Strawberry Kisses Anyone?

It is raining...again and the kids are going stir crazy. We have played Mouse Trap and several other board games. And we are bored with them. So, the girl decided to make perfume. She had a perfume kit. You mix the perfume base with the essential oils to create different fragrances. She made Strawberry Kiss and Bakery Sweet (and sweet smelling it is). It was fairly easy.

Whoo's That?

So, I was looking out the bedroom window as I was putting away the laundry. I see a pretty bird on the back fence. I ran and took a picture of it. Unfortunately, the camera is set to low resolution for blog pics. That'll learn me! At first I thought it was a falcon. There are several peregrines nesting in the city. Any guesses as to what this is? Drum roll please...

It is a Northern Pygmy Owl. I am including a picture of one from the website where I found out what it is. It is very tiny, under 7 inches. I actually went out side and got closer to it. I was about to snap a clearer picture, when a big ol' crow started cawing and flew overhead. Mr. Owl took off so fast, I could't get the shot. Who needs country living when there is a wildlife preserve in the old suburbs.

Snow

This picture shows how gray and dreary it is. We've been getting all the rain, and the hills south of us got some snow. This is a the view south from our front yard - for those of you who won't ever come and visit.

Time to go camping

The kids, apparently, have cabin fever. So they are camping. A little to close to home for me to enjoy the solitude since they set up camp in the living room.



Luckily the fire probably won't burn down the house (notice the orange crayon used for realism)

Zhu Zhu Pet Palace

The kids got a bunch of legos for Christmas. They are really into them. The Girl built a house for her Zhu Zhu pets. There is a grandfather clock, bunk beds, chairs, flower garden, big screen t.v. and a menagerie. The Boy was her helper/laborer. I see management in her future.

Not a Puppy!

Ok, we miss Snowflake. So, I improvised. The boy got this hat at school today. I asked him if he was a puppy. He told me "No, I am a person wearing a puppy hat". Can't argue with that logic.

The Ice Man Cometh...

This is for the cousins. We love skating! Thank you for teaching us. Here is the first lesson. By the end of the lesson, they were doing the 'hockey pokey'. They can't wait for their next lesson.

Walrus Salad

What is this delicious looking concoction? If you guessed Walrus salad, you would be correct. Santa brought my girl a cookbook for Christmas. She made an orange round salad the other day for a snack. Today she made the Walrus salad. If you are interested, it has almonds, yogurt, apples and celery in it. I know, it sounds suspiciously like another famous "W" salad.

Winter Vegetables

It has been raining lately, so this is the first opportunity to get out and harvest the garden. The broccoli actually turns dark purple when cooked. The turnips will be in tonight's dinner. I wonder if I can sneak them past the kids, if I mix them in with the potatoes.

Not Quite Marathon Man

...but close

winter harvest

Roasted some of our vegetables.

Turnips ok. Radishes ok. Carrots good.

winter garden update

Garden overview


Crazy carrot (I suppose this is what they mean when they say clay soils will make a carrot fork, although you can't really tell in the picture. But believe me, it's a crazy looking hand in staid of a normal carrot)


Turnips. Notice how I didn't thin them.


Purple brocoli.