tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51655853547576448442024-03-13T04:38:41.544-07:00Petals and Mossconnecting with nature togetherJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04881708250574541879noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-70008689151191976192012-09-10T15:30:00.000-07:002013-06-19T22:28:54.920-07:00Mermaid City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9gntD0vWqw/UZu7tD1JmfI/AAAAAAAADoI/igfLd5yb1xk/s1600/Summer+2012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9gntD0vWqw/UZu7tD1JmfI/AAAAAAAADoI/igfLd5yb1xk/s320/Summer+2012+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you for reading Petals and Moss, but I'm moving on from this space and pleased to introduce my new blog: <a href="http://mermaidcity.blogspot.com/">Mermaid City.</a><br />
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"... I have created this blog as a promise to myself: I will work on . . . "Art" . . . any creative activity that feels completely indulgent, therefore inspiring and not a chore."<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04881708250574541879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-14747548810263750492012-03-19T09:59:00.001-07:002012-03-19T12:26:44.207-07:00Family Biking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wmUDqM1ji8/T2dlPfKMLCI/AAAAAAAABh8/V0L77S08nCM/s1600/4+on+Mama's+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wmUDqM1ji8/T2dlPfKMLCI/AAAAAAAABh8/V0L77S08nCM/s1600/4+on+Mama's+bike.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our preschool commute: that's FOUR on one bike! Okay it's all downhill and I'm only using the brakes, but it looks so serious. Here's my story and what I've learned about biking with babies.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYQNLB_LXDM/T2dp3ay8EJI/AAAAAAAABiU/jHztJChTv_Q/s1600/first+family+bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYQNLB_LXDM/T2dp3ay8EJI/AAAAAAAABiU/jHztJChTv_Q/s320/first+family+bike.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I stared biking with my daughter when she was 20 months old using an <a href="http://www.ibertinc.com/">iBert</a> seat in the front. I loved our ability to chat intimately while riding together. We lived on a steep hill so I didn't have to go far to get a work out. Soon, I got braver and braver and was comfortable travelling across town. It was becoming addictive; the exercise + running errands + bonding with my child combination. <br />
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I started in the summer by buying a cheap used bike from <a href="http://www.recycledcycles.com/">Recycled Cycles.</a> I wondered how long into the autumn I would ride. We found ourselves biking at night to see Christmas lights! We rode year round and continue to do so. It was the same with my second pregnancy, I wondered how far into it I could ride. I was still heaving my big belly over that bike at 9 months. Then once I had my infant I wanted to know how soon I could get back on with him too. I waited until he was 7 months old. He still wasn't able to hold his head up well and I knew a helmet would put too much weight on his head and neck. I was inspired by reading <a href="http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-transport-infant-by-bike.html">Kent's Bike Blog</a> on How to Transport and Infant by Bike. Although the Chariot company does not reccomend it, we chose to strap the infant carseat into the trailer. I like the idea of the carseat being "a huge, full-body helmet." Our double chariot trailer would act like a roll-cage that completely surrounded baby. This worked well until he was about 10 months and able to sit upright in the iBert wearing his <a href="http://www.nutcasehelmets.com/">nut case</a> helmet (which uses a magnetic buckle that makes getting it on SO much easier!) <br />
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So here we are currently using the double chariot for my five year old and a friend with baby in the front. Baby also likes to sit with sister in the back during nap time too. Naps can be a bit of a problem in the iBert. They often fell asleep in a forward fold over my handle bars. Not the easiest for balancing the bike and looks really weird to drivers! You'll find everything you need to know <a href="http://totcycle.com/blog/all-about-front-child-bike-seats.html">here</a> about front child bike seats, some with wind shields. If you have concerns about the safety of biking with your kiddos, check out this <a href="http://rowdykittens.com/2010/09/bikesandbbabies/">knowledgable Mama</a>.</div>
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far as gear goes, I'm a minimalist but I do require a few things to make winter biking pleasant for my babies:</div>
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warm lined booties</div>
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a <a href="http://www.novanatural.com/woolens/wool-hood_2">wool hood</a> for babies head and neck</div>
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warm suit with fold-over mittens (nothing that detaches or can get lost)</div>
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aforementioned nut case helmet with awesome buckle</div>
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Now I'm trying to decide what's in our future. I've seen a few of <a href="http://www.madsencycles.com/bikes/gallery/black-bucket.php">these</a> lately, so versatile! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3ywgCRCiTw/T2d-WxVAlLI/AAAAAAAABik/_gpcsZZgSjY/s1600/bike+bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3ywgCRCiTw/T2d-WxVAlLI/AAAAAAAABik/_gpcsZZgSjY/s320/bike+bucket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, I'd always thought I'd upgrade to an <a href="http://www.xtracycle.com/">xtra cycle.</a> Decisions, decisions.</div>
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Post any inspiring stories or links about riding with kids in the comments!</div>
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I'll leave you with the words of my inspiring and sassy riding Mama friend<a href="http://familyride.wordpress.com/"> Madi,</a> <br />
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"I bike because I'm too lazy to find parking!"</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_-aS6M2d_w/T2doKM787zI/AAAAAAAABiE/zjhoQcn00sk/s1600/Madi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_-aS6M2d_w/T2doKM787zI/AAAAAAAABiE/zjhoQcn00sk/s1600/Madi.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-17730082706665763542012-02-29T20:58:00.001-08:002012-03-19T11:07:32.064-07:00For the Love of Burlap<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYugnAFWHUY/T0rPnafLVMI/AAAAAAAABfw/E6fj-zWppCw/s1600/January+2012+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYugnAFWHUY/T0rPnafLVMI/AAAAAAAABfw/E6fj-zWppCw/s320/January+2012+288.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIN7FPNn5W4/T0rPYctBuKI/AAAAAAAABfo/Z5SRVpBkdes/s1600/January+2012+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIN7FPNn5W4/T0rPYctBuKI/AAAAAAAABfo/Z5SRVpBkdes/s320/January+2012+286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh burlap how I have been longing to sew you up into buckets with your polk-a-dot lining. Finally, these</div>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40738403/nesting-burlap-bucket-pattern?ref=v1_other_1">Nesting Burlap Buckets</a> are filled with potatoes, onions and cans. How cool that all the burlap scraps were compostable. I challenged myself to knit the jute yarn taken from the seems into a veggie scrubber like some industrious crafty mama. I'd always been curious what to do with the burlap bag I bought at the farmer's market and this is it! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Pq1y2_6y8/T2dz6k6-n_I/AAAAAAAABic/oD7nIU3UiJ0/s1600/Jute+scrubbie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Pq1y2_6y8/T2dz6k6-n_I/AAAAAAAABic/oD7nIU3UiJ0/s320/Jute+scrubbie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-90081730504909077702011-09-19T10:28:00.001-07:002013-07-18T21:23:37.887-07:00Our Hay Bale Garden<div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are way back in May at the beginning of our growing season</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's plenty of garden space at our new place<br />... mostly all in the shade.