Summer Bounty

Raspberries! Those little boogers play a nasty game of Hide-and-Seek! They are always tucked up under thorny branches and leaves where you can't see them.

I never grow zucchini in my own garden. There are always generous gardeners (like Cate's dad) who like to share.

Jeannette's Zucchini

1 smallish onion, sliced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 biggish zucchini (do they come in any other size?), sliced

olive oil

parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil on high heat for 1-2 minutes. Add zucchini slices. Resist stirring too much, so the onions and zucchini get nice brown, crispy edges. Add parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Yummy!

Mysterious Benedict Society

I finished reading The Mysterious Benedict Society to Claire and Lily today. What a great book! The last chapters had me nervous in suspense, giggling and "woo-hooing" for joy!

The girls have been begging me to write them messages in Morse Code (just like the children in the book). This website has been really helpful--as in, I would never write my children messages in Morse Code if not for this website!

Michiluca Pictures

Monarch Invasion

While camping in Michigan we found a number of Monarch eggs and caterpillars. We have been raising a nursery of eggs, caterpillars and cocoons ever since.

The girls pick milkweed leaves for the caterpillars to eat. Two or three times when picking leaves, they have unknowingly brought home more eggs. Presently we have 2 cocoons, 3 caterpillars and 2 eggs. They are so much fun to watch! Butterfly pictures to follow!

Mo Willems

Lily wrote to one of our favorite authors, Mo Willems, in early June. While we were on vacation she received a response! ("Blargie" is a reference to one of his books.)

Mo's Gerald and Piggie books are our favorites! Not only are they great for beginning readers, but they are also laugh-out-loud funny. We highly recommend them!

***Why does Blogger "flip" the orientation of pictures sometimes? I wanted the pictures to be horizontal. Any ideas?

Zoo: Success

We went to the Zoo last night. Everyone remembered underwear and shoes.

Happy Birthday Lily!

My little girl is six. These years have gone so fast.

We didn't have time to do our usual birthday shrine or fuss over her because we were frantically getting ready for vacation, but she enjoyed her day. The parade was lots of fun. She received some nice gifts (books, canvas bag, crafting supplies, dress) and went to sleep very, very happy.

Menu:

Chicken Wings

Fruit

Carrots and dip

Ice Cream Sundaes with maraschino cherries and sprinkles

Gift from Dad and Mom:

Purple Razor scooter

Parade