Stella Mae

Geocaching and Buffalo

Early Spring in the Farm!

Getting very excited for some signs of life and color around the farm!  After a long, chilly, and snowy winter new growth, buds, and blossoms are a welcome sight.

first, adding color to the wardrobe

a view of our neighbor's barn from our property...they're real farmers (we just pretend)

site of garden 2014...gotta get busy!  scott tilled it up last weekend so it's a clean slate!



do you see the woodpecker?  he's a regular.

blooming tree right outside Max's window

GA Friends...the Johnsons

On our way to Florida we stopped at Sarah's college friend Holly's house. The girls made fondant and the boys played swords. Max also taught Will how to play Minecraft, of course. Holly made us a delicious lasagna and we shared some fun memories and good laughs. Friends for 23 years now! Wow.

Doodle for Google

Julia got her siblings to enter the Doodle for Google contest this year!  Max had a great entry but his imagination went a little too far and his octopus exudes ink...thus the black mess in the corner.  Looks like a mistake...owell.  Ellie's could be a little darker/brighter.  Anyway, they had a great time doing it and will keep an eye on the extraordinary entries from around the nation!

Operation Happy Sock

Julia and Ellie's Junior Girl Scout troop participated in two take action projects for their Agent of Change journey.  They chose to organize a small book drive to support literacy through the Better World Books program and donate goodies called happy socks (Operation Happy Sock) to the local animal shelter.  During the meeting, the girls stuffed approximately 200 socks with poly-fill and catnip and tied it off with a knot.  These socks will be donated to the shelter for their over-population of cats!

Circus

Tonight was scout night at the Ringling Circus downtown so we took advantage of discounted tickets (which were GREAT) and brought Max to his first circus.  It was soooooooooo good.  We all had our favorite parts and the show was pretty lengthy and full of surprises and excitement.  Although it was late, afterwards we took the kids for some frozen yogurt...yumm-o!

Downtown Cincy!

Weekend of Friends

Arctic Animals

Max's 1st grade class exhibited their arctic animals and reports for parents and for older classes today! They were all so proud of their hard work. It was cool to see what they made out of recycled trash!

Here is Max in desperate need of a haircut.  With his arctic hare.

Some of his friends with their arctic animals too

A close-up of the famous hare.  I think he needs glasses like Max.

We need a lesson on there v. their :)

Marinated Greek Salad

This is a favorite salad recipe from my mother-in-law...SO yumm-o.  The original recipe calls for a cup of olive oil but I feel that that's too much.  A 1/2 cup or even a 1/4 cup is enough and saves on calories.



Marianted Greek Salad
Ingredients:

• 2-3 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 English cucumber, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small jar capers, drained
• 1 small can sliced black olives, drained
• 1/2 lb. crumbled feta cheese
• 2 or 3 small dill pickles, chopped
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 2-3 Tbl. lemon juice
• 2-4 tsp. dried oregano
• 3 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 2 Tbl. red wine vinegar
• salt and pepper, to taste

You can add or subtract veggies according to taste.  Just mix and enjoy!