<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JC1BC7rrGD8/Tnd8ohKTj7I/AAAAAAAABbY/dWHc_f5qJAM/s1600/May%2B2011%2B051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654124892725153714" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JC1BC7rrGD8/Tnd8ohKTj7I/AAAAAAAABbY/dWHc_f5qJAM/s400/May%2B2011%2B051.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So instead of using beds or pots, we planted our starts into soaked hay bales and plopped them right down onto the sunniest parts.<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u1aAC3qhtY/Tnd8oBp7ebI/AAAAAAAABbI/R3pxhGHmqkY/s1600/hay%2Bbales%2B2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654124884267858354" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u1aAC3qhtY/Tnd8oBp7ebI/AAAAAAAABbI/R3pxhGHmqkY/s400/hay%2Bbales%2B2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We bought four bales. <br />Two for the patio and two along the side of the house<br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7WPnGUPxqY/Tnd9LCcEUNI/AAAAAAAABbw/IdTJ48wVcc4/s1600/August%2B2011%2B058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654125485773574354" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7WPnGUPxqY/Tnd9LCcEUNI/AAAAAAAABbw/IdTJ48wVcc4/s400/August%2B2011%2B058.JPG" border="0" /></a> Things began to grow for sure! A wide exotic variety of mushrooms popped up between our green bean plants. We decided NOT to harvest them.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II9XvaJ3QEw/Tnd9MKrlknI/AAAAAAAABcI/ljr-AvcRSpc/s1600/August%2B2011%2B250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654125505166021234" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II9XvaJ3QEw/Tnd9MKrlknI/AAAAAAAABcI/ljr-AvcRSpc/s400/August%2B2011%2B250.JPG" border="0" /></a>Then the green beans took off!<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654125490373872226" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg5eWO1Egyw/Tnd9LTk3SmI/AAAAAAAABb4/_3dlKH9EPPs/s400/August%2B2011%2B248.JPG" border="0" /><br />So did our tomatoes broccoli and basil.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEPjoOu9-b4/Tnd9Lqu4esI/AAAAAAAABcA/4TsKALVtSx8/s1600/August%2B2011%2B249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654125496589908674" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEPjoOu9-b4/Tnd9Lqu4esI/AAAAAAAABcA/4TsKALVtSx8/s400/August%2B2011%2B249.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now at the end of the growing season, when the sunflowers have already bloomed,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZR5ztPKaP4/Tnd9MOK7b2I/AAAAAAAABcQ/18kIRUnU_0g/s1600/August%2B2011%2B270.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzZ2bJLc7fw/ToP7ollbIUI/AAAAAAAABdI/JXQRaBiLnuE/s1600/August%252B2011%252B270.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 260px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzZ2bJLc7fw/ToP7ollbIUI/AAAAAAAABdI/JXQRaBiLnuE/s400/August%252B2011%252B270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657642231609893186" border="0" /></a>and my baby is in his full plumpness, we appreciate another garden that fed us and taught us a bit more about how our food grows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-27391430868825730662011-06-17T21:50:00.000-07:002011-06-25T20:51:42.723-07:00The Jesus Thing<div>Her: "Mama, do you think my caterpillars are dead?"<br />Me: "Honey I have no idea what's going on in there. It's a miracle. Let's wait and see."<br />(In my mind, I think they are total goners. The chrysalises are turning from brown to black and the prospect of beautiful painted lady butterflies looks bleak.)<br /><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NB_0ApN_0/Tfw1gtjTkPI/AAAAAAAABas/LKro_U_gJi8/s1600/June%2B2011%2B024.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619425271151300850" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NB_0ApN_0/Tfw1gtjTkPI/AAAAAAAABas/LKro_U_gJi8/s400/June%2B2011%2B024.JPG" border="0" /></a>Peeking caterpillar and friend already in chrysalis<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpI4mBtyMOY/Tfw1ganoU3I/AAAAAAAABak/HQLrMBNsfYY/s1600/June%2B2011%2B023.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619425266069164914" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpI4mBtyMOY/Tfw1ganoU3I/AAAAAAAABak/HQLrMBNsfYY/s400/June%2B2011%2B023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We've been watching them for a week, watching these caterpillars grow exponentially everyday. All of them will soon hang from the top of the jar and change into chrysalises<br /></div><br /><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHH0DalFDcw/Tfwvi8N7XYI/AAAAAAAABaM/1qOoqagA5yI/s1600/June%2B2011%2B022.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619418712378137986" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHH0DalFDcw/Tfwvi8N7XYI/AAAAAAAABaM/1qOoqagA5yI/s400/June%2B2011%2B022.JPG" border="0" /></a>That's the way, but doesn't that one on the bottom look like it's in trouble?<br /><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAqQ4PtkixY/TgVolUdnDKI/AAAAAAAABa8/zN3zG8UgRWE/s1600/June%2B2011%2B113.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622014700199283874" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAqQ4PtkixY/TgVolUdnDKI/AAAAAAAABa8/zN3zG8UgRWE/s400/June%2B2011%2B113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Then there was yesterday, we sat on the couch and witnessed the last butterfly emerge from her chrysalis. This is a butterfly kit from the local drugstore from <a href="http://www.insectlore.com/">this site.</a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6g9dCpNBDQ/TgVolAnzBZI/AAAAAAAABa0/aCDd3g1tQ74/s1600/June%2B2011%2B122.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622014694873302418" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6g9dCpNBDQ/TgVolAnzBZI/AAAAAAAABa0/aCDd3g1tQ74/s400/June%2B2011%2B122.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>The amazing thing about watching something like metamorphosis take place before my very eyes, was how I lost all hope. Even though, we all know and have all been taught how it works, I thought, "This time it won't work. We messed it up somehow. Our caterpillars are broken." However that little voice inside me said, "But you know this is what happens, they look dead and then after a while butterflies, emerge." The non-believer voice said, "Yeah well not this time, sorry." My husband reminded me, it's the Jesus thing.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-91907344217041080632011-03-24T16:08:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:56:30.991-07:00Vernal Equinox Tea Party and Other Springtime Rituals<div>Little Ita received an invitation in the mail to our second annual First Day of Spring Tea Party in the backyard. Happy Vernal Equinox!<br /><br />Guests:<br /><ul><li>Baby</li><li>Mama</li><li>Little Ita</li><li>Two friends</li></ul> On the Menu:<ul><li>Nettles tea</li><li>Sliced banana</li><li>Amaranth graham crackers</li><li>Chickpeas in olive oil with salt</li></ul><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqzUVpV_tJU/TYvWKjI-vYI/AAAAAAAABX4/1tqILHNadzc/s1600/March%2B2011%2B027.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795239403175298" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqzUVpV_tJU/TYvWKjI-vYI/AAAAAAAABX4/1tqILHNadzc/s400/March%2B2011%2B027.JPG" border="0" /></a>One of the guests was at perfect sniffing level.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwDnzxLf9uY/TYvWLEt7n0I/AAAAAAAABYI/lsJc13QAYks/s1600/March%2B2011%2B034.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795248416530242" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwDnzxLf9uY/TYvWLEt7n0I/AAAAAAAABYI/lsJc13QAYks/s400/March%2B2011%2B034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The day after that appointed first day of Spring, the sun came out to make it official.<br /></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vByb4EPlS8A/TYvWKGiHAHI/AAAAAAAABXw/0B6k4LDMye8/s1600/March%2B2011%2B024.