Disney Pixar "Lava" (Full Song w/ Lyrics)

Finding the Obsidian Jewelry and breaking out the Uke!   I LAVA this!

Alphabet Race Day

Doing our best to get this learned….in a speedy way!

Trails of Weber County

Sometimes I end up in places that I never imagined or never expected.  This beautiful hideaway is probably known by many…but never by me!  Today it was a healer for my soul.  There was no hurry up we must get somewhere in this day. 
 
The sounds of nature, the water rushing over rocks and around bends, and the birds singing to their hearts content…gave my soul life!

The boys were enjoying every minute of this time spent outdoors!

and that unwilling eater even took several bites of a sandwich, enjoyed a piece or two of apple, and plenty of water and apple juice to quench his thirst!

The sound of the train yard crashed with loud booms!

Years of weather have come home to rest here.

and progress continues to make our life easier…Grandma…Look look…it’s Frontrunner!

Harmony and connection…these two boys love spending time with each other.

I can’t imagine the lives that are lurking in shrubbery or water…I won’t venture in to find out!

I am a rookie bicyclist…dirt and gravel pose somewhat of a threat to me…but on this all or nothing journey…silent prayer, deep breath and pedal on!

a warning from the “MEN”   wooden bridges can be just as hazardous….








~ I survived….and will do it again…and I will remind myself that  God doesn’t need me to achieve for him, but he’s inviting me to receive from him.

Tasting

Tastes and Sights ~ Thursday afternoon we journeyed on over to Layton Park for an event we didn’t know has taken place for 5 years now! 

TASTE OF THE TOWN -   Restaurants from all over Layton come and share samples of their culinary skills.  Tickets are a dollar each and the price of each item is from 1 – 5 tickets. 
K wanted to take a nap before we left…but just couldn’t get his eyes to shut so off we go…….

It was a beautiful afternoon and the sights, smells, and sounds made me realize that every day I want to take time to stop, listen, look, and appreciate what’s going on around me. At any time I may stop.  Just stop and absorb my environment. Today was no exception….
Take Notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful….of course that’s shoes for me!


Peanuts…have a life of their own for K.   As soon as he saw the package his eyes were bright with imagination.   They become fireworks, airplanes, boats, food only to name a few!   His ballpark favorite every time!



Friends and family sharing some happy times..and look what friend we happened to find there!  Hello Mr. Combie!

We will definitely find our way back here another year.  

It’s July

Week-Long Observances

• Freedom Week - July 4 - 10 (first week)
• Music for Life Week - July 11 - 18 (second week)
• National Scrabble Week - July 19 - 24
• National Parenting Gifted Children Week - July 21 - 27 (third full week)
• Space Week - July 21 - 27 (third week)

Special Days and Holidays

First Eight Days

• July   1  International Joke Day
• July   2  I forgot Day
• July   2  World UFO Day
• July   3  Disobedience Day
• July   4  Independence Day
• July   8  Video Games Day
• July   8  Math 2.0 Day
• July   8  Liberty Bell Cracks

Second Seven Days

• July 10  Teddy Bear Picnic Day
• July 10  National Clerihew Day
• July 10 – 2015 Our Grandma will be 90 Day
• July 11  Marine Corps Creation Day 1798
• July 11  Cheer Up the Lonely Day
• July 12  Simplicity Day
• July 13  Embrace Your Geekness Day
• July 14  Bastille Day
• July 15  Be a Dork Day

       Next Eleven Days

• July 17  Wrong Way Day
• July 18  World Listening Day
• July 20  Moon Day
• July 20  Chess Day
• July 22  Spoonerism Day
• July 26  All or Nothing Day

       Last Four Days

• July 28  Fingerprint Day
• July 29  NASA's Birthday
• July 30  National Support Public Education Day
• July 30  Comedy Day
• July 30  Harry Potter's Birthday

Get Wet

Pita ~ At Home

 

I bought pita bread at the store a few weeks back….horrible….threw it out!   Attempted to make it at home…

HIT -  SUCCESS --- NOT THAT DIFFICULT!

Dinner is ready!

Homemade Pita Bread

Makes 8 rounds

Ingredients
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

2 1/2 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1-2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

Form the Pita Dough: Mix the water, sugar and yeast together, and let sit for about five minutes until the yeast is dissolved. Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour (saving the last half cup for kneading), salt, and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough is formed. Love my Kitchen Aid …works like a champ every time!

Knead the Dough: Sprinkle a little of the extra flour onto your clean work surface and turn out the dough. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking to your hands or the work surface, but try to be sparing. It's better to use too little flour than too much. If you get tired, stop and let the dough rest for a few minutes before finishing kneading.

