Mineral Point

We took the girls on a hike called Mineral Point. It was a 4 mile round trip hike which I thought my girls could handle. Only, I didn't plan on the wasp sting that LuLu got, on her neck, about one and a quarter mile into the hike. I wanted to see what mineral point was and ran until I got to this sign. I thought once we got to Mineral Point we would see Lost Lake. This sign states that Lost lake is still 3 1/2 miles from Mineral Point. I realized at that point we will have to give the trail to Lost Lake a try another time.

This trail was very fun and scenic. We went through patches of red cedar trees and then back out to the ridge where we could see Lake Pend Oreille.

Near the parking area is a location for camping and this beautiful beach.

New City

We moved to a city that has three grocery stores (not counting that big box store whose name I can't mention).  The dog was allowed to come with us.  The cat on the other hand was left in the caring hands of a good friend.  My husband thinks we should just sneak the cat here.  The town is on a lake, a big one.  Here we are at Garfield Bay, but without any lasagna or Odie.  We unpacked out belongings, met some of the neighbors, went swimming, hiking, biking, and got the kids enrolled and started at a new school.  I'm proud to be back in the potato state!

Sunny Baudelaire

My daughter went through a stage where she bit things. Random things, like the foam in her bike helmet, the nose on her stuffed elephant, and the Magic Eraser? What kid bites magic erasers? It reminded me of Sunny Baudelaire from the series written by Lemony Snicket. If you have a grade school aged youngster, these books may interest you, but "If you are interested in reading a book with a happy ending, you would be better off reading some other book." After reading the books we enjoyed the hilarious movie, where Jim Carey plays Count Olaf.

Swirling in terminology.

I need respite from the vast lexicon required for taking the GRE. Words like syncopated, venal, unstinting, sinuous, promulgate, and insipid are taking up space on my i-pod. I am too lethargic to deselect my podclass files. The girls are taking swimming lessons, we drive daily to town and on the way home, stop at the orchard to pick cherries. I feel relieved to have my test out of the way, but wish that I had a couple more months of preperation under my belt before I took it.

Here's to lovely summer evenings, I hope yours are great. Wouldn't it be fun to make a chair like this?

My First 5k!

I entered the local 4th of July 5k run. It was such a great run and my daughter joined me too! My man was kind enough to be my paparazzi. The course was down to the Columbia River and back. The weather was gorgeous. Here's wishing you all a spectacular 4th of July.

New?

My favorite cook book is Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  It's not really new, it was copyrighted in 1989. 
I love a good potato salad, not like the kind you buy at the store, too gooey.  I changed the recipe a bit to suit my tastes, but basically it's

Creamy Potato Salad
6 medium potato
2 stalks celery, diced
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 1/4 cup mayo
1 tbs vinegar
2 tsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 hard cooked eggs
chopped sweet or dill pickles

In a covered saucepan cook potatoes in boiling water for 20 to 25 minutes or till just tender; drain, cool.  Peel and cube potatoes.
In a very large bowl combine celery, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and chopped pickles.  Add potatoes and eggs.  Toss lightly to mix. Cover and chill for 6-24 hours. (If you are like me and want to eat it straight away go ahead- it's too good to wait that long!)

Summer time and the living is easy...

We are spending time with family, looking at the bluebirds that are nesting in the bird box, walking in the forest, and dipping our toes in the frigid, mountain run off, filled lake.

Spring in the Northwest

This bear came up to our neighbors house to sniff out their garabage. My daughters were playing outside when I heard screaming and then the dog barking. I jumped out of my chair, I was studying for the GRE, and ran outside as fast as I could. I thought something had happened to my youngest, the way the oldest was carrying on. I found all my children safe. They were in the bed of my husbands truck, and the dog chased the bear away. My oldest daughter had been yelling, "Brown bear," "Brown bear," and the dog had taken after it. I was sad that I didn't get to see it. We were standing outside for awhile and Lulu said, "There he is again." So we grabbed the camera and held onto the dog's collar so we could get this picture.

Refreshing

This is a list of Summertime Smoothies that can be enjoyed on a hot day.  The weather here is not cooperating.  It feels like it might snow, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying a glass. Today I had the grape banana smoothie.  It was luscious.  For each Smoothie listed below, mix all ingredients in a blender and serve in cups! Enjoy!
Grape Banana Smoothie

1 medium banana sliced
1/2 of 12 oz. can of grape juice concentrate or 1 cup grape juice
2 cups cold milk
2 cups ice cubes


Peach Smoothie

2 cups apple juice
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
1 banana
1 cup peach yogurt
1 1/2 cups frozen peach slices

Mango Smoothie

1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
1 banana
1 cup pineapple sherbet
1 1/2 cup frozen mango slice

Raspberry Smoothie

1 cup orange juice
1 cup rasberry yogurt
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
1 banana
1 1/2 cup frozen raspberries

Strawberry Lemon Smoothie
2 cups lemonade
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup strawberry yogurt

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
2 cups strawberries, frozen or fresh
1-2 bananas
1 1/2 cup juice
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups ice

Orange Julius
1/2 can frozen o.j. concentrate
1 1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups ice

Pina Colada
Bacardi frozen Pina colada
1 1/2 cup cold water
ice

Berry Blast Smoothie
1 cup apple juice
1 1/2 cup lemonade
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup raspberry sherbet

Tulip Girls

Lu Lu thought of this creative activity all on their own. Her older sister joined in to make one too. I love that the girl in the first picture even has petal slippers.

