Turning Tables

A friend recently offered us a plastic picnic tables his girls had outgrown, and we were pretty excited because we have been on the lookout for a kids table for the patio. The only downside was that it was pink. And purple. A little too girly for our little men.

Lest you think color would deter us from accepting a freebie, we had a remedy for that. Keith was off to the hardware store to pick up some spray paint for plastic in some tamer tones, and had that table painted in no time. So fast I never got before pictures.

Ok, not quite that fast. I just didn't take them. Colter and I scrubbed everything down really well, and the following weekend Keith got to painting.

The can recommended letting it sit seven days to fully cure and prevent chipping, so we waited a week to put it back together. It isn't totally chip-proof, so we'll see how it holds up in the long run.

For now though, we have seating for the little folks. Even if one of them refuses to look at the camera.

Well, C, if that's the way you are going to be, we'll bring in the second string.

When did E get so big?

Boy + Dirt

A few evenings ago, Colter got a haircut. While I was cleaning off the clippers, he headed to the dirt pile. Bedtime was only moments away, but I just couldn't interrupt him, he was so happy. I just sat back and enjoyed the show. And took a zillion photos so you can too.

Who cares how dirty he gets on bath night?

Early Riser

Since Mommy didn't take my picture yesterday, I woke her up extra early to make sure she got it done today! Check it out!

We'll Drink to That

It's official: we have too many cucumbers. How do I know? Because, as of last night, we have started using them in cocktails.

Actually, our cucumbers are one of those catch-22 things; more than we can eat as they come on, not enough to really get into making pickles. Though I did get a small-batch canning book this year and want to try that recipe for dill pickles.

Back to the booze.

Cucumber and Basil Gimlet
from Real Simple, August 2014

Muddle 1/4 cup sugar with 1/2 chopped English cucumber or 2 small Persian cucumbers, skins and all, in a pitcher. (We just used a medium, nice and firm, pickling cucumber.) 

Mom, we used the spurtle!

Add 2/3 cup fresh lime juice and stir to dissolve the sugar.



Add 2/3 cup gin or vodka (gin for us) and 1/4 cup water and stir to combine.

Divide among 4 glasses. Top with ice and garnish with fresh basil. (Why didn't I pull out two matching glasses? Nobody will be pinning that one...)

So...there was just the two of us. So...we just poured it in two glasses. It should serve four, because it's pretty potent. I enjoyed it, but couldn't finish my double. Next time we'll make it when there are other people around!

Summer, Full Steam Ahead

It has been hot and humid here for the last couple days, though the weatherman says it should clear out today. But, the vegetables don't wait for nice weather so the pressure canner was steaming away, pushing the temperature of the kitchen up a couple degrees. There are green beans and carrots to show for it and we'll be glad to have them in the middle of winter.

I canned all the carrots we had, but the green beans are still coming on strong so I have to keep after them. Colter has been eating them straight from the garden and sneaking them off the counter at every turn. Green beans and cucumbers and the kid is happy.

How, though, do we all have colds in the middle of July? Ugh.

Birthday x 3

I showed you how we got a little celebrating in while in Maine,

but let's not forget that the little man's big day actually happened at home. We were all pretty wiped out from just returning home the night before, but at least Keith had the day off yet and got to be around to celebrate with Colter. We've lucked out for his first two birthdays falling on Saturday and Sunday, and his third being one Keith had off.

He woke up to find his presents waiting for him in the living room.

He was pretty excited when he realized what was in that big bag...

a tricycle!

So excited he had to go sit down for a minute and just take it in.

Then there was a dump truck Keith found in Maine.

And some left-handed scissors for our little lefty, along with some stickers and Curious George notecards.

But really, it was all about the tricycle.

He could barely wait to get it outside and start pedaling.

Then after lunch, Keith made some birthday s'mores. The bike helmet barely came off all day!

We did have a little cake at home too. Keith said he didn't need another one, but what's a birthday without a cake? Especially when you are three!

Over the weekend, we went up to Keith's parents' house so they could spoil the birthday boy some more (and treat the whole family to a delicious meal!).

The best kind of birthdays are the ones that start early and go long and you get to see all the people who love you! Thanks to everyone for making it special for our not-so-little man!