Turquoise Paint

It feels like eons since I've written a post.

There are so many reasons why I've been absent.

Some of the more complicated ones are discussed here.

Others are less complicated. 

And a whole lot more fun.

Like painting.

We've been painting things turquoise.

The weather has been so beautiful lately that we spend as much time as we can outside.

We do a lot of our school work outside on a blanket under the avocado tree.

Spending so much time in the backyard has me itching to do all sorts of projects out there.

One of the things we've tackled is the playhouse.

Take a look at this floor.

It was crying for a makeover.
So we gave it one.

James did the cutting in.
He has a steadier hand than I do.
And he loves being better at things than I am.
It's any kid's dream, right?

William and Lilly did the rest of the floor.

There are a few places with extra paint.
But I'd rather they get to paint their own playhouse and make a few mistakes, than I do it all myself and make a few less mistakes.
Because really, only James would have done it perfectly anyway.

We've done a bit more on the playhouse.
Maybe I'll get around to doing a little tour of it soon.


After painting the playhouse floor, I got out the turquoise paint again.

And I gave our picnic table it's annual, summer coat.

It looks so good in turquoise.
Practically everything does.


There have been lots of other projects, big (sorting and organizing hundreds of books) and small (spray painting light switch plates).
I hope to share them with you.
Sooner or later.
If you've stuck around despite my sporadic posting, I appreciate it.
I do like being here when I get the chance.


Love from,
Greta

Photo a Day Challenge: April

So this is my last Photo a Day post for at least a week.

And, since I can't seem to find much blogging time during the week lately, it may be my last post all together for at least a week.

We'll see.

So here's the last week of April and the first 2 days of May.

I wanted to include all 4 pictures from our camping trip.

So many good memories--these are just a snippet.

Here's to another week of making sweet memories.

April 23, 2012

Vegetable

April 23 was James 8th birthday.

I made him all kinds of the foods that he liked.

For breakfast I made cream biscuits from my favorite breakfast cookbook.

We smothered them in butter and apricot jam.

And, because it was his birthday, there wasn't a vegetable in sight,

all day long.

Happy Birthday, James, my little food lover and vegetable hater.

April 24, 2012
Grateful

The kids and I went to Gum Grove park for the afternoon.

It is one of our favorite places.

In spring, Gum Grove is incredibly beautiful.

We walked up this hill completely covered with wildflowers.

I asked them to stand together so I could take a picture of them.

They said, "Moooom, we want to get to the rope swing."

And as they complained about me taking yet another picture of them,

they stood together like this.
Just on their own accord.

Oh yes, I am so grateful for these 3 little people.

Thank you, Jesus, for making me a mother.

April 25, 2012
Looking down

I love when I look down at Davy now,

he looks up at me and waves.

"Hi Davy-boy," I smile at him.

He smiles back and waves.

He's trying so hard to say hi, 

and sometimes he gets it.

But that little waving hand is sweet enough.

Gosh I love this darling boy.

April 26, 2012
Black and white

Before breakfast, the boys set up this battle scene.

The dominoes made the walls and fortresses.
Pawns and rooks made the cannons.
Knights and bishops were the soldiers.
The king and queen were closely guarded, of course.
I love the way they plunge into enjoying their day from the moment they wake up.
It's a stark contrast to me,
who keeps saying things like, 
"do you all have to be so loud?  I just woke up!"
Perhaps if I went to bed at 8 I might have a bit more energy in the morning too.
Maybe tomorrow.

April 27, 2012
Somewhere I went

This is a total cheater photo.

This Friday was date night.

It would have been the perfect day for this challenge.

Alas, I forgot my camera.

So this picture is from somewhere I went on Saturday.

My book club.

And even though we read a book I don't like,

I do love my book club.

Books, talking about them, and good food--

what could be better?

PS.  Don't you love that chair?

April 28, 2012
1 PM

At 1 pm on Saturday,

I was sitting in my neighbor's front yard, 

watching my kids bounce in the bounce house,

mentally checking my camping to-do list,

and dreaming of heading off to book club.

Or reading society, as we like to call ourselves.

Wuthering Heights was the pick.

Not a favorite the last time I read it.

My opinion hasn't changed in 15 years.