Let the Dough Rise: Clean the bowl you used to mix the dough and film it with a little olive oil. Set the dough in the bowl and turn it until it's coated with oil. Cover with a clean dishcloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it's doubled in bulk, 1-2 hours.

At this point, you can refrigerate the pita dough until it is needed. You can also bake one or two pitas at a time, saving the rest of the dough in the fridge. The dough will keep refrigerated for about a week.

Divide the Pitas: Gently deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and gently flatten each piece into a thick disk. Sprinkle the pieces with a little more flour and then cover them with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap wrap until you're ready to bake them.

Shape the Pitas: Using a floured rolling pin, roll one of the pieces into a circle about 8 inches wide and about a quarter inch thick. Lift and turn the dough frequently, as you need to make sure the dough isn't sticking to your counter. Sprinkle with a little extra flour if it is starting to stick. If the dough starts to spring back, set it aside to rest for a few minutes, then continue rolling. Repeat with the other pieces of dough. (Once you get into a rhythm, you can be cooking one pita while rolling the next one out.)

To Bake Pitas in the Oven: While shaping the pitas, heat the oven to 450°. If you have a baking stone, put it in the oven to heat. If you don't have a baking stone, place a large baking sheet on the middle rack to heat.

Place the rolled-out pitas directly on the baking stone or baking sheets (as many as will fit), and bake for about 3 - 5 minutes. I've found it easiest to carry the pita flat on the palm of my hand and then flip it over onto the baking stone. The pita will start to puff up after a minute or two and is done when it has fully ballooned. Cover baked pitas with a clean dishtowel while cooking any remaining pitas.

To Bake Pitas on the Stovetop: Warm a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until a few bead of water sizzle immediately on contact. Drizzle a little oil in the pan and wipe off the excess.

Lay a rolled-out pita on the skillet and bake for 30 seconds, until you see bubbles starting to form. Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side, until large toasted spots appear on the underside. Flip again and cook another 1-2 minutes to toast the other side. The pita should start to puff up during this time; if it doesn't or if only small pockets form, try pressing the surface of the pita gently with a clean towel. Keep cooked pitas covered with a clean dishtowel while cooking any remaining pitas.

Storing the Pitas: Pitas are best when eaten immediately after cooking. Leftover pitas will keep in an airtight bag for several days and can be eaten as they are or warmed in a toaster oven. Baked pitas can also be frozen with wax paper between the layers for up to three months.

Cranberry/Craisins Couscous

Ingredients:

1 12 oz. package couscous

1 14 oz. can vegetable broth

Pinch of salt

3 tablespoons walnut, almond or olive oil

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup dried cranberries/craisins

1/3 cup pine nuts

Directions:

Cook the couscous according to the package directions, using broth instead of water. Add a pinch of salt to the broth. While the couscous is cooking, roast the pine nuts in a very low (250° F) oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. When the couscous has finished cooking, drain any excess liquid. If more liquid is needed to cook the couscous, add water, a little at a time. Pour the couscous into a serving bowl. Add the oil and the lemon juice. Stir well to coat all the grains. Add the cranberries, and pine nuts. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Serve immediately. I'm a couscous lover and this is an amazing combo of cranberry, pinenuts, and couscous! Enjoy

Live Life–Ride a Bike

Today I received a very valuable lesson that I wish I had learned years ago!

K-man has wanted a dog for a very long time (3 years is long in his world)….

We have held off because I’m selfish????   I love dogs but the responsibility is sometimes more than I want.

With summer in full swing the hustle and bustle of places we have to be has dwindled down to …just a few…so would that make it possible to fill his wish list?

No more

Hurry up!

Get up!

Bravo ……

in half an hour!

Will you please eat your breakfast

Have you brushed

your teeth?!

Do you have your backpack

Get in the car….and your car seat!

{BARK BARK BARK}

See K- you don’t need a dog you already have one!

Grandma knows that just doesn’t work….and today we will

Go for an adventure…..

You see Grandpa brought new bikes home……

 

 

{WAG WAG WAG}

So this morning we hit the trail….here we go

not sure…fight the fear!

 

bACK UP…..IT’S A FROG

A CHICKEN COOP….COOOOOOL

Rest Stop…..

and what do we happen to meet…..yes it is a DOG!

and he was happy and playful….just like life is suppose to be!

Lesson learned

Whatever your barks

are…..QUIET them.

Whatever your wags

are…..Keep ‘em coming!

Now we have accomplished family bike ride on our summer bucket list!

Enjoy summer…..come back often we’ll share what we are doing to stop the barking!