What Came First, the Picture or the Post?

I've taken on average over a thousand pictures a month since the beginning of the year when I bought my new camera. Of course, many of these pictures have been deleted; ah, the beauty of digital! Some pictures I take with a post in mind, such as the pictures of no-knead bread in various stages to accompany the recipe. Other times I shoot just for the sake of taking pictures, only to find that a post develops from a single picture, or a series of pictures tell a story, like the magic tent.

Then there are other pictures that are just completely random. Pictures that capture a moment or convey a message or just make me laugh. Some of these pictures make their way to flickr, while others stay on my media card, taking up space while I wonder what to do with them. Well, it is time to make room on my media card (after all I've a thousand pictures to take this month), so I've decided to just share some random photos today.



See the smiling face? I really need to wash my windows, but how could I destroy such precious art?



Sorry Jenny, I just couldn't help myself. I had to take a picture of your butt. You have beautiful tail feathers.



My brother-in-law's stogy, which he no doubt finished smoking on his way home.



I know bugs deserve privacy too, but once again, I couldn't help myself.



OK, obviously I have a fascination with the private lives of critters. The other day I was laying on the hammock, minding my own business, when I heard a rustle in the weeds. I called to Avery to bring me my camera, then the kids and I spent several hours watching the lizards conduct their business. Another fine homeschooling moment.

I have a strong feeling my mom has her feet pulled up off the ground after seeing the last picture - sorry Mom! Aren't you glad they aren't snakes?

To all of you who patiently read and thoughtfully commented on my recent posts about being sick and yelling at my poor child, thank you! It hasn't been the best week, but your kind words certainly made it better. I promise more interesting topics in the future, at least until the next time I get sick. Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Pick Your Battles

The best relationship advice I ever received was from my aunt, who cautioned me to choose my battles wisely. It took me years to understand what she meant, and a few more years to put her advice into practice. Sometimes, though, especially when I am tired and sick, I choose my battles poorly.

Last night for instance, at 10:30, after both kids were tucked in bed and lights were out, when Aidan decided he needed his night light. I can't stand night lights. For one, they are a huge waste of electricity - they work their magic, keeping monsters at bay for the ten to twenty minutes it takes children to fall asleep, then become monsters themselves; little vampires, sucking energy all night long. Second of all, I don't sleep well unless the house is completely dark. And third, I had no idea where to find Aidan's night light, or "moon" as he cried and whined from his top bunk.



The night light should have been in his room, but our children are notorious for relocating household items to random places. I had no idea where to begin looking for the moon. I was tired, and sick, and dying to fall asleep in a completely dark house where very little electricity was being wasted. So I yelled at Aidan to stop crying about the moon and go to sleep.

If you have never yelled at your child, you are a saint of the highest order. Pass Go and collect everlasting glory. I am no saint. I yell at innocent victims of night light relocation. Poor Aidan. His cry became a whimper. Then he had an idea - "Mom, I think my night light is on the back porch." I looked, to no avail, but as I was coming back into the house I spied a white cord sticking out from under George's night stand. The moon was found.



The boy was happy.

The mom apologized.

The boy fell asleep.

The mom sneaked into his room and turned off the night light, because some battles are worth fighting. Like the battle to save electricity. But I'll save that story for later.

Still Sick

As a dog.



Down for the count.



Can't wait to get back on my feet.



Life is certainly uncertain. I'll be back eventually.

Vacation Sick

When my brother was 6 or 7 years old, he came down with the stomach flu while we were vacationing in Lake Tahoe. He came out of our room onto the porch, clutching his stomach, looking green, and said, "Now I know what it feels like to be vacation sick."

As much fun as we had camping the last few days, I now know what it feels like to be vacation sick too. Our first night at camp I was nearly delusional with a fever, my head felt like a boulder the size of our tent (which is a very large tent) and I grimaced with pain each time I swallowed. As soon as the kids awoke, I sent them to grandma's trailer to get some pain reliever. Thank goodness for her expired bottle of Aleve.

Are you ready for the rest of the story? The kids and I drove 200 miles with my in-law's to camp with a flickr friend whom we had never met. Yes, a two day long blind date, far from home, chaperoned by my in-laws. It was the best blind date I've ever been on.

Sarah and I had exchanged many lengthy emails and talked on the phone for an hour before deciding to meet in person - what an excellent decision we made. From coffee in the morning til toasted marshmallows at night, we exchanged stories, compared notes on homeschooling and parenting, shared delicious food, and watched our children become fast friends.



The kids combed the beach for mermaid scales, climbed trees, and trolled the campground on their bikes in search of mysteries.



As we were packing up to go yesterday morning, Aidan informed me he was ocean sick, which I interpreted as sick of the ocean and homesick; though I know he had a very good time with his new little friend, who was more than willing to pull his finger.



We are already making plans to camp again - this time in my neck of the woods without chaperones. I'll make sure to pack medication, just in case someone gets vacation sick.

I Miss Daddy

Our foothill home will be shy three companions for the next few days. While daddy holds down the fort, mommy and the wee ones will be camping out.

Daddy: we already miss you. See you in three days. We promise to bring back stories and lots of hugs.

This Magic Moment

When our neighbors gave us their old tent, we had no idea it was a magic portal. The kids couldn't wait to set it up in the front yard; they must have known there was something special about the tent.



As soon as the last stake was in place, the children entered the tent and were instantly transported to the world of make believe. They hadn't been there for a while; in fact I worried they didn't remember how to get there. You won't here me say this often, but I'm glad I was wrong.



Out came the costumes, props and even make-up.



The dreaded pirate was in pursuit



of the native princess.



Their visit to the land of make believe lasted for several hours, leaving me with time alone in the house - magic indeed. Next week the tent will be erected once again, under giant redwoods, above a sandy beach, alongside new friends. I can't wait to see where the magic portal takes us from there.

Lemon Dill Dressing

You are going to thank me for this recipe, but the thanks really goes to my aunt who found this recipe in a magazine ages ago and turned it into a family favorite. My aunt serves this dressing in a salad composed of lettuce, tri-color pasta, cubes of monterey jack cheese, marinated artichoke hearts and red onions. I have simplified the salad dramatically and serve it on homegrown lettuce. I am a simple salad kind of girl.



My kids prefer the dressing on rainbow pasta. I add chopped broccoli to the boiling pasta during the last three minutes of cook time, then rinse the pasta and broccoli in cold water and let it cool down before tossing it with the dressing.



Lemon Dill Dressing

1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
zest and juice of one lemon
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients. For best results, make ahead of time and refrigerate for a few hours to allow flavors to meld.



One of my favorite things about making this dressing is using my two favorite kitchen tools. Pampered Chef makes the best garlic press, hands down; and no kitchen is complete without a Microplane, or four (two fine grater, one coarse grater, one ribbon grater). I can zest the lemon and grate the cheese with one single tool.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Perhaps it will become one of your family's favorites too!