Still not a favorite.

But then, I'm not much of a Bronte girl.

I like Ms. Austen much better.

April 29, 2012
Circle

Our first night of camping.

After a 3 hour drive (dang LA traffic!), setting up camp, 

and a long walk on the beach at sunset,

we were all ready to sit around the campfire.

Is there any better smell than a campfire?

April 30, 2012
Something that makes me sad

I chose this picture because it looks sad,

but it's really pretty funny.

Can you believe those 2 boys, 

standing there,

just looking at their sister as she struggles to climb the tree?

Don't feel bad for her.

Because, even if they offered, she'd just say, 

"I can do it all by myself."

And she would.

She is the most independent child I have.

It's a blessing and a curse.

And sometimes it makes me want to curse.

OK, a lot of times.

But I still admire the heck out of her for the way she gets things done.

Oh that Lilly.

May 1, 2012
Peace

After a gray and cloudy day,

the sun came out.

We walked down to the beach in the golden, afternoon light.

Lilly on Aaron's shoulders, 

the boys throwing rocks and picking up sticks,

Davy, strapped to my chest--

all of us together.

Peace.

May 2, 2012
Skyline

This is the California coastline,

looking north from El Capitan beach.

We were standing on the bluff watching whales swim by on their way to Alaska.

We saw whales every day of our camping trip.

It was amazing.

I've seen some beautiful skylines: Paris, San Diego, Florence, Hong Kong.

But this is my favorite kind of skyline.

Happy Monday, friends!

Love from,

Greta

Photo a Day Challenge: April

More photos from April.

I can tell I'm feeling inspired by spring this week--there are 3 shots involving flowers.

Everything is blooming outside and it is glorious.

I love summer an awful lot, but spring time holds a pretty special place in my heart, too.

April 16, 2012

Flower

These roses grow in our backyard.

The bush is a climbing rose, planted by the previous owner.

Someday, when Aaron builds the new patio cover,

these roses will climb all over it.

But for now they just climb as high as they can in the flower bed,

and then fall over with the weight of their flowers.

The kids pick them for me almost every day.

I love them.

April 17, 2012

Something I don't like

I do not subscribe to the theory of 

"let them play and clean up at the end of the day".

I subscribe to the theory of

"clean as you go".

So when books are read, and left unshelved, 

when art supplies are left scattered on the floor,

I must resist the urge to grumble under my breath,

and pick up after them.

Instead, I remind myself that I am teaching them a valuable life skill.

And then I yell, "pick up your stuff, (you dang kids!)"

Mom of the year, right here, people.

April18, 2012

Hair

James had tons of hair.

He had a cut at the barber's when he was 8 months old.

William had beautiful golden curls.

Lilly's had a big chunk of hair in the front,

perfect for cute, little, pink bows.

Davy's hair is so blond it's almost yellow.

It's thinner on top and thick in the back.

He has these long wisps that grow over his ears and look kind of silly.

But really, I think he looks just perfect.

April 19, 2012
Orange

Nasturtiums are some of my favorite flowers.

I love the way, if left unattended, they will spread and climb,

until they create a carpet of blue-green leaves,

and beautiful, bright flowers.

Nasturtiums are one of the best parts of spring.

April 20, 2012
Something I drew

I wish I could draw.

But I can't.

Like, really, really can't.

I so admire people who can.

And I am kind of jealous of them too.

Perhaps that is why I encourage my kids to spend 

as much time as they want drawing.

Right now, all 3 of them love to draw.

I hope they never loose that,

and can grow up to be like their daddy,

who can draw anything he wants.

But I take better pictures than he does.

(well, most of the time)

So there's that.

Good photography takes skill.

An eye.

And yeah, it's not just having a good camera.

April 21, 2012
Bottle

Do you  know about Dr. Bronner's soap?

We love it.

We've been using it for at least 9 or 10 years.

It's fabulous soap.

And the bonus is, if you're ever bored in the shower,

 you can read the thousands of words printed all over the bottle

and be thoroughly entertained.

He's pretty crazy.

But you can't beat his soaps.

April 22, 2012
The last thing I bought

So James wanted a "stacked" cake for his birthday.

