Most people love to eat cold things in the summer. It's a great way to cool off, from the inside out! But how many people have ever had a real snow cone, made of real snow? I'm sure many of you up north have, but I had my first one last night. We finally had enough snow to scrape some up into a cup and not get anywhere near the ground. We've made homemade snow cone-like items with an ice shaver before, but it's so much better with real snow. The consistency is perfect. It is quite a delight, especially when you're already warmed up from being inside for a while.
So, if you live where there is enough snow regularly for this kind of treat, pick up some flavored syrup and try it, if you haven't already.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Here are some photos from our winter adventure yesterday, and from this morning, the aftermath. We have gorgeous blue skies this morning, making the snow bright and twinkly.
This shows the road that I didn't try to drive up. Other cars were having quite a lot of trouble and had to back down the road, so I parked halfway up and we walked the rest of the way home.
Here we are, taking a short cut on a snowy path instead of walking along side the harrowing road. The kids had a ball. It really was an adventure, and a much easier climb than I thought. I stopped along the way and took some more pictures on the path!
These two were taken on the path. I love it when the snow clings to trees and such.
This photo shows the termite mound made of snow that was supposed to be a snowman. The snow was sticky but not quite sticky enough.
Here is a last night/this morning pair of shots of the same stuff. Note the extra snow this morning, and the gorgeous blue sky.
The snow this morning on our very narrow railing outside the front door.
This shows the road that I didn't try to drive up. Other cars were having quite a lot of trouble and had to back down the road, so I parked halfway up and we walked the rest of the way home.
Here we are, taking a short cut on a snowy path instead of walking along side the harrowing road. The kids had a ball. It really was an adventure, and a much easier climb than I thought. I stopped along the way and took some more pictures on the path!
These two were taken on the path. I love it when the snow clings to trees and such.
This photo shows the termite mound made of snow that was supposed to be a snowman. The snow was sticky but not quite sticky enough.
Here is a last night/this morning pair of shots of the same stuff. Note the extra snow this morning, and the gorgeous blue sky.
The snow this morning on our very narrow railing outside the front door.
Double Your Birthdays, Double Your Fun
On February 12th this year, there are two special birthdays. It is the bicentennial birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin! I had no idea that both men were born on exactly the same day.
Of course, in reality, neither man would be around to celebrate such an occasion. Abraham Lincoln only lived to age 56, assassinated while attending Ford’s Theater to see the play “Our American Cousin.” Darwin lived to age 73.
People celebrate Darwin Day annually, but this year it’s extra special. Search for events in your area. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the man who gave us Natural Selection.
It’s been a while since we celebrated Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday separately, since they declared President’s Day a holiday to get more work out of the American public, but this year Lincoln’s Bicentennial is something worth celebrating on its own.
Of course, in reality, neither man would be around to celebrate such an occasion. Abraham Lincoln only lived to age 56, assassinated while attending Ford’s Theater to see the play “Our American Cousin.” Darwin lived to age 73.
People celebrate Darwin Day annually, but this year it’s extra special. Search for events in your area. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the man who gave us Natural Selection.
It’s been a while since we celebrated Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday separately, since they declared President’s Day a holiday to get more work out of the American public, but this year Lincoln’s Bicentennial is something worth celebrating on its own.
Life’s Milestones
Late last night, my daughter finally lost her first tooth. It had been loose for a month or so, but it wasn’t going anywhere quickly. Then last night she bonked her tooth on her knee and it was hanging by a thread. We were all worried she would swallow the tooth in the night, so she worked hard to get it out before bed. She finally asked my husband to yank it out, which he did. Though the tooth spent the night under a Dixie cup in the bathroom (so the cats wouldn’t play with it), the Tooth Fairy still arrived. We haven’t figured out how much the Tooth Fairy will bring for each tooth in the future, but since this was her first tooth loss, the fairy brought a Sacagawea dollar. My daughter figured out the myth of Santa Claus a couple of years ago, and I’m pretty sure she extrapolated to figure out the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and other mythical creatures and beings. For her, losing this tooth happened a little late, as she’ll be 8 this spring. Many kids lose their first tooth much younger. But hers fell out when it was ready. This was just the first of many teeth to fall out, but it is a milestone, like she’s starting another chapter in her life.
