sweet potato fries yesterday and Aloo Gobi (using potatoes from our garden and a cauliflower from the farm box) and chicken tomato (garden, of course) curry tonight?

Yesterday, was Jimmie Carter's birthday. We learned about his work, post presidency, with Habitat for Humanity and international human rights. And today would have been the birthday of Gandi. We learned about his struggle to bring independence and human rights improvements to India. Coming up later this month is the Children's Day of International Peace and Understanding.

Gorillas, Castles, and Produce, Oh my!

Here are mom and baby gorilla having a forage through the straw.

Alex's most excellent card castle. Is this reminiscent of Gormenghast?

The CSA farm box arrived yesterday. This one had crimini mushrooms, chantrelle mushrooms, oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, eggplant, cucumber, white carrots, leek, nectarines, apples, peaches, pears, and a melon. It was a bit heavier that usual in the fruit department. You'll see why below...

The garden continues to spew forth veggies! Here was Tuesday's harvest: 2 yellow summer squash, 2 zucchini, tomatillos, tomatoes, parsley, sage, thyme, basil, greem and burgandy beans, chives, baby carrots, and a few raspberries, and blackberries.

Last night for dinner, we made a delicious green chili stew with pork and 14 veggies. It was delicious!

Sun, Teatime and Stitches

What's that shiny orb in the sky? OMG! It's the sun!!! We've had afternoon sun for 3 days in a row! We've had walks, hikes, and romps in the park. I'm sorely tempted to plant something in the garden, but then I checked the weather forecast for the weekend; another chance of lowland snow on the higher hills (that's us!). So, I guess my rhubarb will have to wait another week before it gets to sink it's roots.

Today, I let Anni chose the dinner menu. She wanted a teatime. So, we had smoked salmon spread, a basketful of crackers, ham and cheese slices, cukes and toms, potato chips, and a marizipan cake, and a big pot of tea. Anni loves tea!

This evening I joined my friend Lisa and some other ladies for a stitching session. I hadn't cross-stitched anything for a LONG time, but I didn't forget how. It was fun to sit and chat with the other folks, while trying to see the stitches.

100 Resolution Meme challenge

Lisa sent this to me and I'm answering the challenge. The bolded items are things we've done.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars - all those college and post-college camping trips. (I prefer a cabin though.)
3. Played in a band - I played in the first years recorder band and Ari has played with several string orchestras
4. Visited Hawaii - not yet.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity - fatal financial flaw.
7. Been to Disneyland/world - my high school had grad night there! David and Ari have been, but not yet for Alex or Anni.
8. Climbed a mountain - David and I have done several. Alex has done Mt. Index. Ari says she's staying grounded. Anni concurs.
9. Held a praying mantis - and several other way cool insects at the Victoria Bug Zoo.
10. Sung a solo - a memories of our neighborhood talent shows on Lakeside Drive, Ipswich.
11. Bungee jumped - not sure about this one.
12. Visited Paris - several times.
13. Watched lightning at sea - David has this one covered via the coast guard.
14. Taught myself an art from scratch - I paint. Anni sings up a storm. Alex can build anything with blocks.
15. Adopted a child - no more room at the ranch.
16. Had food poisoning - many thank to Taco del Mar.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -David tried, but it was closed due to 9/11.
18. Grown my own vegetables - oh yeah baby, see the blog for the 2007 list!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - It's small and dark.
20. Slept on an overnight train - the cabins feel like the Mona Lisa.
21. Had a pillow fight - one word: sisters!
22. Hitchhiked - nada on this onw.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - do mental health holidays count?
24. Built a snow fort - we lived in Alaska. We built a snow everything!
25. Held a lamb - We did this in Wales, lots of sheep and lambs.
26. Gone skinny dipping - does a 3 second dip into Loch Ness count?
27. Run a Marathon - I've done nine, including Boston. I think my knees are done now.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - nope, but we'd love to.
29. Seen a total eclipse - yep!
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - the mountain top ones are our favorites.
31. Hit a home run - David has this one down. He was a slugger on the CG softball team.
32. Been on a cruise - David went on many for the CG and one fun one to the Bahamas.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors - we've done the British side of the family.
35. Seen an Amish community - my junior year of high school in Penn.
36. Taught myself a new language - I speak very rudimentary Tglingit.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - money's not our folly.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - not yet
39. Gone rock climbing - yep, Alaska has great rocks.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - at a special exhibit at the Louvre.
41. Sung karaoke - Ari did this one!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - the Oregon coast.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - All the girls yes, boys no.
47. Had my portrait painted - perish the thought!
48. Gone deep sea fishing - David with his Grandpa when he was a kid. We also dove for fish and shellfish.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - during the 100th anniversary, it was very lit up.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - yep and yep, in Washington & Alaska.
52. Kissed in the rain - we lived in Washington and Alaska, enough said.
53. Played in the mud - see above.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - our favorite date night destination while in high school.
55. Been in a movie - Alex and Ari have both been in video productions of their plays.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - my little gift basket business in Eureka.
58. Taken a martial arts class - Ari and I took Tae Kwan Do.
59. Visited Russia -
60. Served at a soup kitchen - we helped out with Tent City 4.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - myself, with sisters, and with Anni.
62. Gone whale watching - orcas, greys, and narwhales.
63. Got flowers for no reason - does a bouquet of dandelions count?
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - regular donars for a long time.
65. Gone sky diving - intentionally? are you serious?
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check -just one?
68. Flown in a helicopter - David has several times.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - Anni still has my Maryanne doll.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - several times.
71. Eaten caviar - too salty for me.
72. Pieced a quilt - does one quilt square count? I did a very simple patchwork one while a gir scout.
73. Stood in Times Square - crowds, lights, noise, and taxi cabs!
74. Toured the Everglades -
75. Been fired from a job -
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - many times while wondering around London.
77. Broken a bone - David and I have both broken our left wrists. Anni has had a broken jaw.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - is 35 mph speeding?
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book - some day, soon I hope.
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car -Ford, Honda, Honda, Honda, Toyota.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper - David and I got presidential physical fitness awards while in Alaska.
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House - not cozy at all.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - lots of fish, crab, and a few deer. (Alaska, remember?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - David and I were first responders on a traffic accident in 1997.
90. Sat on a jury - several times.
91. Met someone famous - we've met several actors, authors, and politicians.
92. Joined a book club - several over the years, none at the moment.
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - 3 in fact.
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - no, but David has swum in the Great Sultan Sea, the Atlantic and the Pacific. I've dipped in Loch Ness and the North sea too.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit - yep, on behalf of Anni.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee - great to find out that I'm allergic!
100. Ridden an elephant - with Ari when she was 3 at Marineworld, USA.