summer swim

Our first dip in the Ogden High School pool was a blast. We had a couple tag-alongs (Geoff, Asher, Annika too!). The first picture shows some pre-swim dancing, the second picture was taken right before the three of us fell backwards in a big soggy clump. Fun times!

Cooking Day with Ms. Drais

 Today's host of the post is Ms."Betty Baker" Jessica Drais of Salt Lake City. She will be showing you how to make her award winning marinara sauce served over ravioli with a side of sauteed green beans. For dessert she will show you how to create delicious brownies. All from scratch of course, never a box!

 These are the ingredients you will need.

 First, saute the onions and garlic in olive oil.

 Then, crush some whole canned tomatoes (preferably organic) with your hands. Add the tomatoes to the saucepan.

 Wait 15-20 minutes for the sauce to simmer. Season with basil, thyme, sea salt and pepper. Ms. Drais likes to add whipping cream or sour cream to create a richer tasting "pink sauce."

 Serve sauce with pasta of your preference. Add a green vegetable to create a well-rounded meal. Here, Ms. Drais sauteed fresh green beans in olive oil and rosemary to accompany her tasty pasta dish.

 For the brownies: Melt 1/2 c. of butter and 4 ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate.

 Mix in the dry ingredients, eggs and vanilla. The batter should have a heart-warming chocolaty vanilla aroma.

 Place brownie batter into prepared pan (lined with tin foil and greased with butter), bake for 40 minutes at 325 degrees.

 Serve warm brownie with ice cream and drizzled chocolate sauce.

Enjoy with your friends!

Please stay tuned for more cooking posts from Ms. Drais! Ta Ta for now!

Summer Monday

 Computer time at the Library

 Jess finished her painting. I'm so proud of her, she made a wonderful seascape!

 Feeding the ducks and geese. Those geese were aggressive. We thought they were coming to peck our eyeballs out, so we jumped on top of a bench. Asher claims that they pulled on his clothes even! Below is when we got our feet wet in the brooklet running by. On a hot summer day, who can resist?

Our little side-kick, Asher, popped by for a while this afternoon. This is a little video of them interacting. Jess is so good with kids, you can see her good nature and sense of humor in this one!

June Monday

 The paintings are coming along. They are works in progress and I could not photograph any of them yet, as it would violate the creative creed and our imaginative spirits. Next week though, I hope we can finish them and show them off!

 Here is a sneak peek.

 Ok. Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but we spent a good while wrapped in quilts laying on the couch today listening to music off the i-pad. It was so fun and relaxing, we couldn't help it. Next time we will use that time to crochet lepers bandages, visit the old-folks-home, and comfort little tiny chihuahuas trapped in small cages (see past post), we promise. :)

 Jessica still loves her diet coke.

 This delicious lunch came from Warren's. It was really really good. When Jessica replied "kids meal," to my query about what she wanted for lunch, I knew that this is where we needed to go. It didn't disappoint.

All aboard!

A Friend to Man and Beast

It was so fun to watch Jessica interact with the animals at the Ogden shelter in such a loving and kind way. She gave all the animals special attention and care. It was sad for me to go there and see them all caged up, barking and meowing: visibly fearful and uncomfortable about their surroundings. We couldn't take any home with us, but at least we could love them for a minute or two.

Jess teaches Asher how to make Whoopie Pies!

Computers! Salad! Ogden!

 Library time

 yummy salad

lunch at the Weber State LDS Institute. We've kind of made ourselves regulars over there. There are usually some kids playing basketball and they let us in the game, there is also free parking, and a microwave that works!