That's a layer cake for those of you not in the know.

I went with my favorite yellow cake recipe,

and even sprang for the cake flour to make it even more perfect.

Between the layers, I put whipped, chocolate gnache,

and then frosted the outside with it too.

It was amazingly good.

I may grow into my dream of being an accomplished cake baker, yet.

One more week to go for April.

Have any of you been taking part in the Challenge?

If so, let me know so I can take a look at your pictures.

Love from,

Greta

Photo a Day Challenge: April

We're home from camping.

I was longing to go again the very next day, as the kids and I unloaded the car of all our gear.

James said he was camping sick.

Me too.

I have a lot of pictures to share and stories to tell.

We were only gone for 4 days, but we crammed so much goodness into that short time that it felt like much, much longer.

That's the sign of a good trip, don't you think?

Amidst all the laundry and cleaning up, I haven't had much time to go through all the pictures and sort them into post ideas.

So I'm finishing up the Photo a Day Challenge for April.

I am really trying to stick with this project because I'd love to have a year's worth of pictures to print into a book at the end.

It will be a really fun treasure--if I can manage to keep up with it.

So far I have.

Here's more from April:

April 9, 2012

Younger You

I love this picture of my mom and I.

I think it was taken in Santa Barbara when I was just under a year.

Aren't those plaid pants great?

And that white sweater?

I have a thing for babies in sweaters.

Now I know where got that from.

April 10, 2012

Cold

Spring weather is so unpredictable.

I prefer warm days, but a few of these cloudy, blustery days

do feel very spring-like.

And then I'll take some more sun, please.

April 11, 2012
Where I ate breakfast

Enjoying a leisurely breakfast is high on my list of :

most favorite things to do in the world.

Unfortunately, my present life 

doesn't accommodate many leisurely breakfasts.

Every now and then, though, I do manage to sneak one in.

It usually means eating at 10, when the kids are having their mid-morning break.

I know I'm not supposed to eat breakfast at 10, 

but it's worth the wait for 15 minutes of quiet,

a hot cup of coffee, a comfy spot to sit and a new magazine to read.

I try not to mind too much that Lilly comes in every time and asks,

"can I have a bite of that?"

April 12, 2012
Stairs

A friend recently brought us this doll house.

It's an A-frame.  (squeal!)

It's got all sorts of wonderful mid-century design touches,

like the paint colors and the big stone fireplace.

The kids love it.

So do I.

Obviously.

April 12, 2012
Something I found

Our first blackberry!

It's not black yet, but a promise of things to come.

I'm hoping we have enough for jam this year.

In keeping with the traditions of this house.

Is there anything better than growing food in your own backyard?

April 14, 2012
How I feel today

That cold spring weather was hanging around.

Aaron and I went on a date and it was so cold and windy,

that I was sporting my uber stylish winter hat in the car.

I dress to impress on date nights, don't I?

Hey, sometimes you have to sacrifice looking good for feeling good.

Because a cold Greta is a cranky Greta.

And cranky Greta is no fun on date night.

April 15, 2012
Sunset

We went on a sunset hike at Bolsa Chica wetlands.

It was one of those times when I looked around at my family,

and my eyes grew wet with tears of happiness.

Wild mustard was blooming everywhere, birds were calling, 

bunnies hopped across the trail, and the setting sun made everything glow.

It was, to me, a little glimpse of heaven.

More April photos to come.
And then, I hope, camping pics!
Until then, enjoy the weekend.
Love from,
Greta

Gone Camping

Hello friends!
We're headed North, to Santa Barbara for a few days of beach camping.
It's the first leg of one of my favorite drives.
And we'll be passing one of my favorite signs--the Wagon Wheel.
The past couple of months have been incredibly busy.
I am so looking forward to some relaxing time with my family.
Well, as relaxing as tent camping with 3 kids and 1 crawling baby can be.
So here's to gourmet s'mores, playing cards by lantern light, exploring new places, and, of course, stopping for vintage signs.
I can't wait!
I'll see you soon with lots of pictures.
Love from,
Greta

Homemade Croutons and Some Thoughts on Cooking With My Kids

I love to make things from scratch.
A couple of years ago, my son told me I was a "home cooker, not a store cooker".
He meant it as a sincere compliment.
And I took it as one.


