Strawberry Picking

We headed out to Mount Vernon this morning to pick Shuksan strawberries.  This was an edible Seattle magazine event hosted by local food legend Jon Rowley.  Saveur magazine named Jon "America's Disciple of Flavor," so I knew we were in for a treat.

The morning started off with berry picking in “virgin fields” that the farm saved for our picking pleasure.

   

All done picking, and now we’re hungry.

Next up, strawberry shortcake made by Jon.

Kids first.

Jon dishing up my yummy plate of shortcake.

 

I’m not kidding you when I tell you that this tasted like pure heaven.  Hannah wouldn’t let us go home until she finished every last bite.

Finally, we had to swing on this great tree swing that that kids couldn’t get their mind off of.

Alright, now we can head home to make Jam.

Meet Daniel Joseph Ho

My new baby nephew.  He’s a sweet little thing who joined the family yesterday.

 

Our very own farmers market

We made it over to the neighborhood farmers market today despite two birthday parties that we were planning to attend.

Here are a few shots of the fabulousness.

To market, to market…

Food vendors

Fresh fruit & veggies

Yum!

 

Making Raku pots for a community project.

 

 

Hanging after our yummy lunch.

See you next week.

Mantis Religiosa

About a month ago we purchased an egg case from the nursery where we bought Nana’s mothers day peony.  The instructions were to either put in a tree and leave it, or to put it in a paper bag and let it sit in a sunny window.  We chose the window, and were supposed to check the bag every morning, and have religiously.  This morning, Chi heard little scratches inside the bag and alerted everyone that the mantids had hatched.

We took them outside and scattered them around the yard.   Ian brought one inside in his insect habitat that Grammy got for him.

Mulch, oh how I love thee…

We mulched on Saturday, then enjoyed the yard & the sunshine while it lasted.

 

Cheesecake dilemma

I’ve followed the directions perfectly; bake for 1 hour at 350° then turn off the oven and let cool overnight.  So why do you continue to crack on me??

You taste great, but I’m going to need to try a new recipe.

These boots are made for walking…

Hannah has inherited Miriam’s pink cowgirl boots & she loves them.  Miriam gave them a lot of love herself & they are actually too large for Hannah, so we may need to get Hannah her own pair.

Tennis anyone?

Ian had his last tennis lesson yesterday.  He learned a lot from this past month.

Like how to stand in a line.  I know, I’m a bad mom!  I never taught my son how to stand in a line.  He hasn’t been to school yet, and so it just never came up.

Watching and learning,

Studying,

Now action.  Go Ian!!

Art that I heart

I'm loving my new painting that I picked up at my favorite haunting, Pacific Galleries.  Check out the little chickens.  It even has tire tracks on the dirt road.  Love!!

It makes me want to be there.