Monday, February 28, 2011

Through The Back Gate

Through the Door-honey

Trucks in the Snow

Niamh Down the Hill

Sledding + Flare

Rowan wanted to drive his truck on the path behind the house, which led to the idea of trying our sled on the small slope between the path and the field. We bought this sled years ago in Switzerland and had sadly never used it until now. Turns out it is great fun! One of the many things we meant to get to during our time in Morges, but never did. Kicking ourselves now, as I knew we would, for not using our time there more wisely.

If you are wondering where was on Muriel this particular morning--she was inside with Daddy. When she sees Ro and Niamh excitedly getting ready to go outside on snowy days she thinks she wants to go too, but has always had enough of it after about ten minutes. Oh, yeah. That's why we never did much with the snow when we lived in Switzerland.

Staples RJ Ranch

Staples RJ Ranch

Came across this really cool old ranch building near the bike path. If there hadn't been a stream separating me from it, I would have been tempted to do some trespassing for more photographs.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

2.25.11

Snow On the Lawn Chairs

Shoveling Snow

Hit By Snow
stay out of the way when daddy is shoveling the sidewalks

Muriel Laughing Snow
don't worry, she thought it was funny

Blowing Snow

Niamh + Yellow Truck

Shovel

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Wintery Math

fence + snow haze

+

Cream


=


(square) snow ice cream
snow ice cream!

It snowed Thursday night and almost all day on Friday, giving us the opportunity to make snow ice cream. There are a gazillion recipes out there on the internet, and they are all basically the same. I used two different methods, one with cream (minus the vanilla pudding mix) and one with chilled sweetened condensed milk. I thought the ice cream with the condensed milk would be better, but neither the kids or I could taste a difference. Maybe a side by side test is in order for the next time it snows. One thing I found helpful, which neither website mentions, is to make sure the individual bowls for the ice cream have been chilled for a bit in the freezer before serving. This ice cream melts fast and the chilled bowls help slow it down a bit.

One of my clearest memories of the Thanksgivings spent at my Great-Grandmother's house in Eastern Washington as a child is making snow ice cream with my sisters and cousins. It was fun to do again!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Muriel + Owl Hat

Muriel + Owl Hat

Just got this hat in the mail yesterday, made by the very talented Kat, found here. If she hadn't closed her Etsy shop because her third baby is due in a few weeks I'm pretty sure I'd be ordering at least ten more of The Cutest Hat Ever.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hammond's Candy Factory & Dinosaur Ridge

Hammond's Candy Factory

On Saturday we spent the day in Denver at the Hammond's Candy Factory, and then at Dinosaur Ridge. Both were kind of a bust. We didn't see much candy making at Hammond's because apparently on a Saturday in the middle of winter they don't have a lot of workers. The tour guide told us we should come back either on a weekday or in the summer.

And Dinosaur Ridge?

Dinosaur Ridge

Well, the dino footprints were all covered in snow. But we were the only people at the visitor's center, and the guide that was manning it was really nice and interactive with the kids. At any rate, it was nice to get out of the house for a bit.

Below are a few pics I took at Hammond's.

three kids in hats





red and white candy canes

Cocoa Stirrers



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Finishing Her Lunch at Snack Time is Tough

Muriel + Sandwich

Muriel + Sandwich III

Murile + Sandwich II

These are the looks Muriel gives me when she doesn't eat her entire meal at lunch and I make her finish it in the afternoon before she can have the super gross special snack Rowan somehow talked me into buying at the supermarket.

On a different note, in these pictures Muriel is sporting her very favorite "moon" shirt. When she started asking for her moon shirt every day a month or so ago, I told her over and over that she didn't have a moon shirt. It took me quite a while to figure out what she was talking about.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hold Hands Firmly, Hearts Gently.

One thing I love about being back in the states is all the holiday candy. On the other hand, I do miss a lot of the holiday treats we had in Switzerland. Such a dilemma!

Friday, February 4, 2011

iPhoneography at FuoriBorgo

The lovely Francesca over at one of my favorite blogs, FuoriBorgo, asked me to do a guest post for her on iPhoneography way back in December. Being the terrible procrastinator that I am, I've finally gotten it done for her, nearly two months later. Thanks for being so patient, Francesca!!

Plastic Bins Make a Great Bed
Niamh during quiet time a few weeks ago. Comfy!