I’m coming up on my 36th birthday. That day will mark me having had my driver’s license for a full 20 years, quite a milestone. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but I guess it was! Having my license meant that I could get around by myself, without having anyone else have to help me. My first step to independence, and to responsibility. Sometimes I wish I could go back to before that day, even for a week. But only knowing what I know now, of course.
Probably the single most impactful milestone in my life was having children. I’ve always known that I wanted to have children. There was never a time in my life when I wasn’t sure, even as a little kid. Before I had children, I knew I hadn’t done everything that I wanted to do that was important in life. Now I know I’ve done all the non-negotiables. However, I still have to be around to raise them, and to thoroughly enjoy the raising of them, which I do. And hopefully I’ll still be around long enough to witness the entire raising of my grandchildren (both of my kids have already declared that they want to have kids someday). Of course, there are many more things I want to do in life, but that’s another blog entry.
Life is full of milestones, both wonderful and not-so-wonderful. Birth, death, marriage, having children, losing baby teeth, hitting puberty, being able to drive, being able to vote, getting your first job, retiring from your last job. The list goes on and on. Different people have different lists of milestones, and some are more important to people than others. What milestone have you had lately? Which milestones in your life have been the most important to you and why?
I’m coming up on my 36th birthday. That day will mark me having had my driver’s license for a full 20 years, quite a milestone. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but I guess it was! Having my license meant that I could get around by myself, without having anyone else have to help me. My first step to independence, and to responsibility. Sometimes I wish I could go back to before that day, even for a week. But only knowing what I know now, of course.
Probably the single most impactful milestone in my life was having children. I’ve always known that I wanted to have children. There was never a time in my life when I wasn’t sure, even as a little kid. Before I had children, I knew I hadn’t done everything that I wanted to do that was important in life. Now I know I’ve done all the non-negotiables. However, I still have to be around to raise them, and to thoroughly enjoy the raising of them, which I do. And hopefully I’ll still be around long enough to witness the entire raising of my grandchildren (both of my kids have already declared that they want to have kids someday). Of course, there are many more things I want to do in life, but that’s another blog entry.
Life is full of milestones, both wonderful and not-so-wonderful. Birth, death, marriage, having children, losing baby teeth, hitting puberty, being able to drive, being able to vote, getting your first job, retiring from your last job. The list goes on and on. Different people have different lists of milestones, and some are more important to people than others. What milestone have you had lately? Which milestones in your life have been the most important to you and why?
Jimmies or Sprinkles?
Discuss.
I tend to call them sprinkles now, but I grew up calling them jimmies (learned that in Wisconsin). How about the rest of you? The few that actually read this thing? Please state what you called them as a kid, what you call them now, and where you grew up. Thanks. =)
I tend to call them sprinkles now, but I grew up calling them jimmies (learned that in Wisconsin). How about the rest of you? The few that actually read this thing? Please state what you called them as a kid, what you call them now, and where you grew up. Thanks. =)
There's Snow on Them Thar Hills!
I woke up to a lot of snow this morning. Well, a lot of snow for Prescott. Normally, this view would include Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain, but the falling snow was blocking it. It's that nice, wet, clingy snow that's great for snowballs and snowmen. The weather has forecast more precipitation for a few days, so we'll see if it lingers. It might put a big damper in our plans to work on the old house today, lots of cleaning and such. We may have to just work really hard during the week. If the snow stops.Now, before you call me a wimp for not wanting to go out in the snow, realize that we live in the hills now and we have to go up and down a very steep, twisted road to get in and out of the neighborhood. With no guard rail. And a steep embankment.
Edited to add: Turns out the roads are fine! The snow keeps coming and going, with periods of bright, warm sunshine. Gotta love the weather here.
Our House is for Sale!
If anyone is interested in buying our house in Prescott Valley, AZ, let me know! I'll give you more details.
My Son is an Oompa Loompa!
