The sun breaketh through!

After planting tons of seeds last week, the sun decided to go on an extended vacation, and the rain moved back in. Today, the sun decided to poke through the clouds for a visit. We grabbed our shovels, trowels, and bags of soil and headed to the garden. Today, we repotted the orange tree in the green house and transplanted the small pots of cherry tomatoes from my kitchen windowsill to big pots in the green house. Some of the seeds we planted last week, the spicy lettuce mix and radishes, are already sprouting. We transplanted the Brussel sprouts, oregano, and some more marigolds from the green house to the garden. Why so many marigolds in the garden? They protect many plants from the attack of nematodes. Then it was time to hit the river trail for a nice long walk in the sunshine. It was one of those spring days when the jacket goes on and off every ten minutes, but ah sun! Ari and I went to see the new Jane Eyre film at the movies. It was awesomely good! Check it out. In cooking news, we are loving the rhubarb season. Last night, we had Dingle pies with oven roasted spuds and a rhubarb-strawberry pie with a lattice top. Delish! Next up for the rhubarb, an apple rhubarb tart.

Oscar Night down on the Funny Farm

We had our annual Oscar night appetizer dinner last night. Here's the champagne, soda, shrimp, and stuffed mushrooms,

Accompanied by mini crab cakes, flatbread sandwich rolls, artichoke spinach dip, smoked salmon spread, cukes, roasted peanuts, ham roll-ups, pretzel sticks, crackers, flax chips, a trio of tasty sauces, and (not pictured) lemon chocolate drizzle cookies.

Anni watching the Oscars. She liked the music.

Alex and Ari watching the Oscars. They were pulling for our favorite movie of the year: The King's Speech. We all think Geoffrey Rush got gipped. He was fab!

Julie Ann's Day Off

I declared time off for my own good behavior today. I took a break and did things I wanted to do, on my own time table. This is a very unusual occurrence. I made this decision after having to get up twice in the 6 am hour to deal with animals!

So what did I do today? First, I wore girly, nonpractical, nonfarming clothing, complete with heels and jewelry. I headed to our down town area for a strong cup of organic fair trade espresso in my ceramic reusable coffee mug. I had to park 9 blocks from the coffee shop since I forgot the classic car show had taken over most of down town.

Coffee in hand, I checked out the restored coupes, minis, model cars, classic, low-riders, and trucks. They were awesome! During the wandering, I came across Sweet Treats, our local cupcake shop. After savoring a mini tuxedo cupcake, I bought a half dozen to take home to the rest of the funny farmers.

Then it was time to check out our yearly town festival, lots of crafts, interesting munchies, and friendly local business people. My find of the fest, hand made ribbon and charm book marks, a must for all bibliophiles!

After hiking back up the hill (in the girly heels!), I stopped to get coffee for farmers David and Ari and headed back to the funny farm where I traded in the girly clothes for the grubbies. I spent a blissful hour and a half weeding, watering, and generally puttering around in the garden. (ok, ok, you can't totally take the farmer out of this female.)

After a quick washup, it was time to redon the fancies and head out for lunch at one of my favorite Thai restaurants. Then I read a novel for an hour in the sunshine with a big relaxed smile plastered across my face (bliss).

Just before 4 o'clock, I met my friend Lisa at the cinema to watch Inception which we both really enjoyed. And finally determined not to let housework intrude on my day off, I ordered a pizza for the family's dinner.

I should take a day off more often. It was a little slice of heaven (and a big slice of veggie pizza).

Weed!

Okay, that title should be weeding, but hey made you look! Today was the perfect day to spend out in the garden doing the least favorite task. It was overcast but not too cool. All the damp Seattle summer has made for a bumper crop of weeds. I pulled up eleven (yes that's 11) wheelie buckets full of them today! Three from the front flower beds and 8 from along the back fence line, including the ginormous dandelions that were hiding behind the berry patch. I sure hope I can move my back tomorrow.

Speaking of the berry patch, it's taking off! Today, we harvested strawberries, raspberries, and the first of the blue berries. We had the former as part of our shortcake dessert tonight. The other two kinds went on pancakes this morning. Yum! I love berry season.

We finally made it to our local Wednesday farmer's market. It used to be really, really small, but now has lots of variety. Of all things, we found a gal who sold British sausages and bacon made on her local farm. Among the other highlights were the Philippine lumpia stand and a local jewelry artist whose silver and natural gemstone work is exquisite!

Since Ari and I were soooooo tired from going to the midnight showing of Eclipse last night (our fav of the 3 movies so far), Alex and David commandeered the kitchen tonight. While they made tostadas with all the trimmings. Us girls: read a book, drank a latte, and built a tower out of Lego. Just try to guess which girl did what.

Alert: Check tomorrow's post for a special photo!

Extra! Extra!

Children Consumed by Metallic Swirls. This week has been a swirl and a blur down on the Funny Farm. Here are the kiddles at the Ballard Lock swirls. The sockeye salmon were running through the fish ladder when we visited. We also saw a very determined heron strike it lucky and nab some fish!

Life Is a Blur. Here are the kiddles blurrily walking through the park near the Lock. Anni had cardiac and sleep studies this week; so our schedule was very wonky this week.

More News from the Farm:

Chickens Enjoy Campout Under the Stars. The chicks spent their first night outside in the coops. They were not eaten by racoons. Yeah!

