Colors of the Day

This post was brought to you by the colors GREEN and YELLOW.

Come with me on a walk around the place.

Color coordinator of the tour.

Forsynthia

DaffodilsTulipsSpreading SunshineSplash

If you'd like to be a kid again, put on some rain boots and do some splashing. It takes years off your life.

Now didn't that feel like springtime? Go on and get you some.

My Reverent Boy

Brother has been anticipating this day for a week now. Last week he was sent home with a slip of paper asking him to be the reverent child. He couldn't wait. He's been practicing all week long. He made sure to wear his "missionary" attire and be ready early. He walked into the church with his arms folded. He asked me to take him up on the stand. I led him up the front and let go of his hand. He bravely walked to the designated spot, looked out on the crowd, ducked his head and came running to me.

Maybe next time him and Sissy will be asked to do it together. She'll drag him up there and wave to the crowd. Funny how different they are.

Grandma JoNan

Since Nikkala and I are close in age we share many of the same memories of Grandma. But one of my most vivid memories of Grandma had to do with me spending the night at her house. I suffered from homesickness for most of my "at home" years. Invariably, nighttime would roll around and I would find myself crying for my mom. No matter how insistent or heart wrenching my pleas, Grandma would always say "crying isn't going to bring your mom home." I never found any sympathy or consolation. It was a harsh reality for me.

I also remember shopping trips to Twin where Kandice, Nikkala, and I would convince Grandma into buying us things. I still have the porcelain doll that she bought for me at Cowley's drugstore/Ace.

Thanks Grandma. I sure have benefited from being one of your grandchildren.

Easter

Our Easter Weekend got off to a great start at the community egg hunt. You couldn't have asked for better weather, it was beautiful. It should come as no surprise that Hudson would only pick up green eggs to put in his green bucket. We were just thrilled that he actually wanted to participate. Sissy was rearin' to go, but I had to retain her until the siren sounded. And then, she only made it to one egg before rest of them disappeared in the swarm of toddlers. Rest of the day was spent working in our yard.
Miss Dalanie got a frilly little dress and Hudson was just happy I let him wear his green tie. Here's the updo Sissy sported. (Pillaging through her Easter basket was a great way to keep her entertained and keep her still.) I'm posting a picture because I'm not so sure we'll ever be successful again.

Springtime in the Rockies

Drat, I woke up to wind and cloudy skies. It makes me cherish the past few days of sunshine, breezes, and 60's. We've been busy working out in the yard. I couldn't wait to get out there and burn weeds. Springtime for me means the yearning to get burning.
The kids have been playing so well together outside. There's just something about the fresh air and sunshine that makes everything better.
We've been enjoying the baby calves being so close. After requests all winter, we've finally gotten the 4 wheeler out and ride it out through the field of cows. The calves this year have so much personality. In the past we've always had purebred angus. That just makes for a lot of boring, black babies, but now that we're crossing with charolais the results have been much funner. We've got all sorts of brown combinations, spotting, and tail striping.

Tutti Fruiti

Pictured here on a crepe. One of our special occasion breakfasts since it's like eating dessert for breakfast.
I love to mix yogurt or pudding with Cool Whip and top with Tutti Fruiti

I got sick of having to refill our sticky, sugary, syrup container after every few breakfasts. I had been on a fresh salsa kick, so I came up with my own fruit one. It's perfect for topping waffles, pancakes, crepes, anything you would with syrup. And with a dollop of whip cream, it's better than syrup. The kids love the name "Tutti Fruiti" and frequently request the healthier alternative.

It's simple to make, I just quarter any fruit I've got on hand and throw it in my blender. I only peel the kiwi, everything else I throw in with the skin on. After a few pulses, it's chunkily delicious. It depends on the fruits I use, I occasionally add a few tablespoons of sugar to sweeten the deal. You can also use it like a jam or atop ice cream. And since it's low in sugar and high in fiber, it's a healty substitution.

My favorite combination is strawberries, a nectarine, kiwi, and an apple.

Eating Frog

Meet our April Fools appetizer, Mr. Frog. He tasted a lot more like a granny smith apple and grapes than chicken. We got the idea from Family Fun. You simply quarter the apple, remove seeds, slice grapes for the feet and legs, and roll eyeballs out of cream cheese. Insert a chocolate chip and voila! A new friend is born.
The kids LOVED this project.