They cast my son as an oompa loompa. We couldn't be more thrilled. He's excited, but he probably has no idea what is in store. I'm sure they gave every child a part who was comfortable on stage, but still. I think he'll love it. And if he doesn't, then we'll know! And we won't make him do it again. =)
My Awesome Son
He did so great at his audition tonight! He sang the song as well as he has done before, and even held it together when they wouldn't let him finish (they cut a bunch of people off). I'm so proud of him. I did film it, so it'll be available soon on DVD.
When I signed him in originally, they asked how old he was, so I told them. Then I asked if they graded on a curve! The lady said that he'd probably end up as an Oompa Loompa! So let's keep our fingers crossed. He'd be an awesome Oompa Loompa.
When I signed him in originally, they asked how old he was, so I told them. Then I asked if they graded on a curve! The lady said that he'd probably end up as an Oompa Loompa! So let's keep our fingers crossed. He'd be an awesome Oompa Loompa.
Helping Your Children to Thrive
One of our jobs as parents is to help our children find areas in which they will thrive. It can be a challenge, say, if your kids have very different personalities than you do. But it's so important to find groups in which your children feel at home, help them find some kindred spirits in which they have a lot in common. I know I always do better and am happier when I am with people who I understand and who understand me.
My daughter, who is quite shy, is hard to match up with good social outlets. Mostly she just needs a few really good friends who are wonderful, nice people. She has a few like that now. She also is very physical. Her talents have always included gross motor skill activities. So she's in gymnastics, is also taking dance right now, and she loves to be outside. She's thriving in those areas.
My son is another story. Granted, he's younger, and there haven't been as many opportunities to put him in environments where he will thrive in that same way. We live in a small town, so I haven't been able to put him in music conservatory classes to foster his natural musical ability like I took when I was his age. He's almost five years old now, though, and things are finally opening up for him. Unlike the rest of us, my son is not shy. He will talk to anyone, anywhere. He doesn't mind being the center of attention, and seems to seek it out. He doesn't understand boundaries too well yet, but we're working with him about that. In any case, I believe I've finally found something we can try for that would really allow him to be his complete self. The opera house in town does plays and such, and they are having auditions for children age 4-19 for the spring play of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"! My son does take direction pretty well, so I hope the audition will go well. None of us have every done anything like this before so I don't know what to expect, but it would be so exciting to have him do things that help him grow. And, it's free to participate! Unlike many of the things around here. So I'll let you all know how the audition goes. It's at the end of January.
My daughter, who is quite shy, is hard to match up with good social outlets. Mostly she just needs a few really good friends who are wonderful, nice people. She has a few like that now. She also is very physical. Her talents have always included gross motor skill activities. So she's in gymnastics, is also taking dance right now, and she loves to be outside. She's thriving in those areas.
My son is another story. Granted, he's younger, and there haven't been as many opportunities to put him in environments where he will thrive in that same way. We live in a small town, so I haven't been able to put him in music conservatory classes to foster his natural musical ability like I took when I was his age. He's almost five years old now, though, and things are finally opening up for him. Unlike the rest of us, my son is not shy. He will talk to anyone, anywhere. He doesn't mind being the center of attention, and seems to seek it out. He doesn't understand boundaries too well yet, but we're working with him about that. In any case, I believe I've finally found something we can try for that would really allow him to be his complete self. The opera house in town does plays and such, and they are having auditions for children age 4-19 for the spring play of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"! My son does take direction pretty well, so I hope the audition will go well. None of us have every done anything like this before so I don't know what to expect, but it would be so exciting to have him do things that help him grow. And, it's free to participate! Unlike many of the things around here. So I'll let you all know how the audition goes. It's at the end of January.
Awesome Music
Whatever your political persuasion, wasn't the music at the inauguration excellent? The amazing John Williams song with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and others... It brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful music.
Can't Wait for Tuesday? Watch the Inauguration in Lego!
I keep shamelessly linking to Matt Blum's GeekDad articles, but here's another one. (And what can I say, a lot of what he puts on there is awesome!) Legoland in California has already held the inauguration, created out of Lego bricks. Video and Matt's blurb are here.