My kids know my attitude about home cooking.
My cooking philosophy is: if I can make it at home, I want to.
I've made sure to indoctrinate them.
Store bought frosting?
Sacrilege!
Homemade whipped cream?
It takes minutes and there is no comparison to whipped cream from a can.
Homemade whipped cream tastes amazing.
We make homemade hummus.
Pinto beans.
Pesto.
Pancakes.
Bagels.
Bread.
James asked me recently when we were going to make homemade croissants.
Obviously he has a lot of confidence in my abilities.


But I appreciate that they know that we can make most anything at home.
It's important to me that I pass on kitchen knowledge to my kiddos.
So when I'm flipping pancakes at breakfast, I point out to them the bubbles forming around the edge of the cakes.
"That's when you know it's time to flip them, "I tell the kids.
And when I'm chopping vegetables for ratatouille, I explain how the veggies need to be cut the same size so that they cook evenly.
Sometimes my cooking lessons are just one liners.
Other times, they're learning several different things, all in the context of one recipe.
Enter croutons.


If cooking is not how you like to spend your time, dirtying extra dishes and making the kitchen messy, stinking up your hands with garlic, and adding one more step to your dinner prep, then go right ahead and buy yourself a box of croutons from the store.
But you'll be missing out.
Trust me.
Make them at home.
They're worth the effort.

Preheat your oven to 400.
Now's the time to tell the kids about pre-heating and why you do it.
Can you tell I'm a teacher?
I never miss an opportunity to tell them something.


You'll need a baguette.
It can be a day or 2 old.
But much more than that and you aren't going to be able to cut it.
I cut the baguette in half lengthwise, so that you have two, long, open, pieces of bread.
There is some cutting I won't let my kids do.
This is one of those times.
But I did teach them long ago how to use the knife to peel garlic.
I feel this is a very valuable piece of kitchen knowledge to pass on, don't you?
The boys were especially into it since it involved me telling them to hit something hard with their fist.
(Just in case you have no idea what I am talking about, here is a nice tutorial for you on peeling garlic.  Read it.  And, you're welcome.  I just made your life easier.)


Using that garlic you just peeled, you rub it all over the cut sides of the baguette.
Rub hard and really get the garlic "juice" into that bread.
After that, cut the bread into bite sized pieces.
I let my oldest do this cutting. (He just turned 8, in case you were wondering.)
Put all the pieces in a big bowl and pour in some olive oil.
I don't measure this at all.
Sorry.

Don't get them sopping wet with olive oil, just enough to turn them all a bit golden.
Hit them with some coarse, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
And yes, I've also schooled my kids on the superiority of coarse, kosher salt to regular, ol salt.
Use the kosher stuff, please.
Give the bread, oil, salt and pepper some good stirs with a wooden spoon.
The kids can do that for you.


Then pour the bread out on a cookie sheet and pop it into the oven.
I think we left them in there for about 15 minutes.
Long enough for them to get golden and crunchy.
They should come out of the oven looking like this.

Let them cool on the cookie sheet so they stay crispy.
This is when my kids eat them by the handful, saying things like, "homemade croutons are the best!"
Think of how impressed some future girlfriends are going to be when my boys whip up a batch of homemade croutons to go with the salad.
They will thank me someday.
I know it.
When you're ready to serve the salad, add the croutons and enjoy!


I really only make croutons when we're having a Caesar salad.
I think you pretty much have to have croutons with a Caesar salad.
And since Caesar salads don't have a lot going on, ingredient wise, you better make sure your ingredients are stellar.
I like to use fresh, crisp Romaine lettuce.
Cherry tomatoes.
Parmesan cheese, shaved right from the hunk.
Coarse, kosher salt.
Freshly ground pepper.
Homemade croutons.

And, a really good dressing.
Here's where the confession comes in.
I use bottled Caesar dressing.
And it's not that great.
I know I could make a much better one myself.

But I've always been afraid of the anchovies.

Since I've conquered that fear, I guess I have no excuses left.

Who has a fabulous Caesar dressing recipe for me?

After all, I have a reputation to keep up around here.

Love from,

Greta, the home cooker