TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING, MY MAN CLAN DECIDED TO BUILD AN IGLOO

and of course, play, play, play.

HAWAIIAN DAYS FESTIVAL

is tomorrow in San Clemente, 10-5....

photo here

We have a LongBoardLarry booth there, come by and say hi!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY

Seaside, Oregon May 2008

We're in full swing having a busy, fun and fantastic week...

THERE WAS A WATER FIGHT...

And someone may have not enjoyed it too much when the action came his way....

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

4 WHEELERS, BABY FARM ANIMALS

and A LOT of family fun.....

It couldn't have been any more fun...

A CENTURY OLD CELEBRATION

of the beginning of spring is making May Day baskets.
Two of my man clan made some at Al's and then we left the flower filled baskets on doorsteps and ding-dong-ditched....

Happy May Day!

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL HAVING A LITTLE

break from the rain....

Spring flowers make me so happy.....

2 OF THE MAN CLAN WENT

to a class at Al's to learn about planting vegetables....

We'll be building our raised beds soon and are excited to have the boys be a part of the process.

Two fun things we're planting are purple carrots and purple beans - we can't wait to try them...

EASTER GOODIES = FUN

and shenanigans....

A sugar high = oh. my. goodness.....

HAPPY EASTER

Hymn 136 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my humble soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heavenly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives and while he lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives, my mansion to prepare.
He lives, to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior still the same.
Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

I hope you have had a lovely Easter Sunday.

COLORING EASTER EGGS

was hilarious fun this year...

Their 'old school' charm, along with our dyed fingers were a perfect combo....

I LOVE HEARING GIGGLING

while we watch TV together.

Tonight we watched It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown and it just made my heart full....
Snuggling on the couch with my wee ones, being amused, laughing and having a great 'quieter' time with my man clan.

It's the best....

FIREFLIES

intrigue me and I have a vague childhood memory of running around and catching some with mason jars in hand when we lived in Indiana....

photo found here

I'd love to relive that memory one day.
I'll be visiting Iowa in a few weeks, and I heard through the grapevine fireflies reside there.
Sherri, what do you think my chances are to frolic with the fireflies?

TIRE SWINGS AND TREE FORTS

aren't in our back yard since we don't have honkin' trees....

But the wee ones have access to that boy fun and love it...

{TUTORIAL} CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW EGGS

Wash and dry an egg. Fill three 11x13 pans with flour, approx 1 - 1 1/2 inches deep. Push egg into flour to create a mold.

In a large bowl combine 2 envelopes gelatin and 1/4 cup water and let stand. Boil 1 cup water and add to gelatin. Mix well and add 2 cups sugar, a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla and if you wish, food coloring.

Beat with mixer until thick and soft peaks form. If you use a mixer like mine, it will take you about 15 minutes, which seems like an eternity - one of these days I'll have one of these.
Martha, can you hear me? I need a fairy godmother to hook me up with kitchen tool awesomeness!!

Spoon mixture into flour molds and let the marshmallow set.

When set, turn eggs in flour to coat all sides. Remove and brush off excess flour.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Dip eggs and cover all sides. Place on wax paper to cool and set.

I was out of wax paper so I used tin foil. See Martha, I told you I need you!

It's as easy as that.
Enjoy your wonderfully delicious, imperfect, one of a kind, soft marshmallow eggs that will make your tastebuds dance.

Thanks again Mona for teaching me how to make these!!