Bryan has the *itch*

A good itch, not a bad itch!

He is getting the itch to start a second kayak! We have been meaning to, talk about it often and even know what boat we will do next. But, now it is getting this project off the ground! In case you didn't know or it has been a long time - we built our kayak a little over two years ago - here is a photo:

We would love to get Holly in to the appreciation of this mild hobby or sport that offers great appreciation for nature. Lately she has been interested in boats, hence Bryan's itch :) Of course the sun peeking out has also contributed! So, who knows maybe soon enough you will find us back in the garage crafting a new boat - tandem - and then at the beach launching our craft!

Link to our building photos: http://www.geocities.com/nstgtr007/construction_master.html

Easter Eggs

This year we colored Easter eggs with our Ross family members! Holly really had a nice time, got down & dirty and enjoyed herself alot!

My Little Ballerina

Little Miss Holly is in love with dance lately! In fact, she has asked to take a 'class of dancing like the Little Gym we used to do' as she puts it. So, we have been talking about dance a lot lately. I do have a few calls out on what kinds of programs exist for her age and we are narrowing things down some. Bryan and I would prefer something fun, not too pressuring and yet something she will learn a bit from. Most likely I will let her try out a summer program and see if it is still fun come the fall when the expectation is much higher. In the mean time -- she can prance around in her fun little attire and tap away in her new tap shoes! Here are a couple of unique photos to enjoy!

The *LOVE* of art!

Holly is a little girl after my own heart! She loves art - any kind of messy art project she can get her hands on ~ the better. And, for those that remotely know me -- I too love a good messy art project! Just the feel and sound of pretty papers, the smell of glue and the sight of colors, colors and more colors is enough to woo me over; whether it be crayons, oil pastels, markers, chalks, paint... it is all a thing of beauty!

We try to squeeze in at least one kind of art a day -- usually much more than that though! In fact we two have been known to spend an entire morning doing art! We will choose something that is around a seasonal holiday, an animal we are learning about, a skill like scissors & drawing or the best -- free style collage or painting, in which music is usually requested :)

Since you all cannot share in the plethora of art, crunchy paintings,dried layers of glue, early scissor cuttings and cotton ball extravaganza -- Here are some shots of our 'art wall' to enjoy! It really is a wall of love, creativity, experimentation and joy!!!

Cream Puffs

I tried my hand for the first time at Cream Puffs --- they are so delicious and so easy!!! Here is the recipe I used and photos too!!! Yummy!

Cream Puffs ~ Liberty

Puff
1 cup water
½ cup real butter
¼ teaspoon of salt
1 cup of flour
4 eggs

In a sauce pan bring the water, salt and butter to a rolling boil. Add the flour and whisk well until a soft dough forms. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Beat in one egg at a time until blended well, adding the others. Drop by spoonfuls on to a pan, bake at 400 for 34-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool for a bit. Slice and remove centers. Chill.

Custard Filling
2 packages of French Vanilla pudding (3.5 oz)
3 cups of milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
¼ powdered sugar

Prepare pudding with milk and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Whip up heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar. Fold in prepared whip cream with pudding.

Fill the cream puff shells as suited and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Keep chilled.

Being SILLY

It is about impossible to get a photo of Holly with out a *silly* face anymore or a modern movement body pose... so, here are some fun - silly shots :) Enjoy!!!

The Nisqually Delta -- Beautiful!

We have ventured down to the Nisqually Delta a couple of times and love this place! It is bursting at the seams with birds & wildlife! Great place to bring the binoculars and camera of course. This past weekend we stopped by there for an hour on our way out of town -- the weather couldn't have been any more beautiful and we were able to see the sun set.

Fields and marshes were busy with the return of Canadian Geese. Not everyones favorite bird, but we love them all - crows included! To stop and just listen that evening was amazing - they echoed through the land with their squaking. When they took to flight in masses (which of course I missed each time on the camera) the sound of flapping wings was incredible. We also viewed many red wing blackbirds, hawks hunting dinner, herons and more. What a great way to spend an hour, an evening, a sunset and a memory with each other!

If you have never been -- I cannot recommend it enough. Trails range from a stint out & back to a five mile loop that heads out further into the tidal areas. Beautiful is the only way I can share it... but, you need to see it for yourself!

Here are some photos from that afternoon - some good, some okay :) We only walked out to the barns and spent our time there - but, it was a good time!