Surrounded by Fire

Last weekend we had a large thunder and lightening storm. It made Erick and I think of our days in Midwest, where they happened all time. Apparently, there is a reason that they are not suppose happen here, because everything burns up. Currently there are 158 fires burning in our county alone. Regardless of the fires and the smoke the last week has been pretty much normal except for the ashes, and the burning lungs when your trying to run. Last Saturday, I took the kids to the Energy Fair/Summer Solstice party, where we were rained on for a little while and then the lightening and thunder started.

Regardless of the weather the kids had a great time.

This weekend was the local swim meet and here are a few shots of Ty

A view from the start of the 50M Butterfly

Ty set and new PR for the 50M freestyle and they got a swimming pin and so he was pretty excited.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

I had a great birthday! Lisa took my kids during afternoon and sent me to go get a pedicure. It was wonderful. Erick and the kids took me out to dinner, and then made me a homemade cake. (Not even from a box). The next night I had a nice dinner and pool party with some friends.

Thanks for the wonderful birthday everybody!!! I was given this wonderful plant that looks great with the new house color.

I also was given a recipe that I have been looking for for a long time. It was in the paper a few years ago and I clipped it out but I have since lost it. I had looked online and searched around but couldn't find it. Becky had the "in" and was able to find it for me. She was so excited to give it to me. As soon as dinner was over she was asking me if it was time to open presents yet. I must admit that when I pulled out the bag of dried apricots I started to question her gift giving abilities, but not to fear as I dug further I found the recipe and all of the ingredients to make it. I decided to make them the next day. I love the food blog the Daily Bite and so I am going to present this recipe to you in the same format.

Marathon Bars

These are very healthy, they are the perfect food for after that long run or bike ride. I eat about half before and half after.

1 cup whole almonds, toasted

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

Zest and juice of 1 orange

3 cups chopped, dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries and apricots

3/4 cups flax seed

3/4 cups soy milk (whole milk or buttermilk works fine, too.)

Combine all the dry stuff up to the oats. Mix well.

Add the zest, fruits and nuts. Combine.

Add the flax and the milk. Mix the dough until you can form into several 6 inch discs ( I got about 10). Flatten with your hand on a baking sheet, like a hamburger patty. Squeeze oranges over the tops (or just brush with juice).

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Where has the month gone ?? Quick update

Here are a few pictures from the last month, things have finally kind of settled down here after the frenzy of end of school year activities.


When Tyler was in his play the girls felt a little left out and so the dressed up too.

Here are the girls in music class.

Abbie is now officially a Kindergartner. She loved preschool and still asks me everyday when we can go visit Teacher V. Abbie just learned to ride a bike without the training wheels and wants to ride her bike everyday. She also wants to do her homework everyday and so I made her a drawer with activities for her to do in it. Hopefully she keeps this up when school actually starts.

Here is a picture of my boys at the Father and Sons camp out. I have a picture of them at this very same place every year since Tyler was 2. Its amazing to see how he has grown....

Tyler has since finished the 2nd grade. This is him with his teacher. Thanks Mrs. H for a wonderful year.

Tyler with his friends after their 2nd grade play.

P.S. sorry about the format I'm still trying to figure this stuff out.