Star Wars Retold by Someone Who Hasn't Seen It!
Want a really good laugh today? Thanks (again!) to Matt Blum at GeekDad for this awesome post. If you have seen the Star Wars movies (original trilogy, of course) as often as I have, you'll really enjoy this recap done by someone who doesn't know what she's talking about.
Growing Older
I'm almost 36. I'm truly beginning to feel not-young anymore. It's no fun. I find I have to focus on the good things about growing older - the wisdom, the experience, my relationships, watching my children grow. Turning 35 wasn't fun, but I could kid myself that I was still in my early 30s somehow, and it was a nice round number that didn't end in zero. I'm trying to get excited about being 36 in April because it's a square number, and squares are my favorite shape. I want to do something grand for my birthday. I wanted something grand last year, but it didn't happen. I keep wanting an awesome experience specifically for my birthday, but usually you don't do those for yourself. Other people tend to do them for you. But perhaps I should just plan one myself anyway, since I seem to have control issues!
This is a horrible year for it (lack of money, trying to sell the house, etc.), but I’d love an awesome trip somewhere. Too bad it’s hard to get to Europe without flying. But how awesome would it be to take a train across the U.S., meet up with a transatlantic ocean liner, sail to Europe, spend a few months over there, and then return the same way? Who’s with me?
This is a horrible year for it (lack of money, trying to sell the house, etc.), but I’d love an awesome trip somewhere. Too bad it’s hard to get to Europe without flying. But how awesome would it be to take a train across the U.S., meet up with a transatlantic ocean liner, sail to Europe, spend a few months over there, and then return the same way? Who’s with me?
Dream Job? Not For Me!
There is a dream job available to anyone who loves the beach, the ocean, snorkeling, underwater life, and the southern hemisphere. I would hate this job, because I am not a great swimmer, and I burn too easily in the sun. But I think a good portion of the world's population would love this!
You're the caretaker for an island in the Great Barrier Reef. But hurry, they are only taking applications until February 22nd! If you get the job, please send me a postcard.
You're the caretaker for an island in the Great Barrier Reef. But hurry, they are only taking applications until February 22nd! If you get the job, please send me a postcard.
Hubble's Tonight's Sky
If you love astronomy, or you want to, be sure to check out the monthly Tonight's Sky thingy from the Hubble people. It gives you a little animation detailing constellations you can see that month, planet sightings, season details, and any other astronomical events. We are sure to watch it each month. I think each one is about three minutes long, so it's not a big time investment!
Geeky Cakes!
Here are some awesome Geeky Cakes. I've seen a few of them before on Cake Wrecks, but some of these are new to me. Awesome, and tasty! My favorites are the Lego one, and all the Mario ones. They are just done really well.
Star Trek Embroidery
A little Star Trek, a little embroidery, a little Carmen Miranda. This cracked me up so much. Unfortunately, Wesley Crusher isn't included.
Make Some Snowflakes!
I've seen cool snowflake making sites before, but this one is especially neat because you can also see what other people have made, and you can attach messages to your snowflakes.
Fame
Not the show, not the awesome David Bowie song, but my ever-growing minor fame is the subject today. Apparently word is getting around about my little newspaper blog! It is all very exciting.
First thanks to Dave Beaty, the awesome artist who did the neat superhero graphic for my "What Is Your Superpower?" article. He has a real love of comic books, so he got inspired!
Second, thanks to my high school classmate, Matt Blum, who writes for Wired Magazine's GeekDad blog. He wrote an entry that mentioned and linked to my Daily Courier article on superpowers! Thanks, Matt!
This is pretty cool.
First thanks to Dave Beaty, the awesome artist who did the neat superhero graphic for my "What Is Your Superpower?" article. He has a real love of comic books, so he got inspired!
Second, thanks to my high school classmate, Matt Blum, who writes for Wired Magazine's GeekDad blog. He wrote an entry that mentioned and linked to my Daily Courier article on superpowers! Thanks, Matt!
This is pretty cool.
