Pix and Ice Cream

So, I wrote a forever-long post recently that I saved as a draft to be posted at a later date.
But when I tried to post it a few days ago from my Iphone, I somehow deleted the whole thing.
Lovely.
So, I'll try that one again later.
For now....

Since I haven't posted any pictures in a while, I thought I'd just give you a whirlwind trip through our last few weeks...

My happy place...

 

This was taken from my deck, looking down on the garden and patio.

The foliage at the bottom of the pic is in one of my herb boxes lining the deck.

The garden has already changed from when I took this pic, but I haven't taken a recent one.

Veggies are in the ground.

Will update as the plants progress.

In their happy place...

Some things just don't change.

Like sweetness.

And swinging.

Waiting for big sis to get out of preschool...

She loves to "buckle," which really means unbuckle, and play in the car until sister comes out.

This day she put on my glasses and cheesed, but as soon as I pulled out the camera (aka phone), she pulled them off.

I asked her to put them back on and she said no.

So, I bribed her.

I don't remember what the bribe was now, probably something awful like a sucker, but nonetheless, it gave me a super-cute photo op!

Capturing wildlife...

On our way to preschool one morning, this little guy (or gal) decided to risk death by crossing the road.

My first thought was to pick him up and set him in the grass, which I did.

Then I headed back to the car.

But the girls were clamoring to see him; so, I picked him up again and held him up to the car window for them to see.

Then I headed back to the car.

But I had a rare good idea!

I had boxes to take to the recycle center; so, I picked him up for the third time, stuck him in a box, and took him to preschool.

Don't worry, animal lovers; I brought him back and released him near the point of capture.

Making ice cream at a Derby party...

This was a super yummy, pretty natural way to eat some cold sugary goodness.

(Recipe at the bottom)

Washing hair and making faces...

Golfing with daddy and Mr. Tom...

Going to Nana's...

With a few of their favorite things:

PJ's, rain boots, and chapstick.

It was extremely bright that morning;

I had to get the sun behind me so there wasn't a glare, which meant it was in front of them for the pic, but then they couldn't look at me.

Eating the tiniest food on the planet...

This was, of course, another project from the creative Aunt Sissa.

The tiniest donuts, sandwiches, and carrot sticks ever eaten.

The donuts are cheerios with icing and sprinkles.

The girls took one look at their "lunch," served up on saucers from their tea set, and decided their momma and aunt were no longer mentally stable.

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Here's the easy home-made ice cream recipe if you're interested in a fun project for your kiddos:

(www.myamericanfarm.org)

Ice Cream in a Bag

1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. milk
1 c. heavy whipping cream or half and half
crushed ice
1 c. rock salt
1 quart and 1 gallon Ziploc freezer bags
duct tape
bath towel

Pour the sugar, vanilla, milk and cream into a quart freezer bag.
Fold a piece of duct tape over the seal.
Place the quart bag into a gallon bag.
Pack crushed ice around the quart bag.
Pour 3/4 to 1 cup of salt evenly over the ice.
Seal gallon bag and wrap in a bath towel.
Shake for 10 minutes.
Remove quart bag and wipe off salt water.
Cut off top and spoon ice cream into bowls.
Makes about 3 cups.