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587795231723946098" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vByb4EPlS8A/TYvWKGiHAHI/AAAAAAAABXw/0B6k4LDMye8/s400/March%2B2011%2B024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I was then able to use that which marks the change of season to me, my beloved clothesline. We've been apart for nearly five months and look at her, strung up with diapers. How glad I am to have part of the family chores be outside, folding clothes that smell like outside, nothing compares.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K1_2_2RoFps/TYvVzDHKsAI/AAAAAAAABXo/dl11eoKhkJs/s1600/March%2B2011%2B019.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794835668643842" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K1_2_2RoFps/TYvVzDHKsAI/AAAAAAAABXo/dl11eoKhkJs/s400/March%2B2011%2B019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Next on the agenda for Springtime rituals, filling the bird feeder.<br /></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X28h_V_L2HQ/TYvVyvItu6I/AAAAAAAABXg/6-qhTJK1ZVk/s1600/March%2B2011%2B006.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794830306425762" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X28h_V_L2HQ/TYvVyvItu6I/AAAAAAAABXg/6-qhTJK1ZVk/s400/March%2B2011%2B006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />But what is one to do when the birds don't know it's there?<br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2zhjpsNeuo/TYvVxie_-WI/AAAAAAAABXI/O6yM_FssYqg/s1600/March%2B2011%2B001.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794809730365794" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2zhjpsNeuo/TYvVxie_-WI/AAAAAAAABXI/O6yM_FssYqg/s400/March%2B2011%2B001.JPG" border="0" /></a>Why send out a written invitation of course!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2E1_cEnBDk/TYvVyAWKTpI/AAAAAAAABXQ/5oDP_LEDCWI/s1600/March%2B2011%2B004.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794817746357906" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2E1_cEnBDk/TYvVyAWKTpI/AAAAAAAABXQ/5oDP_LEDCWI/s400/March%2B2011%2B004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g502l0r0o2w/TYvVyWvHbrI/AAAAAAAABXY/tGu4A8Hnw8I/s1600/March%2B2011%2B005.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587794823756607154" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g502l0r0o2w/TYvVyWvHbrI/AAAAAAAABXY/tGu4A8Hnw8I/s400/March%2B2011%2B005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-91208366361816612172011-03-15T20:24:00.000-07:002011-03-16T21:54:54.970-07:00Urban Rivers<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U0i48b3tEl0/TYAtwIdIWSI/AAAAAAAABUI/N4ADyABRDW8/s1600/March%2B2011%2B054.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584513842866051362" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U0i48b3tEl0/TYAtwIdIWSI/AAAAAAAABUI/N4ADyABRDW8/s400/March%2B2011%2B054.JPG" border="0" /></a> After yesterday's thunder and lightening hail and torrential down pour, </div><div style="text-align: center;">we needed a boat for this river.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW2IJNucb0Y/TYAtwoF8qtI/AAAAAAAABUY/2uOF_h45qi0/s1600/March%2B2011%2B056.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584513851358751442" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UW2IJNucb0Y/TYAtwoF8qtI/AAAAAAAABUY/2uOF_h45qi0/s400/March%2B2011%2B056.JPG" border="0" /></a>Let's use some bamboo!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WISBf0R1Jso/TYAtwU4vsdI/AAAAAAAABUQ/I38fML7j8Mo/s1600/March%2B2011%2B055.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584513846203101650" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WISBf0R1Jso/TYAtwU4vsdI/AAAAAAAABUQ/I38fML7j8Mo/s400/March%2B2011%2B055.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz63u63nnjo/TYAtxDNVEsI/AAAAAAAABUg/dxAKMlLByuQ/s1600/March%2B2011%2B057.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584513858637468354" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zz63u63nnjo/TYAtxDNVEsI/AAAAAAAABUg/dxAKMlLByuQ/s400/March%2B2011%2B057.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fold over one third of the leaf.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKJ2Ay6pnm4/TYAuFv1EHWI/AAAAAAAABUo/fzs-NBicNw8/s1600/March%2B2011%2B058.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514214212672866" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKJ2Ay6pnm4/TYAuFv1EHWI/AAAAAAAABUo/fzs-NBicNw8/s400/March%2B2011%2B058.JPG" border="0" /></a> Peel two slits into that fold </div><div style="text-align: center;">(tearing through only about 1/4 inch length.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514222084973586" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yaw7dwG2bg/TYAuGNJ95BI/AAAAAAAABUw/_Z3kAHYkp24/s400/March%2B2011%2B059.JPG" border="0" /><br />Insert one side into the other leaving the middle part flat. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Repeat the entire process on the other side</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fsgUiTRsIE/TYAuGTzgGLI/AAAAAAAABU4/u56_wU-2xGY/s1600/March%2B2011%2B060.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514223869794482" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fsgUiTRsIE/TYAuGTzgGLI/AAAAAAAABU4/u56_wU-2xGY/s400/March%2B2011%2B060.JPG" border="0" /></a> One little bamboo boat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAtfrei02dg/TYAuGiomzJI/AAAAAAAABVA/v--RGokAUFA/s1600/March%2B2011%2B061.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514227850628242" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAtfrei02dg/TYAuGiomzJI/AAAAAAAABVA/v--RGokAUFA/s400/March%2B2011%2B061.JPG" border="0" /></a>Go boat go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb57IKIycrs/TYAuMZE2--I/AAAAAAAABVQ/6kX0zemg8yg/s1600/March%2B2011%2B063.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514328363989986" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb57IKIycrs/TYAuMZE2--I/AAAAAAAABVQ/6kX0zemg8yg/s400/March%2B2011%2B063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I remember the days when I was fascinated by </div><div style="text-align: center;">gutters and drains coursing with freshly fallen rain,<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI4OZ55LqkQ/TYAuG63gIZI/AAAAAAAABVI/Il00dZCucmc/s1600/March%2B2011%2B062.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584514234355556754" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI4OZ55LqkQ/TYAuG63gIZI/AAAAAAAABVI/Il00dZCucmc/s400/March%2B2011%2B062.JPG" border="0" /></a> and soon he will be too.<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-9272295703935273312011-03-09T12:35:00.000-08:002011-03-09T22:13:40.482-08:00Making Mud<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9qRu2CeOSo/TXhkC60U7rI/AAAAAAAABUA/92kvTtLDrxw/s1600/rain%2Bdrops.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9qRu2CeOSo/TXhkC60U7rI/AAAAAAAABUA/92kvTtLDrxw/s400/rain%2Bdrops.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582321739436977842" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJJB0orqnbI/TXfk84jFXwI/AAAAAAAABTo/SDTSq2-dEI8/s1600/March%2B2011%2B078.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582181997771841282" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJJB0orqnbI/TXfk84jFXwI/AAAAAAAABTo/SDTSq2-dEI8/s400/March%2B2011%2B078.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b83RGx2k7GM/TXfk9wJRiCI/AAAAAAAABT4/m0JYNwJtnEs/s1600/March%2B2011%2B079.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyO6H_9PJ4k/TXfk8LM5qeI/AAAAAAAABTg/G3q5HotphnY/s1600/March%2B2011%2B076.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582181985599203810" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyO6H_9PJ4k/TXfk8LM5qeI/AAAAAAAABTg/G3q5HotphnY/s400/March%2B2011%2B076.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeNWWNzR6jE/TXfk9VRqZOI/AAAAAAAABTw/78_seh5fLLI/s1600/March%2B2011%2B077.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582182005483398370" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeNWWNzR6jE/TXfk9VRqZOI/AAAAAAAABTw/78_seh5fLLI/s400/March%2B2011%2B077.JPG" border="0" /></a>It Must be Spring.<br /><ul><li>Little Ita is outside "making mud."<br /></li><li>The rain comes down harder than ever.</li><li>The sun blasts out for a bit too.</li><li>It's 6 p.m. It's still light. <br /></li><li>I'm more than delighted.</li></ul>How do you know it's Spring?