Sometimes You Just Don't Take Enough

Pictures, that is.

And there's not quite enough time to do more.

Or relax more.

And you just have to savor in the pictures you do take.

And look forward to getting together again!

And We're Off!

So, Sunday morning I JUMPED out of bed, realizing I have been putting off watering my garden for two weeks.
Ya,
I know.
While I was out there, our nice back-fence neighbors caught me in my p.j.'s.

I was just clomping around in my cute waders, running, yanking, hosing everything down before I dove back inside and got things ready for church. But those neighbors always make me smile and they always give us something. They're retired.
This time, it was three Astilbe plants.
They also made note that they hadn't "seen us out" in a while.
I looked around at our disheveled back yard and replied, "Ya. Sorry you have to look at our yard."

Has it been a busy couple of months for you? It seems like everyone is holding their breath and running to summer. We get some down time- yes, but all the fun programs, events, meetings, and cub scout day camp deadlines--Oh My! Pinewood Derby is always a hit, too.

.. let's just say I'm ready for a weekend with friends.

Hope (and Granola)

I hope you had a great mother's day, because hey! -If you've got a belly button, you've got reason to celebrate and give thanks, right? Right? Anyway.

I learn a lot about life, real and genuine immersion-living, from my little children. Gives me hope for everything.

I'm not sure what to say, except know that I'm in Reflection. (When am I not?)

And,

I am going to share my granola recipe.
It isn't a tradition and it wasn't from my saintly great-grandma nor my beloved aunt, but it is about to be a tradition. And I found it on the internet (traditional). And a mother and daughter made it up. I have changed it some, so I will call it: "Hike with Me" Granola. Because we should go hiking. You and I. Me and You. Together. (Can't you tell I'm relishing Spring!?!)
Hike W Me Granola
9 C. Rolled Oats
1 1/2 C. Wheat Germ
1 1/2 C. Oat Bran
1 C. Roasted Soy Nuts (or Sunflower Seeds)
1 C. Almonds, finely chopped
1 C. Walnuts, finely chopped
1 C. Pecans, in pieces
2 Tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Maple Syrup
3/4 C. Honey
1 C. Canola Oil (or Vegetable Oil)
1 Tb. Cinnamon
2 Tb. Vanilla Extract
Very Optional:
2 C. Raisins or Crasins or Chocolate Chips, better make that 3 C.
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-Preheat oven to 325 F. Line two large baking sheets with wax paper.
-Combine oats, wheat germ, oat bran, soy nuts, tree nuts, and half the salt in a very large bowl. Though, I use my large roasting pan. I don't really use it for anything else. And certainly not since my husband started cooking our Thanksgiving turkey in a dutch oven. 'Nough Said.

If the aroma of the oat bran doesn't get you, 

wait 'til you get to the next part.

Give it an extra squeeze, hon.

-In a sauce pan, stir together remaining Salt, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Honey, Oil, Cinnamon, and Vanilla. Bring to a boil and pour over dry ingredients. STIR WELL to coat. Use your hands. That's an order. Spread mixture out on lined baking sheets. Please.

-Bake until crisp and toasted, about 20-25 minutes. Stir or loosen mixture with a spatula half way through baking.

-Let nearly cool on pans. Before completely cool, Loosen and transfer granola to a large air-tight container. (If you wait until it is completely cool, it will stick to the paper)
-After cooling, add optional ingredients.

Did I mention it makes almost 5 quarts? You'll like that part. You also might need three baking sheets. And a third rack in your oven. Make some adjustments.

I had a picture of it in a cute bowl with milk pouring on it. -But I think I ate it.

....and yes, I just realized I could probably have used my roasting pan for baking and saved myself a little. There's always next time.

ENJOY!

Keepin' It Real

So, I take a lot of pictures that never make it to the internet. (A real shame, right?) You miss a lot that goes on at our house. You are even missing noteworthy coinages like, "Oh My CRAP!!!" and boisterous renditions of "Pants on the Ground."

In any case, I'm choosing to not let things go to waste and memorialize the following:

Ever had a time when you want your photo subject to look at you and smile while she is being so dainty in dress-up, but instead, you end up causing a riot...? T minus 3...2...1...

We have times where I don't want anyone to look or pose and they just totally want to look. Right at me! Instead of Play-Dough using Mr. Potato head parts and Handy Manny tools, no less? Sheesh.

Or this one, which I thought was pretty cute, however, since I was photographer and not a good mom at the moment, she proceeded to fall out with a bump before I could look up and lunge at her....

Sometimes, I get just plain too-close while on photo safari.
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This just made me wonder.................. ...... . . . . . . . . . . .. . .
...........and I'm sure you're wondering, but--no, I can't even say that the sculptor was reenacting her Gorgeous mother doing her ten-thousandth push up for the day...)
If you haven't clicked away from the site yet, check out this oddity.

While Lil' sisser was napping, I actually dozed on the couch while Big sis watched a movie. I think she said she wanted an orange at some point.
I told her to help herself.
She proceeded to carve at it like--WAIT, WHAT??

I attempt to cook. I'll talk about that later.
But granola gets just a little bit harder when you are trying to hold really still with a measuring cup in one hand and a camera in the other with your head kinked sideways and you are squinting through the little eye piece, and no one will help you and when your digital image shows up after you give in exhale, a big squishy, giant hand has magically appeared. Right there. In your photo. Pinching stuff. You see it? You see that? Well the person standing next to me at the time said he couldn't see it.

YEP.

Sometimes, the Woody's really know how to keep it real.

Sorry, Babe. It might be funnier later.