The New Digs in California

We just came home from visiting in sunny and hot California. The new condo for Casi and Pedro is in the background. The kitchen shot was when we were in the middle of cleaning and sorry for the repeat photo. Doesn't Casi look cute with her belly. Little D will be here in 8 weeks.

Very fun stay with the Diaz family and we enjoyed visiting the LA temple visitors center.

Fun Trip With Kar

Kar and I headed to Canada for the day. We had so much fun. We stopped at Wolf People and saw a couple of wolves that were in a pen in the back of the building. They looked like the big bad wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

We explored Cranbrook and found a Liquidation World to do some shopping. Kar bought a few T-shirts. We bought some huckleberries in Bonners Ferry and ate dinner at the View in Cocalalla. Great restaurant. I am going to miss this girl when she goes off to school. I almost convinced her to stay home instead of go to college but that was only for about 2 seconds. She is moving on. So sad for me. Good luck Kar and have a great year in the books. Love Mom

Salt

Tom and I went to see this movie. The first of the summer. It was action packed and totally unbelievable, but fun. She would have been killed after the first stunt but hey, it's Hollywood.

Noses

Last night Tom and I went to see a free movie in CDA park. The Wizard of Oz. It was sooo fun. We brought our lawn chairs and watched the show with about 300 other people. I had never seen the show entirely before. I think I was always in the kitchen doing dishes or folding laundry before.

This morning we went to a baseball game in the park between the Mennonite Church and New Hope Church. Lots of fun and good sportsmanship. Then we went to the farmers market and I bought some bok choy.

Does the nose on the witch have any similarities with my nose??? Just wondering.

Love this pic of me and Parker.

Random Shots

Random shots from our week together. Rachael's mother Charlyn Cord made the most amazing cupcakes for Casi's baby shower. They were delicious too but it was hard to destroy such a cute cupcake. I think she needs to open a cupcake shop here in town. Coeur d' Alene Cupcake. Sounds good and I would be a customer.

Grandkid Photos

Squirrel vs Tom

See squirrel sitting on top of the recliner. Most people don't have a recliner sitting on their back deck but we do. It was borrowed from the Courtyard for my recovery and is waiting to go back. Meantime the squirrel is enjoying the comfort of the chair. Tom's been hunting this critter. Notice the BB gun laying across the recliner.

More photos

Family Photos 2010

We were so pleased to have everyone home for a few short days. Joni and the kids stayed the longest. Pedro was only with us for a few days. We did do many fun things. Huckleberry picking, picnicking, boating, target practice, swimming, moose and bald eagle spotting in our backyard, sandbox, sidewalk chalk, birthday party, baby shower and wedding reception. Whew---everyone made it home safely and we look forward to our reunion next year.

Maritime Girl's Very Good Granola Recipe

My daughter is asking for my granola recipe so here it is. I found this on the internet and then tweaked it a little to make it my own. ( Sweetened with honey, unsweetened applesauce and coconut).

Maritime Girl’s Very Good Granola Recipe

Makes about 2 pounds

I tweaked the recipe from davidlebovitz.com…/granola_recipe.html . I added a few things I had on hand and left out the brown sugar and rice syrup that his recipe had suggested. Of course you should do the same. I always double this recipe and it seems to work just as well. I usually use 3 jelly-roll pans for this doubled amount.

5 cups multi-grain flakes or old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups almonds/walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup untoasted sesame seeds

1 cup flax seeds

1 cup bran flakes

1 cup shredded coconut

1cup raisins
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried ground ginger
1 teaspoon sea salt

Warm the following in a small saucepan:

3/4 cup (180g) unsweetened applesauce (or another unsweetened fruit puree)
1/2 cup (80g) honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 300F.

1. In a very large bowl, mix together the flaked grains or oats, almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.

2. In a small saucepan, warm the fruit puree with the honey, and oil.

3. Mix the fruit mixture into the dry ingredients until thoroughly moistened, then divide and spread the mixture evenly on two baking sheets.

4. Bake the granola for about 45 minutes, stirring every ten minutes, until the granola is deep golden brown.

5. Remove from oven, and then cool completely.

Store the granola in a large, airtight container. It will keep for up to one month. I have never had it last that long!!! Enjoy.