Flashback!

I have been trying to get all of my stuff out of my mom's basement. I realized that at my age, I should take over the storage of my possessions. I am sure that she is relieved by this. My husband, is not. He has had to endure many boxes being brought in and unpacked. Of course, I want to share these memories with someone and he has been my chosen "victim". I look over each item and decide it it is going to the trash, goodwill, to be given to the kids, or put into storage in the attic. He has listened to every story and tried really hard to sound interested.

I brought home a box of miniature doll house furniture this weekend and it went to the attic. The other box was dolls and knick knacks. Some of the stuff was silly, like a plastic mother deer with two fawns chained to her. It was supposed to look like glass, and I know that someone gave them to me, but I don't remember who. (they went in the trash) Gavin got a small train and Ella got a Holly Hobbie and Carie doll in addition to this family......

The Sunshine Family! This is the newer version, the originals looked even more "hippy-ish". Mom had long flowing hair and so did Dad and the little girl was a baby.. these guys were headed into the mid-70's with the long flowing dress and the dad's perm..and they had a new baby. Ella is thrilled with them. I only wish that I had the old camper that they came with. AHHHH, childhood.. and memories.

Can't wait to open up some more boxes. (Sorry, Andy)

The Corn

OH! The corn... I forgot to follow up.. for those of you who were left hanging.. I am sure that you have been checking my blog every hour to see what has happened...

(I AM kidding, ya know....)

The corn is holding! It has put up it's little flowery things (a farmer, I am not... ) and is looking really healthy! It looks like Andy's hard work is going to pay off!

We have a second crop of those purple beans. I am considering pickling this batch.

Still no sugar snap peas, the plants are going this week for sure. The tomatoes are growing, just waiting for color! I have a handful of recipies ready and waiting. (though, I will just eat them sliced with salt and pepper, or some balsalmic... I will eat them ALL..... oh, o.k. I will share!)

Summer is on!

Last week was awesome! I got to relax, sleep in, read and hang out with the kids. We watched "Hans Christian Anderson" from when I was a kid (KTLA ran a Family Film Festival on Sundays and that movie was shown every year!) They LOVED it and I loved that they loved it! We went to the library to sign up for the Reading Programs and the kids helped me with the grocery shopping.

We painted, did crafts, played outside, and started reading "Jungle Book", Ella couldn't hang with it and Gavin is balking at it a bit, but he is sticking it out with me and I am simplifying the language a bit. I baked and cooked every single meal from scratch! (I am already missing my Dream Dinners, however!)

Last Thursday I spent the entire day in the kitchen in preparation for our weekend in Carpinteria. We had the usual hot dogs, pancakes, etc.. but what I cooked ahead were Citrus Rosemary Ribs, Country Potato Salad (with a tangy ranch dressing, roasted potatoes, garlic, red onion and corn) and a Five Bean Salad. The work was well worth it, our meal was fabulous and I didn't have to do a thing but put into serving bowls!

The photo above is the view from our campsite! We went last year and it was heaven on earth! This year was a bit chilly and cloudy, but the sun did come out enough to get my cheeks pink and allow the kids to swim in the waves. Gavin tried body surfing and went in up to his chest and Ella was brave enough to go in to her ankles alone! It was loads of fun and although I am always happy to go, I am equally as happy to come home. I spent today trying to get the laundry done and the motorhome unpacked!

Today we started our summer activities! Gavin will be at Science Academy (Broadoaks at Whittier College) all day for the next two weeks. I missed him, but he came home tired and worn out and full of stories! Ella started swimming lessons which will continue for six weeks. Gavin will join her after Science Academy is done. He will go to Sports Camp for two weeks, but it is only a morning program, so he will catch up with us and swim at the same time as Ella!

I am working and trying to get in 15 hours per week at the office and Andy is teaching Summer School so he is gone in the mornings, but gets to join us for lunch everyday! He has a long list of honey-do's to fill his afternoons! I am so glad that summer is here, but I know that it is going to just fly by! I am really striving for a balance of work and play, busy and relaxed. We will see how I do... I am new to this kick back thing, but I think I am liking it!

My old "Martha" self even made an appearance today! I felt like making cupcakes, and so.. I did! Here they are:

I wanted to have a little of the beach with us today... but... I did not want 24 cupcakes sitting around my house while I am here, so I delivered plates of cupcakes to our friends and neighbors!