<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-68388998029375758242011-01-28T16:35:00.000-08:002011-01-28T17:07:19.527-08:00A Down Comforter in the Sky<div align="center">As we were driving east to the mountains on a dark January day, I was mesmerized by the cloud layer. It was like looking at a down comforter in the sky. The patterns created by the clouds were quilted and puffy going on for miles and miles. And that's exactly what it has felt like living in Seattle these last few weeks, like living under thick covers. So in order to beat the blues, we<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNiP2cekTI/AAAAAAAABTE/ntxWSyj_bj8/s1600/Winter%2B2011%2B074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567401588812583218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNiP2cekTI/AAAAAAAABTE/ntxWSyj_bj8/s400/Winter%2B2011%2B074.JPG" /></a> tried something new<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh12gzpHI/AAAAAAAABS8/QWIB8hbT7V0/s1600/Winter%2B2011%2B077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567401142154142834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh12gzpHI/AAAAAAAABS8/QWIB8hbT7V0/s400/Winter%2B2011%2B077.JPG" /></a> bundled up the entire family for an afternoon on the slopes at the<a href="http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/"> Summit<br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh1mFaH6I/AAAAAAAABS0/kqv7U1Zqarc/s1600/Winter%2B2011%2B015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567401137744256930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh1mFaH6I/AAAAAAAABS0/kqv7U1Zqarc/s400/Winter%2B2011%2B015.JPG" /></a> and gathered family for an indoor adventure at the <a href="http://www.rei.com/stores/seattle/climbclass.html">REI Pinnacle.<br /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh1YrPDfI/AAAAAAAABSs/Nd1XP1BT654/s1600/Winter%2B2011%2B028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567401134144818674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNh1YrPDfI/AAAAAAAABSs/Nd1XP1BT654/s400/Winter%2B2011%2B028.JPG" /></a> Rock on Sister!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNhNLHfDqI/AAAAAAAABSk/kiQv4ZRScEs/s1600/Winter%2B2011%2B133.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567400443310444194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TUNhNLHfDqI/AAAAAAAABSk/kiQv4ZRScEs/s400/Winter%2B2011%2B133.JPG" /></a><br />Then Mama promptly requested a potted spring bulb from the store and pulled the amaryllis out of hiding. Little Ita decided she would take matters into her own hands and dig up a bulb from the backyard. Atleast now, while we continue to live under the cozy clouds of winter, I have spring on my table... and so we wait.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-60052009198090590312010-12-12T02:19:00.000-08:002010-12-25T11:04:34.668-08:00Asa Toshi<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiRfUmEtI/AAAAAAAABR4/jMWS3Qj-jiI/s1600/DSC08079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiRfUmEtI/AAAAAAAABR4/jMWS3Qj-jiI/s400/DSC08079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549739062176649938" border="0" /></a>arrived as a surprise Christmas gift 4 weeks early<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiR74Jq8I/AAAAAAAABSA/raLVnIrvlhg/s1600/Asa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiR74Jq8I/AAAAAAAABSA/raLVnIrvlhg/s400/Asa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549739069841976258" border="0" /></a>born at 3:57 a.m.<br />his name means "morning excellence"<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiSBm2MmI/AAAAAAAABSI/zlfHHK8QF3Q/s1600/Big%2BSis%2BLuv.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQSiSBm2MmI/AAAAAAAABSI/zlfHHK8QF3Q/s400/Big%2BSis%2BLuv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549739071380009570" border="0" /></a>and boy does he shine a new light in our lives!<br />Look at that Big Sis Glow<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQ__FlETSEI/AAAAAAAABSQ/jhzjdeTFp3E/s1600/DSC08098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TQ__FlETSEI/AAAAAAAABSQ/jhzjdeTFp3E/s400/DSC08098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552937336885692482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TRZADw4kZFI/AAAAAAAABSc/q3v1nWN6Klo/s1600/DSC08191.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TRZADw4kZFI/AAAAAAAABSc/q3v1nWN6Klo/s400/DSC08191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554697623814038610" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-72149342506829314582010-09-26T19:54:00.000-07:002010-09-26T20:01:52.623-07:00End of Summer Bump<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TKAHrziJBYI/AAAAAAAABQ0/xbNfsmmlIlA/s1600/DSC07263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TKAHrziJBYI/AAAAAAAABQ0/xbNfsmmlIlA/s320/DSC07263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521421592305403266" border="0" /></a>There's lots of fabulous change in our lives! I'm growing more and more and the challenges of keeping up my posts on this blog are as well. Petals and Moss will be on break<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span> for a bit...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-76004362368489631452010-08-06T15:29:00.000-07:002010-08-06T16:42:42.661-07:00Summer Favorites<div style="text-align: center;">Surprise! August is already here.<br />I'd like to list some summer favorites before it's over.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNMbLibxI/AAAAAAAABPU/OrGCjjrcJy0/s1600/DSC04530.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNMbLibxI/AAAAAAAABPU/OrGCjjrcJy0/s320/DSC04530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428089334001426" border="0" /></a>Flowers from our little patch of wildflowers and poppies fill our house<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNyFFXTgI/AAAAAAAABPk/PQpqzoydiI0/s1600/DSC04327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNyFFXTgI/AAAAAAAABPk/PQpqzoydiI0/s320/DSC04327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428736237555202" border="0" /></a>One seed packet planted last year has grown into a lot of blooms.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNL_nAb1I/AAAAAAAABPM/i1vglrZqFyw/s1600/DSC04534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNL_nAb1I/AAAAAAAABPM/i1vglrZqFyw/s320/DSC04534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428081933021010" border="0" /></a>When it's up to Little Bean, she removes all the petals.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNKsS4UfI/AAAAAAAABO0/ufEFFjvd0xo/s1600/DSC07141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNKsS4UfI/AAAAAAAABO0/ufEFFjvd0xo/s320/DSC07141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428059568460274" border="0" /></a><br />Perfect for making ice cubes!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNLED6AWI/AAAAAAAABO8/KgviZE5YVw4/s1600/DSC04537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNLED6AWI/AAAAAAAABO8/KgviZE5YVw4/s320/DSC04537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428065948107106" border="0" /></a>Here is a complete<a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8513.html"> table of edible flowers</a><br />so you know exactly what's safe for eating.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNxT6pDqI/AAAAAAAABPc/yxtQEnVL2ZE/s1600/DSC04539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyNxT6pDqI/AAAAAAAABPc/yxtQEnVL2ZE/s320/DSC04539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502428723039243938" border="0" /></a>One of my favorites, nasturtium mac n cheese.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyPgCZU_PI/AAAAAAAABPs/d5X5-RPk4kY/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TFyPgCZU_PI/AAAAAAAABPs/d5X5-RPk4kY/s320/IMG_1122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502430625301593330" border="0" /></a>This pic of <a href="http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/04/13/candied-edible-flowers/">candied edible flowers </a>from<br />5 Orange Potatoes looks like sweet floral fun.