Abby in the flowers

Springtime in CA is really pretty. Along the freeways there are fields of poppies, purple lupine, and lots of other flowers. I don't know what these ones are called, but the bright color is super fun! I love her wrinkle nose smiles . . . I put a couple more pics on my photo blog

Morning Activites

Abby loves her doll. She likes to brush her hair . . .


And give her kisses


Abby wore this blue dress when she was first born.
And - I think this was my sister Amy's cabbage patch when we were little. :0)

Adventures in Dining

John and I like to experiment in the kitchen. Sometimes it's a disaster, sometimes great, it's always fun!

Tonight we made mozzarella sticks and dipped them in marinara. Since we were playing test kitchen, we did them three different ways
1 - in a pan with a decent amount of oil
2 - in a pan with a little oil
3 - under the broiler, sprayed with cooking spray

While each method had it's merits, the winner was 2 - in a pan with a little oil.



Here's the basics if you'd like to give it a try!

Heat a little oil in a pan on medium heat.
Mix tempura with a little water in a small dish.
In another small dish, put panko, salt, pepper, and whatever else you want (I used oregano and basil)
Cut string cheese sticks in half
coat them in tempura, then coat them in Panko
Stick 'em in the pan
Watch and turn them diligently

Yummy!! Somewhat reduced fat mozzarella sticks! Dip them in your favorite marinara - I like pizza sauce from Fresh and Easy (sorry Trader Joes!!)

Devotions with Jesus Storybook Bible

Abby is slow to wake up in the morning. For the past couple months, she calls for us when she wakes up, she's happy to see us, but she wants to stay in her bed. That's just fine with us! So we give her a cup of warm milk and a book and let her ease into the day. This is one of her favorite books. Honestly and truly! :0) I think she likes the bright pictures but we laugh and say she's doing her "quiet time". If you don't have one of these, get one at the FBC book rack!!

sunglasses

It's too bright!



Ahhhh . . . much better

Friday Mahem

Usually I post pictures. Today I have a story to tell. Friday when I got up, I noticed something about the shower pressure. It was low - "I think I'm getting wet" low. I had just gotten an EMWD statement in the mail talking about water rationing and tiered pricing so my thoughts were along the lines of, "man, they weren't kidding!!" After the shower, I tried the kitchen sink, and when it was a light flow, I began investigating.

As soon as I went around the side of the house, I knew. A solid pool of water up against the side of our house, down the entire length of the house, overflowing onto the concrete path and lapping up against Abby's playhouse. I'm really not exaggerating.

Two words came to mind: water main. I ran around the house to the main sprinkler control box. Looked at the water meter thing. No button or lever looked like it shut off all the water in our yard. Of course John is out of town. Didn't answer the phone. Neighbor? First one not home. John texts: Do you need me to leave the preaching session (at Shepherd's conference) and call you? I text: YES!!

Where is the water main? In the very back corner of the pond. I put on John's big boots and wade to where I know the green box is. John had me fish around with my foot to find the cover for the main. Then he says: Just pry off the lid and reach down about 9 inches. You'll find a lever and pull it up.

Boys might not have a problem with this, but as I looked at the brown water, with dead bugs and worms floating on the top I REALLY wished John was home! But I knew I HAD to do it. I felt like Sam Gamgee looking at the black gates of Mordor who said, "There's nothing for it, Mr. Frodo. We've got to go in there."

The deed was done, some water bailed, the rest went down a great drain that John put in, our yard is very well watered. :0)

Ladies, do you know where your water main is??

Disney birthdays

We love Disneyland on birthdays! This year you get in for free on your birthday - or if you have a season pass, they give you "Disney credit" to spend moolah in their shops! We went again Monday for John's birthday. Abby had a GREAT time. She loved all the kids, and the carousel, and rides that were slow!