Gardening 101

Gardening requires something I clearly lack……Patience.

From Tiger Cub to Wolf Cub

Look at my sweet Tiger Cub, way back in September, 2010.  Jacob had a great time during his first year in Cub Scouts.  He made friends, built boats and race cars, and earned belt loops.  He even skated for the first time because he really wanted to get the Skating belt loop!  It’s been a BIG learning curve for me.  I spent most of this year confused about what his Den was working on and what I was supposed to be doing with him at home.  But, hopefully we’re on the right track now.His Pack had a cake decorating contest at the Graduation Ceremony.  We entered in the category for “Most Patriotic”.  Jacob counted 50 blueberries and helped me put the strawberries on.  We didn’t win, but I think we did a great job!Here he is all ready for his Graduation Ceremony…his last time as a Tiger Cub.At last, a Wolf Cub!  He just beamed all night.  I’m so proud of you, Jakey Boy!

Gardening 101

Snow Peas!  I noticed these today.  Not sure how large they need to be before I can pick them, but I’m so excited to see them!And I found a banana pepper hiding beneath the leaves!Looks like I’ll have some Lincoln Peas soon, too!Here’s my (mostly) salad garden, with carrots, cilantro, swiss chard, cabbage, peas, snow peas, zucchini, basil, and calendula. And here’s my (mostly) salsa garden with cherokee purple tomato, banana pepper, habanero pepper, sweet bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, bush pickle cucumber, spaghetti squash, rosemary, and bush beans.Abraham is so happy thinking about all of the yummy veggies he’ll get to eat.

“Buh-buhs!”

Just a couple of brothers having fun outside with bubbles, or “buh-buhs!” as Abraham called them.Big brother’s gotta keep the bubbles comin’So little brother can keep chasing the “buh-buhs!”Thanks, big brother!

Not Too Bright

This is my dog, Brady.  Brady is a Brittany.  Brittany’s are a breed of hunting dogs; pointers actually.  In the above picture, Brady is sitting outside on the steps, waiting to be let back inside.  He is 0blivious to the rabbit sitting under the trampoline behind him.  In fact, he was unaware of the rabbit during the full 15 minutes he was in the back yard.

Did I mention Brittany’s are hunting dogs? 

Makes Me Smile

Have you ever been in a store and stumbled upon an item that just made you smile?  I’ve been keeping my eye out for new, plastic placemats (plastic because they’re easy to wipe up) and saw these at Kohl’s.  I smiled instantly.  I LOVE their 1950’s look!  AND, they were 50% off and I had a 15% off coupon!  Makes me smile even more.Don’t they make the table look so….homey? It just needs a slice of apple pie, because I don’t really like to eat cherries.

Dark Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Whenever I want to make pancakes, I turn to my hubby’s 30 year-old Betty Crocker Cook Book.  I love this recipe so thought I’d share with you!

Ingredients for nine 4-inch pancakes:

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup milk (I add another 2 Tbsp because I like my batter a little thinner).

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

3 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp saltIn a large bowl, beat egg until fluffy.  Stir in remaining ingredients, just until smooth.  Heat griddle to 350.  Grease griddle with butter.  (I like to use a lot of butter.)  Pour batter onto griddle. There’s one more, important, ingredient that I added…Dark chocolate chips!Now THAT’S getting the day off to a good start!