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">For the upcoming heat this week:<br />make <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/2010/07/for-popsicle.html">Molly's delicious popsicles</a> and<a href="http://littleaustinite.com/2010/01/science-experiment-melting-ice-to-rescue-toys/"> </a><br /><a href="http://littleaustinite.com/2010/01/science-experiment-melting-ice-to-rescue-toys/">freeze your kids toys in ice</a>,<br />then give them various tools to excavate them<br />(we use toy hammers, screw drivers, spoons, forks and spray bottles.)<br /><br />Enjoy the abundant sun.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-4265041771090723242010-07-27T11:31:00.000-07:002010-07-27T12:19:19.934-07:00A Chance to Do It<div style="text-align: center;">The salmon are running!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8ma20yzEI/AAAAAAAABMs/R1X9eQl0I90/s1600/DSC07079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8ma20yzEI/AAAAAAAABMs/R1X9eQl0I90/s320/DSC07079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498655912878066754" border="0" /></a>Especially if this is your first time to Seattle, have a look around.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8mZTGIP6I/AAAAAAAABMM/vUuEPPQvnZc/s1600/DSC07075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8mZTGIP6I/AAAAAAAABMM/vUuEPPQvnZc/s320/DSC07075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498655886107230114" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oCNXt8pI/AAAAAAAABN0/KgJFCmYoMT0/s1600/DSC07123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oCNXt8pI/AAAAAAAABN0/KgJFCmYoMT0/s320/DSC07123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657688456655506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oCcH78QI/AAAAAAAABN8/WiotlMTnY4Q/s1600/DSC07112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oCcH78QI/AAAAAAAABN8/WiotlMTnY4Q/s320/DSC07112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657692416995586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oRwK99GI/AAAAAAAABOE/GYkaK5uFOLc/s1600/DSC07120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oRwK99GI/AAAAAAAABOE/GYkaK5uFOLc/s320/DSC07120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657955496457314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nGIlqC0I/AAAAAAAABNM/gS5cQT4P2s4/s1600/DSC07098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nGIlqC0I/AAAAAAAABNM/gS5cQT4P2s4/s320/DSC07098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498656656380791618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nHB1wcOI/AAAAAAAABNU/do7zyOb7piQ/s1600/DSC07102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nHB1wcOI/AAAAAAAABNU/do7zyOb7piQ/s320/DSC07102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498656671749140706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nDR2zERI/AAAAAAAABM0/lBgTLwXsjAw/s1600/DSC07080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nDR2zERI/AAAAAAAABM0/lBgTLwXsjAw/s320/DSC07080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498656607328997650" border="0" /></a>This way!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oAq_ADnI/AAAAAAAABNc/XEMGNidI12w/s1600/DSC07082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oAq_ADnI/AAAAAAAABNc/XEMGNidI12w/s320/DSC07082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657662046310002" border="0" /></a>We've waited for months, to see them<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oBALX4cI/AAAAAAAABNk/L-sz3U86sJQ/s1600/DSC07085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oBALX4cI/AAAAAAAABNk/L-sz3U86sJQ/s320/DSC07085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657667735347650" border="0" /></a>Finally, the fish ladder viewing windows are full.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oBlUQ-kI/AAAAAAAABNs/1EswOaIbQ6w/s1600/DSC07092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8oBlUQ-kI/AAAAAAAABNs/1EswOaIbQ6w/s320/DSC07092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498657677704755778" border="0" /></a>... and now they're back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nFamjqoI/AAAAAAAABNE/PIL4l9UaXls/s1600/DSC07091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8nFamjqoI/AAAAAAAABNE/PIL4l9UaXls/s320/DSC07091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498656644036536962" border="0" /></a>Oh, how we love our salmon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8malt2L5I/AAAAAAAABMk/xQobFtJ1t20/s1600/DSC07089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8malt2L5I/AAAAAAAABMk/xQobFtJ1t20/s320/DSC07089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498655908285525906" border="0" /></a>How they remind me of the challenges on this parenting journey.<br /> Sometimes it does feel like I'm swimming against all odds upstream,<br /> but it's a calling from inside<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8mZ1UierI/AAAAAAAABMU/4ajUkSaCizg/s1600/DSC07109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TE8mZ1UierI/AAAAAAAABMU/4ajUkSaCizg/s320/DSC07109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498655895294474930" border="0" /></a>... and I just want the chance to do it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-92163421083155058082010-06-26T21:38:00.001-07:002010-11-03T08:57:54.867-07:00Crow Planet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbWNEsxNmI/AAAAAAAABIg/0lA_EalOA-o/s1600/DSC06721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbWNEsxNmI/AAAAAAAABIg/0lA_EalOA-o/s320/DSC06721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308716085687906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How, exactly, are we connected to the earth, the more-than-human world, in our lives and in our actions? </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbWNoybqMI/AAAAAAAABIo/v3XcVKXjc_g/s1600/DSC06722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 101px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbWNoybqMI/AAAAAAAABIo/v3XcVKXjc_g/s320/DSC06722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308725773117634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And in the light of this connection, how are we to carry out our lives on a changing earth?<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCmQi8w0QZI/AAAAAAAABJQ/GlZB6qN9yoo/s1600/DSC06725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCmQi8w0QZI/AAAAAAAABJQ/GlZB6qN9yoo/s320/DSC06725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488076551028490642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">These are the questions we are called to answer in this <span style="font-weight: bold;">kairos</span>, this graced moment of opportune crisis. I have come to believe that opening ourselves to such inquiry and participating daily in the process of discovery it implies is our most urgent work as humans in the new millennium. And not because engaging these questions will make us happier, or smarter, or make more of our moments feel enchanted, though it will certainly do all of these things. It is urgent because an intimate awareness of the continuity between our lives and the rest of life is the only thing that will truly conserve the earth - this wonderful earth that we rightly love.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span><span><br />excerpt</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span><span>from</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crow Planet: essential wisdom from the urban wilderness </span>by Lyanda Lynn Haupt<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCd8EgxVU2I/AAAAAAAABI4/GqwgCehMh_I/s1600/DSC06775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCd8EgxVU2I/AAAAAAAABI4/GqwgCehMh_I/s320/DSC06775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487491087932412770" border="0" /></a><br />This book written by a West Seattle Mom and director of educational programs for Seattle Audubon, made me realize a few things:<br /><ul><li>Calling myself a naturalist is a much grander title than I had ever thought, I correctly shall now be called a nature enthusiast.<br /></li><li> I see crows in an entirely new light. What their numbers say about our ecosystem and their relationship to humans is enlightening.</li><li>Finding fascinating behavior among the most mundane of urban animals is important work for us and our children<br /></li></ul></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-19120622839819880582010-06-26T21:32:00.000-07:002010-06-28T22:59:57.438-07:00Somewhat of a Fruit Leather Miracle<div style="text-align: center;">One sunny day this June, we made strawberry apple fruit leather.