On the nightstand...

Currently reading Charles and Emma The Darwins' Leap of Faith. Written by Deborah Heiligman. On the jacket flap, the author is described as having majored in religious studies. She married a science writer and fell in love with science, too. In this book she combines her interests in science, religion, and her belief in the importance of human connection.

I am really enjoying reading about Charles Darwin and how thoughtful and kind he was to his wife and children. One of my favorite quotes from the book comes from something Charles wrote to Emma:

I wish you knew how I value you; and what an inexpressible blessing it is to have one whom one can always trust, one always the same, always ready to give comfort, sympathy and the best advice. God bless you, my dear, you are too good for me. ~1859

If only we could all show such love and respect to differing points of view like Charles and Emma did.

Off To The Races

Mountain bike racing looks really challenging. The steep climb, dusty single track, and flying downhill at breakneck speed. We went to Lewiston to cheer on the participants in the Devil's slide race. We are huge fans of one rider in particular... the man of our house! The girls and I love to climb up the hill and find a spot to cheer him on. It's kind of like our own mini version of the tour de France except they don't ride road bikes, and it only last a couple of hours. Maybe at the next race I should bring a bright colored sign to wave and a cow bell to ring, but I promise I won't be sporting any helmet with antlers.

Lewiston, ID

This was a spontaneous picture of my girls climbing on rocks during our recent trip to Lewiston Idaho. They love to explore together and are best friends. (Most of the time). They have their fair share of squabbles and arguments as I am sure all sisters do. I cherish my sisters, but it wasn't until I was off on my own that I appreciated them like I should.

Eat it up!

I have never loved cooking. I use to try when I was young, to make cookies... but my brothers seemed to have a cookie sonar and came running with spoons in hand to eat the dough. I tried cake, but managed to put in too much baking soda, or powder or too much of both. That stuff was discouraging. Then I heard a quote by Bob Hurley the basketball coach for St. Anthony High School in Jersey City. His 2007-08 team, which went 32-0, was featured in the documentary "The Street Stops Here" on PBS this week. He told his players, "Take something you can't do and turn it into a strength." I instantly thought about cooking. That is something I am turning into a strength. I thought I would occasionally share with you recipes that I come across. This feature will be titled, "Eat it up!"



Egg Salad Sandwich- (can be *chicken or tuna*)

• 5 large eggs

• something crunchy: celery, apple, radishes or 1/2 cup sweet or dill pickle

• something oniony: 1/4 small red onion, 2 scallions, or 1 large shallot

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• salt and pepper

• bread

*Boil eggs for fifteen minutes
*Cool and peel them
*Chop the eggs

*While the eggs cook, chop "something crunchy." Add 1/2 cup to a bowl. Chop whatever onion you choose and add to the mix. Add the mayo and salt and pepper.

*Add eggs to the bowl. Toss evenly to coat.

This should be enough for 4 sandwiches.

Birds Eye View

Everyday Beauty #8: We hiked the butte and got this view of our town. It's right on the edge of Lake Roosevelt, the northern end of the Columbia River. It took us almost two hours to get to the top and back, but it was worth the view.

Deviled Eggs

Fresh eggs from the farm + boiling water = deviled eggs! Delicious, divine, delectable.

Five Days Old

Our Neighbor invited us over to her farm so the girls could see the new babies that have been arriving this spring. The highlight of the day was feeding the baby lamb warm milk from a bottle. Both girls took turns holding the bottle for the baby, even though LuLu was a bit shy at first. Nothing says "Spring" more than the emergence of new life. Blossoms unfold, grasses emerge from the long wintry slumber, and ewes are born.

So sweet, soft, and new.

Rainy Seattle Morning

Now that's thinking green!

Got some extra Huggies wrappers from buying diapers? No problem just send them to TerraCycle and they will make them into a bib. They also work with schools on fund raising! For each bottle collected from students they send the school 5 cents.


From Trash to Treasure!

Moccasins

Handmade moccasins perfect for baby feet.