my journal

I'd like to introduce a new feature on my blog.

It's called "just daily observations".

If you look to the right side of my blog just above my profile pic, you will see the link.

I'll be writing about things other than what's on my blog.

Basically, just daily observations...what's in my head.

Sometimes it may be a note about how beautiful the clouds look...

or how delicious those organic blue corn chips from Target are.

These entries are not meant to be the key to my soul or an in depth look at my personal feelings.

no no no.

I'll save that stuff for my personal journal that I write in most nights before bed.

Hope you enjoy it.

anyone for pizza?

I am tired...more mentally than physically. We've had family staying with us for 11 days. Everyone is gone now...and it's time to get things back to normal. My children's cousin from Maryland came to stay with us for one week. Here she is in the photo below.

It was a great experience for the kids. They had so much fun and no one fought. surprisingly! On the day that their cousin left, my cousin from Florida arrived. I mean down to the minute. There was no time in between to straighten the house or take a nap. All went well though and we had so much fun. My cousin stayed for 4 days and out of 4 days, we had pizza for dinner 3 nights. Don't ask me how that happened. None of us are quite sure. It just kinda happened. But we are talking really good pizza here people! And, each time it was different. The first time was white pizza with lots of veggies ordered from a local place. The second time, we were in down town Pittsburgh, getting hungry, were on foot, and choices were limited. But...this place has really good pizza. So, we had pizza for dinner! LOL! The third night we didn't really have dinner because we were at an amusement park...all day...in 90 degree weather. Yes, we closed the park down. But, we always do that when we go there! We all ate a variety of amusement park food that day! Then the last night he was here...umm, I tried to go Greek, I tried to go Chinese, I tried to go Thai, I tried! I even tried to get calzones...sorta like pizza. Somehow, that Prima Vera pizza with the capers, red onions, green olives, hot peppers, and garlic looked really, really good...and well, that's what we ordered! OMG!! Too funny! It. was. delicious! I even had leftovers for lunch the next day. I have problems! Pizza problems! LOL. Okay, no more pizza for at least a month!

{my sister and my cousin}

Collecting Bok Choy Boys

Do you know what Bok Choy Boys are?





Have no clue?





Have a look at these cute little guys! These are what's called Bok Choy Boys. They are made of vinyl and stand about 1 inch high. There are 12 different characters, all a different color. Each Bok Choy Boy dons their own Chinese symbol atop their large bulbous forehead. On the back of their head, a corresponding sign representing: fire, water, sky, peace, luck, power, day, love, moon, night, snow, and star.





My 9 year old son started collecting these little guys at the end of the school year. These adorable little figurines could be found throughout his class...in student's desk, pencil boxes, back packs and pockets. Boys and girls were trading back and forth and talking about the best places to buy them. Soon my son was asking me if we could go to the bowling alley so he could get a "ninja guy"...that's what the kids first called them before they knew what they were.





Bok Choy Boys can only be purchased in bubble gum machines at 50 cents a piece. The machines we frequent are located at The Dollar Tree, Giant Eagle grocery store, the bowling alley, K Mart, and our local Chinese buffet.





My son is still trying to get the moon, and luck {four leaf clover}.





Getting a duplicate in the gum ball machine is a little disapointing...but...you can use these to trade.





I have recently discovered that you can order the complete set of 12 on Amazon.com for $5.00...but that's not quite as fun as trying your luck at various machines around town.





My son and I chose to have our photography session down by the creek. This part of the creek is my favorite spot. It is about 10 degrees cooler down here and is not visible from the road or our house. The rocks are a constant cool temperature since they never see sunlight. I like to sit on the rock bed and kick off my flip flops and revel in this cool sanctuary.





My son decided the Bok Choy Boys should take a swim.





Ok, what's he up to?





Well, apparently Bok Choy Boys can breathe under water...so...it's all good.

It's always fun to see what kids collect. My son also collects rocks, bottle caps, and Beyblades {a battle spinning top toy}. If it was possible, he would also collect craw fish from the creek!

Stay tuned for my next post. I'll be featuring my niece's collection. I'll keep it a secret for now. She has over 1,000 pieces in her collection.

Mixed Berry Clafouti {klah*foo*TEE}

Well, I have to tell you that I absolutely love this dessert.

It's French.

I like French.

I like dessert.

It is actually a classic French breakfast dish...or brunch.

But...also, can be a dessert as well.

I just wanted to say...

it is sweet

it is tart

it is dense

it is moist

it is very

very

very

easy to make.

You will love it.

You will like it.

You will lovey dovey like it spike it.

Okay, that just makes no sense at all!

LOL!

Anyhow, I really think you should try this recipe this summer.

All you need is a variety of summer berries...whatever you like.

Some flour, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, milk, melted butter, and powdered sugar.

Oh, and you need a blender.

I don't know why the blender.

But it just might be an important factor.

That's what the recipe said to use.

I questioned it.

I wondered about it.

I stopped wondering and stopped questioning.

I used the blender.

And got amazing results.

RECIPE: MIXED BERRY CLAFOUTI

1 cup strawberries, washed, hulled and halved

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 pint red raspberries

1 handful blueberries

1 cup milk

3 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. melted butter

powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 or 10 inch pie pan with butter. In a small bowl toss strawberries with cornstarch. Place strawberries, cut side down, in prepared pie pan. Sprinkle raspberries and blueberries all around the strawberries. Blend the remaining ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour over berries. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown and set in the center. Remove from oven and dust with powdered sugar. Allow to cool and serve warm.

What I've been up to

haven't been posting very often.

the reason: lots going on!! :)

housework {yuck, uck, boo, hiss, boring}

still life robot sculptures with the kids

embroidery

my birthday

shopping 80% off sales

making "to do" lists

drinking iced tea

writing in my journal

learning about art/sketch journals on YouTube

babysitting my 6 month old nephew 3 times a week

reading

watering the garden

the drive in theater

other misc. stuff

i do have photos to share with you...

in no particular order

i"ll be back soon...

having lots of fun!