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now getting from here:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU5VtOonI/AAAAAAAABHY/cwo9WIwyA7c/s1600/DSC06695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU5VtOonI/AAAAAAAABHY/cwo9WIwyA7c/s320/DSC06695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487307277542007410" border="0" /></a>to there,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVm4uSnYI/AAAAAAAABIA/CXC_kLyhVtc/s1600/DSC06706.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVm4uSnYI/AAAAAAAABIA/CXC_kLyhVtc/s320/DSC06706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308060035816834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVm4uSnYI/AAAAAAAABIA/CXC_kLyhVtc/s1600/DSC06706.JPG"> </a>was somewhat of a miracle.<br /><br />Here's my photo tutorial.<br />I followed the recipe from <a href="http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2010/06/strawberry-fruit-leather-recipe.html">Vintage Chica.</a><br /><br />First, rinse<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU5IKyhUI/AAAAAAAABHQ/k0bbfHHWlq4/s1600/DSC06694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU5IKyhUI/AAAAAAAABHQ/k0bbfHHWlq4/s320/DSC06694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487307273907897666" border="0" /></a><br />Next, chop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU4k1e_4I/AAAAAAAABHI/TReOu-ZRKyo/s1600/DSC06691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU4k1e_4I/AAAAAAAABHI/TReOu-ZRKyo/s320/DSC06691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487307264423296898" border="0" /></a><br />Then, place in a sauce pan and cook down with water<br />(I added apples to extend the recipe.) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU6e0CrOI/AAAAAAAABHo/zt4AE7LNalI/s1600/DSC06699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbU6e0CrOI/AAAAAAAABHo/zt4AE7LNalI/s320/DSC06699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487307297166372066" border="0" /></a><br />Blend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVl72sR3I/AAAAAAAABHw/Kf4lGhJySK4/s1600/DSC06701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVl72sR3I/AAAAAAAABHw/Kf4lGhJySK4/s320/DSC06701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308043696490354" border="0" /></a><br />Spread and bake for 5 hours at 170 degrees<br />(or your oven's lowest temp.)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVmP95IUI/AAAAAAAABH4/GNNp4RJDtSk/s1600/DSC06703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVmP95IUI/AAAAAAAABH4/GNNp4RJDtSk/s320/DSC06703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308049095401794" border="0" /></a><br />Roll it up. Now at this point, the despair set in. <br />Although it was delicious, our fruit would not separate from the wax paper I had used (instead of plastic wrap.) We were eating more paper then fruit and I thought it was undercooked and mushy in the center. The edges were hard and cracked. Next time, I would cook it less than my 6 hours. I now know more mushy like thick jam is fine and less hard edges are better.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCeBWeyJ4vI/AAAAAAAABJI/3XXmIl7nsQ4/s1600/DSC06706.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCeBWeyJ4vI/AAAAAAAABJI/3XXmIl7nsQ4/s320/DSC06706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487496894194770674" border="0" /></a>At this point, I put it in a glass jar in little ita's snack drawer and thought, "Oh well, we've got a yummy activity that takes a lot of time and patience."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVnPp8LRI/AAAAAAAABII/iGN8NFb022g/s1600/DSC06715.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVnPp8LRI/AAAAAAAABII/iGN8NFb022g/s320/DSC06715.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308066191584530" border="0" /></a><br />Then, with much surprise, we opened it the next day to find the fruit had moistened enough in the jar to pull away from the wax paper and it was perfect, east to peal real fruit leather!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVno3JcNI/AAAAAAAABIQ/nAOnVZXS_6A/s1600/DSC06720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TCbVno3JcNI/AAAAAAAABIQ/nAOnVZXS_6A/s320/DSC06720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487308072957866194" border="0" /></a>So now I say, making fruit leather is flexible (as it should be) and even if it doesn't bake or dry evenly, it all works out great in the end. Enjoy the fruit season!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-54485232827163394602010-06-02T21:35:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:41:56.816-07:00Eating In the Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxr-W-asI/AAAAAAAABGI/XsqMyxca__E/s1600/DSC06608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxr-W-asI/AAAAAAAABGI/XsqMyxca__E/s320/DSC06608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402103262997186" border="0" /></a>A little garden tour is in order right about now. What once was a small slab of grass in my neighbor's side yard, has now after three years, become a true community garden. Read more about how I dug up my neighbor's yard at <a href="http://petalsandmoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/gardening-together.html">Gardening Together</a> and <a href="http://petalsandmoss.blogspot.com/2009/04/facing-sun.html">Facing the Sun</a>. This year, only half of what is growing here is ours. I love that I started this tradition and now it is being carried on by other folks in my building . . . making friends with our neighbor and growing food in her sunny plot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxq2K2rWI/AAAAAAAABF4/ovvQvinZ1nE/s1600/DSC06605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxq2K2rWI/AAAAAAAABF4/ovvQvinZ1nE/s320/DSC06605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402083884805474" border="0" /></a>As we approached the garden yesterday morning, I went straight to the tool shed and I hear "Awwww... look Mama," (as if she has seen a kitten) "the carrots are starting to come up. They look so cute." My smile is wide. How incredible it is that carrot seedlings elicit such a response.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAhub__rbmI/AAAAAAAABHA/4OtfjrZwdKE/s1600/DSC06626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAhub__rbmI/AAAAAAAABHA/4OtfjrZwdKE/s320/DSC06626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478750374010252898" border="0" /></a>My intention with today's post is to show you how we have been eating IN the garden. As my daughter said the other day, "No <a href="http://petalsandmoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/green-smoothies.html">greens in my smoothie</a>! I only <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5165585354757644844&postID=4325228403096619511">eat my greens in the garden</a> now." Both of us are having a hard time getting our greens. She just has the will of being three and I'm green in the gills with first trimester nausea. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxqTMXCqI/AAAAAAAABFw/-nHejhSPkTU/s1600/DSC06603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxqTMXCqI/AAAAAAAABFw/-nHejhSPkTU/s320/DSC06603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402074495879842" border="0" /></a>So one day we were having lunch outside, the fresh air helping my appetite and we started dipping pea vines and leaves in some leftover sauce. We both loved it and ate a LOT of greens this way. The peas may produce less this year, but mmmm.... fresh pea vines are delicious.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyUou6_NI/AAAAAAAABGo/ANTpBuMKVpI/s1600/DSC06616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyUou6_NI/AAAAAAAABGo/ANTpBuMKVpI/s320/DSC06616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402801832492242" border="0" /></a>So we moved onto the sunflowers that needed thinning yesterday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyUCbuzNI/AAAAAAAABGg/NW2LmjE_LAw/s1600/DSC06615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyUCbuzNI/AAAAAAAABGg/NW2LmjE_LAw/s320/DSC06615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402791551454418" border="0" /></a>Combine a handful of sunflower sprouts with some leftover soy sauce and tofu. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyVFHiJ9I/AAAAAAAABGw/D58qaxOJrtU/s1600/DSC06617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyVFHiJ9I/AAAAAAAABGw/D58qaxOJrtU/s320/DSC06617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402809451915218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyhmVQJlI/AAAAAAAABG4/LPJJbOzKHRI/s1600/DSC06623.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyhmVQJlI/AAAAAAAABG4/LPJJbOzKHRI/s320/DSC06623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478403024526255698" border="0" /></a>... and gobble it down! I'm hoping the dipping sauce idea works for chard, kale and lettuce too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxsPyqB5I/AAAAAAAABGQ/iWT7PdwQxKk/s1600/DSC06612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcxsPyqB5I/AAAAAAAABGQ/iWT7PdwQxKk/s320/DSC06612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402107942504338" border="0" /></a>Chocolate Peppermint and Stevia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyTxDVv0I/AAAAAAAABGY/3B7kJR5WnZo/s1600/DSC06614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/TAcyTxDVv0I/AAAAAAAABGY/3B7kJR5WnZo/s320/DSC06614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478402786885746498" border="0" /></a>Now onto dessert, these two herbs are a treat. Little Ita walks by and snips off a leaf or two just for pure taste. The choc mint tastes just like it sounds and the stevia is used as a sugar substitute and just that sweet. I may soon have to limit her to one little nibble a day until the plant is bigger. Look for the "culinary" label when shopping for delicious herbs. Wishing you and your little ones, creative ways of eating plants!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-15200552378289444082010-05-18T21:06:00.000-07:002010-05-18T22:04:50.090-07:00Infective Zest<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqPWKj7qI/AAAAAAAABD0/m8YZRq23QZI/s1600/DSC06482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqPWKj7qI/AAAAAAAABD0/m8YZRq23QZI/s320/DSC06482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834784065744546" border="0" /></a>Today's post features my nephew.<br />He is a nature enthusiast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqP4F8YrI/AAAAAAAABD8/rrrezIn8_kA/s1600/DSC06483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqP4F8YrI/AAAAAAAABD8/rrrezIn8_kA/s320/DSC06483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834793173181106" border="0" /></a>Contrary to the quote that I've posted before:<br /><div style="text-align: center;">"... <em>our young people are more aware of threats to the global<br />environment than they are of the natural world in their own backyards</em>."<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;">- David Elkind author of the <em>NY Times</em> article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/opinion/27elkind.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y">Playtime is Over</a><br /><br /></span>...my nephew knows exactly what lives in his backyard.<br />If there is an organism to be found, he will find it.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqREqKPdI/AAAAAAAABEU/_mH80rypSDg/s1600/DSC06494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqREqKPdI/AAAAAAAABEU/_mH80rypSDg/s320/DSC06494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834813726178770" border="0" /></a>And when he finds it, his excitement is contagious to the entire family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqQioNNXI/AAAAAAAABEM/BcT-jOEWHt8/s1600/DSC06495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqQioNNXI/AAAAAAAABEM/BcT-jOEWHt8/s320/DSC06495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834804591179122" border="0" /></a>On this day, he found a snake and we all gathered to see it. Once, I found my Dad online trying to identify a mysterious 3 inch long insect found flying from a nest in the ground by their driveway (a cicada hunter wasp.) When my Mom washes and saves specific plastic containers, they're not for recycling but for future bug homes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqQThqGeI/AAAAAAAABEE/p7cqL_CNN5I/s1600/DSC06501.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_NqQThqGeI/AAAAAAAABEE/p7cqL_CNN5I/s320/DSC06501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472834800537180642" border="0" /></a><br />My sister is raising a child that spends hours<br />building the perfect home for a snake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_Nqo930sxI/AAAAAAAABEc/W5eNRg1NFbg/s1600/DSC06486.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S_Nqo930sxI/AAAAAAAABEc/W5eNRg1NFbg/s320/DSC06486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472835224221299474" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love being around this little guy and his infective zest for all living things.<br />He inspires me to turn over more rocks, just see what's under them.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-87015432194429847222010-04-30T14:41:00.000-07:002010-05-02T14:48:13.260-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 13<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S93xm5ol7KI/AAAAAAAABDc/8HduULR4LwU/s1600/DSC06419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S93xm5ol7KI/AAAAAAAABDc/8HduULR4LwU/s320/DSC06419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466791173306051746" border="0" /></a>Today is our last day participating in the outdoor challenge.<br />Here's wishing you many days of outdoor wonder and amazement this year!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-62433419687533056022010-04-29T13:40:00.000-07:002010-05-02T15:03:39.235-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 12<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S93xVbha8TI/AAAAAAAABDU/12wwGZYERz8/s1600/DSC06423.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S93xVbha8TI/AAAAAAAABDU/12wwGZYERz8/s320/DSC06423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466790873165132082" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes being out means looking up and just saying "Wow!"<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-43252284030966195112010-04-28T12:53:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:46:14.101-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 11<div style="text-align: center;">My favorite thing about spring is happening:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S930u2NNdXI/AAAAAAAABDk/s2_SoE3sQns/s1600/DSC06304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S930u2NNdXI/AAAAAAAABDk/s2_SoE3sQns/s320/DSC06304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466794608359732594" border="0" /></a>She's eating leafy greens again. In a way she would never eat them in the house,<br />she picks and eats pea vines voraciously. One of the main reasons I grow a little food each year is so my little one will eat something fresh and green everyday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S930vEDFc7I/AAAAAAAABDs/DxePKlDukeQ/s1600/DSC06305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S930vEDFc7I/AAAAAAAABDs/DxePKlDukeQ/s320/DSC06305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466794612075361202" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-29717524203075938052010-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:002010-04-28T11:06:25.002-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h2qJ_yZlI/AAAAAAAABDE/AJM2_fRUAjg/s1600/DSC06386.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h2qJ_yZlI/AAAAAAAABDE/AJM2_fRUAjg/s320/DSC06386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248614424143442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After a long day of mostly being inside<br />I remembered we were doing the "challenge."<br />These 20 minutes<br />were full of the most solace and peace all day<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h16jT_oXI/AAAAAAAABCk/2v1WFmMl-OY/s1600/DSC06393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h16jT_oXI/AAAAAAAABCk/2v1WFmMl-OY/s320/DSC06393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465247796586062194" border="0" /></a><br />It doesn't take much,<br />one little tree provides so much learning<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h17Lbzc-I/AAAAAAAABCs/V9WPRlTg4QU/s1600/DSC06396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h17Lbzc-I/AAAAAAAABCs/V9WPRlTg4QU/s320/DSC06396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465247807356236770" border="0" /></a>and fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h179EzXyI/AAAAAAAABC0/uzF9Mk-zAPw/s1600/DSC06402.