Bumper New Potato Crop. Farmer Julie Ann harvested over a hundred white, red, and purple new potatoes. Some potato plants were removed to make room for the pumpkins!

Refridgerator Threatens to Explode! The family fridge is buldging with harvested fruits and veggies. Zucchini now occupy the entire bottom of the fridge. And tomato season is just around the corner! Tomorrow the funny farmers will be baking zucchini bread and simmering veggie-heavy spaggehiti sauce. Should the fridge blow, please send rescuers with veggie baskets!

Farmhouse Gets New Dishwasher. The funny farmers cook alot! They make lots of dishes! They wash lots of dishes. The old dishwasher was an energy and water hog (and noisy to boot!). The new energy star model uses only a third of the energy and water and is very quiet. Now, we can hear ourselves sing as we clean up the kitchen. (Mmm, maybe that's not such a good thing!)

Funny Farmers Give Thumbs Up to the New Harry Potter Movie. Alex liked the action, and Ari thought the romance was funny.

Family Loves Dinner Recipe! The funny farm family loved this new Julie Ann recipe.

Seared Scallops with Snow Peapods

1 pound of large scallops

salt and pepper

1 strip of cooked bacon

2 Tbsp virgin olive oil

1/2 pound snow peapods

1/4 cup of roughly chopped chives (or mild green onion tops)

Garlic Citrus Vinegrette

1 and 1/2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

6 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp lime juice

Optional: 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Coarse salt and pepper to taste.

1) Make vinegrette first. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar & mustard. Add olive oil whisking to blend. Add garlic, lime, cilantro, and season with salt and pepper.

2) Next heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in saute pan over medium heat. Add bacon strip to pan for 1 minute to season oil.

3)Season scallops with salt and pepper on both sides. Add to pan and sear for about 1 minute per side, until golden brown. Remove and keep warm.

4) In same pan, heat remaining olive oil over medium. Add peapods and chives (green onion) and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of vinegrette and toss to cover.*

5) Serve scallops atop the peapods.

We served this with a simple dish of radishes and a platter of summer fruit.

*You will have extra vinegrette. This is delicious on salads and brushed on grilled bread for sandwiches.

Enjoy!

News Blurt

Time to play catch up on the news for the last few days:

On Mother's day, I went to see Star Trek with my friend Lisa. It was a blast. I loved the action scenes and the casting of the characters was spot on. The new Dr. McCoy was especially awesome!

With the help of Lisa and her truck, we brought home my new red love seat for the downstairs family room. Now we can all sit down at the same time! Yea! Before, it was a constant game of musical chairs.

Then Ari and I had lunch at the British Pantry restaurant; fish and chips of course! I even had a pickled onion! Delish!

My brush with the stinging nettles is finally starting to subside. Motto of this adventure: Never let your dog run through the nettles and then give you luvies.

Yesterday, we purchased all the supplies for our chick brooding box. We're building it tomorrow, and the chicks arrive on Friday!

Today, we tested out some of Anni's new computer software. She also played a fun game of where is the kitchen gear with her OT.

The weather has decided to turn back to cold and stormy again. Are we ever going to get a string of spring? My tomatoes are not happy! The lettuces are abundantly happy!

The race is on...

Here's Julie Ann on Greenie, pedaling around the track.

Will she catch her archrival?

Anni on the super trike?
Go girl go!

Today, we made pecan waffles with honey for breakfast.
Then we went out for coffee prior to watering and weeding.
Next, it was time off for biking!
The older farmers and I went to see Monsters versus Aliens in 3-D.
We finished up our Sunday with a backyard BBQ.

And the snow comes down all around!

It was a hail-filled, snowy, windy, rainy, hail-again, sunny day today.

Winter is holding on the the bitter cold end!

Movie Reviews:

1) The Watchman-David: Graphically violent, and kind of dumb.*

2) Slumdog Millionaire-Alex, Ari and Julie Ann: we all loved it, a movie that shows extreme poverty and the power of the human spirit.****

Out on disc reviews:

1) Castle in the Sky - Alex: I love this Anime adventure****

Mom: The high-pitched soundtrack grates like nails on a chalkboard.*

2) Dan in Real Life- Mom: A fun look at family dynamics***

3) Bella-Mom: A positive look at Latino families and the power of a friend.***

4) Lars and the Real Girl-Mom: My favorite film of the bunch! How a delusional man is treated in a small town.*****

Yesterday, we went to a local mall where about 800 kids were helping to build a gigantic lego R2D2. Alex looked at the crowd and decided to build his own! We also had a nice cruise around our favorite used bookstore.

Today, it was back to the grindstone. We did our school work! Anni also had swimming. She ran from the pool building to the car, it was 30 degrees! Tonight is supposed to be VERY chilly one. Think warm thoughts for us as we want to plant our garden soon!

Sunday Fun

Today, this farmer headed to the gym for a workout. I did the treadmill, ellipse, and exerbike today (phew!). I've got to get ready for bike riding. This time, I'm determined to stay upright!

Later this afternoon, the older future farmers and I went to the movies. After being out voted (I wanted to see Slumdog Millionaire), we went to see Coraline. This magical fairytale, written by Neil Giaman and directed by Tim Burton, had just the right blend of originality and creepiness. It was terrific!

We see in the weather forecast that Colchester is scheduled for snow this week. Have you got your sleds ready?