Tomorrow I will have coffee with a friend, grocery shop, take Ella to swimming, and work on my Student Teaching packet that is due at the end of the month. Gavin is having a friend over and I am going to read a magazine. See.. busy, but balanced! I think get it.... maybe....

The Garden - O.O.C. (that's "Out Of Control")

It grew fast and we have already harvested! We grew purple snap beans (like green beans but a bit fatter and purple) and had them for dinner last night. We were all kind of bummed and surprised to find that the beans turned green when we cooked them!

We have had a few small tomatoes and lots of parsley, sage, rosemary and cilantro! The pumpkins have taken over and we have figured out a better configuration for next year. They have spilled out onto the grass and we are going to let them continue right where they are. The vine that went down looks like it will be a pretty good producer and we don't want to damage the vine by moving it. The sugar snap peas never really did much and we have two tiny plants that we have already eaten all of the peas from. They will be coming out thereby giving more room to the pumpkins.

The corn fell over the night after I took these pictures and we decided that the seed had not been planted deep enough. Andy came home and piled about 3 more inches of dirt around the bases and staked them up with bamboo. We really hope that they make it! Purple sweet corn, who knew?

I am here..

I have been busy! Busy RELAXING! (and putting my house and life back in order!)

I put things away, I made lists, I read a book, I scrapbooked for an entire day, I watched two movies and a whole bunch of Oprah's, I have cooked and baked and yesterday, I slept for 12 hours. Yes, you read that right! TWELVE hours! I don't think that I have done that, since college! (technically I AM in college right NOW, so maybe that is why!) I fell asleep on the couch at 7 p.m. after my sweet son covered me with a blanket and my daughter snuggled up with me. At 11 p.m. my darling husband turned down the bed and I slept until my alarm went off at 6.. I then hit snooze until 7 a.m.!!!! I feel really good today! (ya think!?)

The garden is CRAZY out of control!!! I will post pics soon!

We went to San Diego last weekend. Here are the highlights: Before leaving, we discovered that our DVR died. It would not turn on. Ordered new one, it came on Tuesday and is now installed. Took a u-haul truckload of furniture to my cousin who is in college and moving into her first apartment. We got lost. Unloaded furniture. Drove to return truck - got lost. Went to family graduation party for my cousin who just finished high school. Had a blast, until Ella came to me crying and holding her arm. Subluxation, nurse maid's elbow, dislocation, call it what you want, it hurt like hell and we took her to the ER. Way to break up a party! Andy and Gavin went with my uncle to his house (where we were planning on staying the night) My aunt and cousin (who was the grad) went with Ella and me to the hospital. My cousin and her friend had been swinging the kids. One had the feet and one had the arms and they were swinging them like a hammock (is that spelled right?) Used to do that with my little cousins! It's fun, until a loose jointed peanut like my daughter gets her arm out of whack! Waited several hours for x-ray and when the tech moved her arm, it popped back in. 7 p.m until 11 p.m. at the ER... not too bad, really! Visited with friends on Sunday and finally saw their new place, had lunch and lots of fun! Drove home. Watched a movie, a video tape, the last one we might ever see, our VCR died. (what is up with this!?)

I passed the CSET... with flying colors I might add (or brag!). SO relieved! I think that is why I slept so long! Today I spent the day with my mother-in-law! She cashed in her Christmas present! There are a bunch of antique and gift shops along the Boulevard that we both have wanted to check out, so together we went shopping today! I got a cool night light (my early birthday present) and I did some Christmas shopping. She bought a nice grocery shopping bag and a clock. We stopped for lunch at a little bakery and had chicken salad on fresh croissants (heavenly) and a homemade chocolate chip cookie for dessert! Yum!!! It was a great day!

Ella had her last day of preschool today and Gavin will enjoy his last day party tomorrow. He is sad and excited to be leaving the 2nd grade. It was such a great year for him! He has grown up and matured SO MUCH this year and especially in the last couple of months. The tantrums have almost dissappeared and the level of focus and responsibility have increased. Oh, I do see the light! He has been practicing piano (WITHOUT BEING ASKED) EVERYDAY!!!!!! He really likes his songs right now and FINALLY realized that if he practices...the songs are REALLY easy!!!

I should get off to bed, the house is a mess and we have company coming over for dinner tomorrow. They might be shocked to see my house this way! I will be running the popcorn machine at the party tomorrow and then we are going bowling to celebrate the end of the school year! Later you can find me drinking Mojitos and celebrating my wonderful and amazing life with my incredible family. If you are local and care to join me.. stop on by!!