Red Velvet

Isn't that a song? If not, it oughtta be...

I really like Red Velvet Cupcakes. Duncan Hines has a box mix, which is the one that I used today; however, this recipe from allrecipes.com is nummy too!

Pictures of the Day: Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter with our good friends. In the midst of loading my kids in the car and "trying not to forget anything", I forgot my IPhone and CAMERA!!

To make up for this, I took advantage of what the day brought us, and it wasn't so bad...

Easter Is Really for Jesus
Easter is not just for the Bunny,
With goodies and treats that he brings,
Easter is when we must celebrate
And alleluia is the song that we sing!

Easter is really for Jesus,
Who died and then rose from the dead.
We must always remember the love Jesus showed
And all of the things that He said.

So, remember this Easter when you go to Church,
And this message you tell everyone.
That easter is all about Jesus,
The Bunny and treats are just fun!

Lions and Tigers and Bears?

We went to the zoo today with some friends.

Little guy is cranky...poor baby.

Ooooh, flamingos...

Pretty 'n' pink

Lions and Tigers...

Orange you glad...
Rango? Ringo? Bingo? Noooooo, Bongo!
Five goofy kids...

Of Eggs and Chickens

My kids and I had a great time coloring eggs today with our friends. My friend raises chickens that lay brown eggs - when these were soaked in the colors, we got the most interesting and (in my opinion) beautiful, deep colors.


Additionally, I found a Tye-Dye Kit for eggs. The kit included a plastic mold with holes and 2 pieces of cloth. Using an medicine dropper, I was able to add interesting color effects to the eggs.

With all of the eggs that we used today, plus the amount of eggs that my family normally consumes per week, I am sorely tempted to raise my own chickens. However, my husband doubts the viability of this, another one of my "crazy ideas"...Unfortunately, I think this time, he may have a point. Both of my darling dogs go nuts when they see squirrels scampering on our fence. Can you imagine the ruckus they will make when they see chickens in the backyard?

I'll keep this idea open though...stay posted. You may see a post about chickens sometime soon.......

Picture of the Day

About Snails

The kids found snails today. My daughter and her friend wanted to bring them home and keep them as pets. I axed this idea...citing inhumanity and all that other stuff that mothers do to keep from having all sorts of creatures living in the home.
My son, when he realized that there was something living in the snail shell that he was holding, freaked out. I mean really FREAKED out - he yelped and dropped the poor creature on the cement and jumped away. At least I don't have to worry about him bringing home a worm to keep in their room...

Sutter's Fort Field Trip

Today, I took the kids to experience the 1840s at Sutter's Fort.
The first station we visited (big surprise!) was the spinning station. We met a woman, dressed in period dress, with a spinning wheel.My daughter got the chance to card the wool; Her friend, my son, and I tried to spin the roving.Although I am not much of a spinner, it was enjoyable sharing the experience with the children. I even shared with them what plying the wool meant and why it was important to spin the roving tightly! My daughter attempted to spin, but could not get the hang of it...

I think the spun yarn was then dyed with natural dyes from plants and weaved into this item (table runner? scarf?). Although I was VERY interested in weaving, I could not keep my three charges interested enough to wait for our turn, and I had to be satisfied with watching other children weave the cloth (it was SO COOL!)

We then moved onto the fort's school yard, where there were several period games. My daughter's friend played with a yo-yobefore the children learned how to play the Game of Graces, an interesting game played with a wooden hoop and 2 sticks (per player). Even the little guy was able to play... The previous link is to a site that describes several games that we saw played today. I only wish we had more time to try all of them!

These are pelts that we saw at the Fur Trader station. Whoa, look at that skunk pelt!The kids had fun at the grinding station. They all got the chance to crack acorn nuts and mash them into flour. We then talked to the volunteer who explained how the pioneers strained the tannic acid out of the mashed nuts in the river and then used the flour to make bread.

Then they helped make rope:

Afterwards, the children ground some wheat using a stone mill. Now they know what "stone ground wheat" means...

Before we left, we saw a metal worker describe how he shaped metal into things that the fort needed. The details and skill he put into his pieces were amazing...

Last but not least, this is my favorite picture from today. My son is looking through the East Side Entrance. The juxtaposition of old (wood) and new (my baby boy) and the colors visually appeal to my sense of contrast and balance.