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h179EzXyI/AAAAAAAABC0/uzF9Mk-zAPw/s320/DSC06402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465247820681535266" border="0" /></a>Now, onto work that involves gloves<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h18tSXBLI/AAAAAAAABC8/7rz2zoRtEl0/s1600/DSC06404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h18tSXBLI/AAAAAAAABC8/7rz2zoRtEl0/s320/DSC06404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465247833623299250" border="0" /></a>The great search for a worm<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h2qfqqGAI/AAAAAAAABDM/fHwpVhmisoo/s1600/DSC06408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9h2qfqqGAI/AAAAAAAABDM/fHwpVhmisoo/s320/DSC06408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465248620241098754" border="0" /></a>Papa?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9hd78xWl2I/AAAAAAAABCU/iYDqdYNBX-E/s1600/DSC06410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9hd78xWl2I/AAAAAAAABCU/iYDqdYNBX-E/s320/DSC06410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465221432320890722" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Look at the worm I found Papa!" <br />as the bus driver pulls away with a big smile.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-72965005847364596802010-04-26T21:23:00.000-07:002010-04-27T09:26:39.737-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 9<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cPsUutYRI/AAAAAAAABCM/UkVS6pbdLcI/s1600/DSC06367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cPsUutYRI/AAAAAAAABCM/UkVS6pbdLcI/s320/DSC06367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464853926990668050" border="0" /></a>Piggy Wags<br />Just another day at playschool.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-47784657478801391062010-04-25T20:59:00.000-07:002010-04-26T15:01:06.857-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 8<div style="text-align: center;">A nettles foraging adventure in the North Cascades:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5OVFyzgI/AAAAAAAABBM/omBbAOqUWKQ/s1600/DSC06340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5OVFyzgI/AAAAAAAABBM/omBbAOqUWKQ/s320/DSC06340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477378714717698" border="0" /></a>A hood full<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5NvQXnsI/AAAAAAAABBE/FbhNWlx-8Xo/s1600/DSC06337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5NvQXnsI/AAAAAAAABBE/FbhNWlx-8Xo/s320/DSC06337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477368558526146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">the kids ran free<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W6o4Yve7I/AAAAAAAABBk/BaLdsqncjQQ/s1600/DSC06345.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W6o4Yve7I/AAAAAAAABBk/BaLdsqncjQQ/s320/DSC06345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464478934377659314" border="0" /></a><br />a magical cabin in the woods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5tYo2ONI/AAAAAAAABBU/sPhZ61f7Yzs/s1600/DSC06342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5tYo2ONI/AAAAAAAABBU/sPhZ61f7Yzs/s320/DSC06342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477912242993362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our meals tasted better outside<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5L7fPxxI/AAAAAAAABAs/Dfp__WDQ0dQ/s1600/DSC06331.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5L7fPxxI/AAAAAAAABAs/Dfp__WDQ0dQ/s320/DSC06331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477337482413842" border="0" /></a>We were grateful to be fed so well<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5uXy4DZI/AAAAAAAABBc/WxH1sUEoKH4/s1600/DSC06333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5uXy4DZI/AAAAAAAABBc/WxH1sUEoKH4/s320/DSC06333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477929196490130" border="0" /></a><br />bleeding hearts decorate the table<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5Ml17l8I/AAAAAAAABA0/plLc6WxsXNE/s1600/DSC06336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5Ml17l8I/AAAAAAAABA0/plLc6WxsXNE/s320/DSC06336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477348851849154" border="0" /></a><br />One more jump in the mud<br />before we say goodbye!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5NNC12JI/AAAAAAAABA8/GBCTUUplKBg/s1600/DSC06351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9W5NNC12JI/AAAAAAAABA8/GBCTUUplKBg/s320/DSC06351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464477359374981266" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-82369743568454182382010-04-24T19:59:00.000-07:002010-04-27T09:23:34.463-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 7<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOcl0c6yI/AAAAAAAABCE/WQVZOG_YLaY/s1600/DSC06370.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOcl0c6yI/AAAAAAAABCE/WQVZOG_YLaY/s320/DSC06370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464852557188623138" border="0" /></a><br />New arrivals at little Ita's school<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOHzbc0uI/AAAAAAAABB8/Al0eAmxEGKQ/s1600/DSC06366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOHzbc0uI/AAAAAAAABB8/Al0eAmxEGKQ/s320/DSC06366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464852200064602850" border="0" /></a><br />One free range pet piggy to hang out with free range kids, chickens and bunny<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOHX1LSPI/AAAAAAAABB0/3UdwNhW2mh4/s1600/DSC06369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9cOHX1LSPI/AAAAAAAABB0/3UdwNhW2mh4/s320/DSC06369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464852192656312562" border="0" /></a><br />We parents spent the afternoon at a work party<br />making sure to keep the critters out of the organic garden<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I'm very proud of my little fence.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165585354757644844.post-48960768436797546922010-04-23T21:46:00.000-07:002010-04-23T22:01:33.095-07:00Outdoor Challenge ~ Day 6<div style="text-align: center;">The wind whispers secrets about a nearby pond<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4IIrKNgI/AAAAAAAABAE/TCtZy3gl-74/s1600/DSC06309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4IIrKNgI/AAAAAAAABAE/TCtZy3gl-74/s320/DSC06309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463561379116627458" border="0" /></a>Families gather for the special event<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4JNaqa8I/AAAAAAAABAU/2S6YrnKGOi0/s1600/DSC06302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4JNaqa8I/AAAAAAAABAU/2S6YrnKGOi0/s320/DSC06302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463561397569481666" border="0" /></a>The guest of honor arrives with a procession of smiles <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4InADXjI/AAAAAAAABAM/z82X8fe3tVc/s1600/DSC06303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4InADXjI/AAAAAAAABAM/z82X8fe3tVc/s320/DSC06303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463561387257323058" border="0" /></a><br />The young ones watch with wonder and curiosity <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4KXbU_CI/AAAAAAAABAk/U2Rh_5WdwwE/s1600/DSC06299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4KXbU_CI/AAAAAAAABAk/U2Rh_5WdwwE/s320/DSC06299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463561417436494882" border="0" /></a><br />A baby green darner dragonfly has been born!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4Jh57IbI/AAAAAAAABAc/AqgLpY1_Sek/s1600/DSC06297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 326px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sjZ4LzKZYyY/S9J4Jh57IbI/AAAAAAAABAc/AqgLpY1_Sek/s320/DSC06297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463561403069309362" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0