Hard Work

On our way to Twin Lakes this weekend, we passed Round Lake and saw the construction of some new tepees. The poles are stripped of bark except for the tops, which still have the needles, which adds a contrasting effect. They seem to glow in the setting sun.

Perennials

Venerate

Nature and all it's beauty, gets my deepest respect. The further from shore and the deeper the water, the bigger the exposure of tree roots. My daughters climbed under and through the roots. Sitting on top as if queens on thrones.

Foundation!

This is the foundation we found as the water level fell.
Education is a good foundation for life. This weeks quote comes from Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Ring around Lake Roosevelt

It looks like a big ring around the bathtub. The water is so low, that we did indeed, find the old town that was underwater. We use to be scared to swim out very far because we didn't know what was under the water, it was so deep and dark down there. Now I see, there was no reason to be scared. The only thing we found since the water abated were some rocks and tree stumps. Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I am currently studying for the GRE. That stands for: Graduate Record Exam, so I can apply to graduate school. There are three sections and I am terrified of the math! It's been so long since I was in math class. Hopefully it comes back to me, just like riding a bike, here's to wishful thinking!

Fun eggs!

I really want to try this version of eggs for our egg hunt this year.  What a riot it would be to see the girls eyes when they found these. 

Point of view

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. -Winston Churchill

The Lake is getting low!

Here is a comparison of the lake when the water is high and when the water is low. There are lots of rocks exposed and sometimes we walk and look for treasures. We have found rusted horseshoes, clams, balloons with their strings, rocks, shells, crayfish, an old rusted hot water heater. We imagine if it gets any lower we might see the old town that got swallowed up when they made the Grand Coulee Dam.

Dear Malfoy....

I found these notes after my girls played a game in which they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They say,

• "Dear Malfoy, Help! We got tied up by that girl that loves you. I'm stuck in the dungeons. From Goil and Crabb."

• "Dear Malfoy, The ball is tonight. Who are you going with? It is at 1:00. From, the Manager."

Rustic Cabin

To measure a man, measure his heart. -Malcolm Forbes

Emerging Spring

Put the uncommon effort into the common task. Make it large by doing it in a great way. -Orison Sweet Marden (1850-1924)

White Chili

I tested out a new recipe last month. I found this one in the Pillsbury Best of the Bake-off cookbook. My family is getting sick of my soup. I told them that once summer came, I won't make them anymore soup. I promise. I don't think I will make this again until next year. It was good, but not great and I had so much left over soup to eat all by myself. Also, my family might revolt if they see another avocado. They don't like those either. If you want to give it a try here is the recipe for White Chili with Salsa Verde:

Salsa Verde
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh tomatillos or 2 (11oz) cans tomatillos, chopped, well drained.
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 pickled jalapeno pepper chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp adobo seasoning or garlic powder
2 to 3 tbs lime juice

Chili
2 1/2 cups water
1 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp cumin seasoning
4 chicken breast halves cooked, chopped into cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup chopped onion
2 (9 oz.) pkg. shoepeg white corn (I used canned)
2 (4.5 oz.) cans chopped green chile's, undrained
1 tsp cumin
2-3 tbs lime juice
2 (15 oz.) cans great northern beans, undrained
2/3 cup crushed tortilla chips
1 1/2 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Combine all salsa ingredients in medium bowl; mix well. Refrigerate 30 minutes to blend flavors.
Meanwhile, in a large soup pot, combine chili ingredients, bring to a boil. To serve, place about 1tbs of tortilla chips and cheese in 8 individual soup bowls; ladle hot soup over cheese. Serve with Salsa.

This is my version of the soup topped with sour cream tomatoes and avocado. It's me breaking out of the recipe.

Attitude

Attitudes are contagious!  Is yours worth catching? -Author Unknown

Enjoying a Classic

In my queue: Little Dorrit; a rags to riches miniseries based on the novel by Charles Dickens.  I was searching for a good movie and this one had been nominated for an Emmy award.  I ordered the first disc to see if it was any good and now I have to wait for the next three discs which are in my queue. I recommend this series if you enjoy a good classic story.

Cat!

Kids art makes me smile. I love the colors. I love the faces. Under this picture the caption reads: "My cat goes on my part of the bunk bed." You can see the little cat on the bottom bunk, snuggling up to the little girl in the bottom bunk. So cute.