How to bake an apple pie

find a perfect chef and a very willing student

select gorgeous, tasty apples

peel and slice apples

stage a silly photo with the uncle who
was sitting in the background of the last photo reading
the newspaper while the women work!

slice (very carefully) the apples

squeeze the lemon

rick...go back to your paper!

no...really squeeze that lemon!

add the yummy spices

shake....shake...shake...

steal a little taste

mmm...delicious

spread out the bottom crust

arrange it in the pie pan

pour in the tasty apples

...aaahhhh...

spread out the top crust

arrange it over the apples

prepare the egg wash and

spread it over the crust

cut vents in the crust

~a happy face works best~

sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar

make some more funny faces

~

bake

~
wait patiently

~

enjoy the delicious aroma coming from the kitchen

~

two happy cooks

one gorgeous and delicious pie!

~

totally forgot to take a picture of Emma digging in...oops!

thanks, Aunt Annie, for an experience she'll remember forever

~~~

and a happy birthday to you tomorrow!

Beautiful Gloom

On the drive back home through Eastern Oregon, we got to

experience some of that good ol' Oregon rain.

For me, it made the landscape even more beautiful.

As I sat in the passenger seat and watched the clouds envelop

the green hills and pines, it made me think of the setting for the book series

I just finished reading...Scotland. If I could travel to anywhere in the world,

it would be Scotland.

Someday, I want to live in this valley, on this little homestead.

When we used to live in Portland and would travel to Mom and Dad's for a week-long visit, we knew the trip was almost done when we came upon this sign. We'd call Mom and Dad and the kids would sing the Vandal's fight song...I-D-A-H-O...Idaho...Idaho...Go...Go...Go!!

Emma's new skirts

I took advantage of a few extra hours over the past couple of days and

made Emma some new twirly skirts.

I love how excited she gets.

My favorite is the black/pink one...reminds me of scrapbook paper.

Her favorite is the strawberry one...she picked out the fabric for it herself.

Field trip to the zoo

Emma's preschool class took a fieldtrip to the zoo this morning.

We were a bit concerned with the clouds that had rolled in, but it

turned out to be a beautiful day.

~

The giraffes are new to our zoo. Each time we've been there, they've been shy.

Today, however, they were out in the open...even running around a bit.

All of the kids love the lions.

They were pretty calm this time...just taking in the sunshine.

This pic is a bit dark...I'm so happy that I'm able to go on the
field trips with the kids. So nice to be able to see their excitement.


We cannot go to the zoo without a few trips down the giraffe slide.

One of the things I knew I'd miss this spring were the flowering trees that

were in such abundance in Portland. Imagine my delight when I discovered

that they are all over here! Throughout the zoo, you could smell the cherry blossoms.

For me, there is no better smell.

Another reason I prefer our zoo over the Portland Zoo is the fact that

your guaranteed a look...and usually a very close look...at the tigers. This tiger was just on the other side of the glass from the kids.

Emma's favorite part of the zoo is the caurosel.

I need help!!

I found this to put on the wall over...

this in the front entryway.

Bob's great-aunt recently passed away. His mom asked if I wanted her old sewing machine.

It's has all of the original accessories, including the owner's manual.

I have tw options as to where to put it...either back in our bedroom where it will live a

very sad lonely existence (no one ever goes back there but us), or I can put it in the front entry way as an entray way table. Most of the older machines I've seen...the actual sewing machine folds down into the cabinet. This one stays on top and has a box that covers it. I'll have to figure out how to work that in, but I thought this old window would look great over the sewing machine. I've seen them decorated with family photos, vinyl letters, dried flowers.

I need help with this one!

Does anyone have any ideas for the window?

Should I sand it and refinish it or leave it in it's weathered glory?

It is missing the upper right pane of glass...I'm hoping I can just leave that as it is and work

it into the whole thing...maybe an embroidery piece would fit in that spot?

HELP!!!

Our weekend

We were so pleased to finally have enough room to have the workers come to stay.

The kids loved their time with Jay and Chris.

We hope to have them back in the future!

Bob loves being able to spend time with us on the weekends again!

Go, Fish!

Emma asked Chris to color with her. He picked out a page to color. When she

saw it, she told him that she'd find an easier one for him to color. :)

Their collaboration...what a work of art!

Ryan's project on Sunday afternoon.

After school this afternoon, I went up to find Emma in her room reacquanting herself

with all of her toys. This baby needed to be rocked.

Happy Anniversary!!

My parents celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary today.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the wonderful example you have

been for all of us.

We love you!