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!