Good Mail

A friend of mine started a wonderful group called Good Mail. That is simply what it is - pick a lady from the group and send them some "good mail." Good Mail (def.): anything that isn't a bill, bad news, or other unwanted pieces of paper with postage. Here is a sample of some of the GREAT mail I've received so far:



Thank You Hilary and Joyce for making my day! Your mail came at just the right time!

New haircut

Part three of the haircutting process...












That's purple streaks in her hair... no not permanent, just a little perk of the stylist, Allison

One of my happy places....

The Bellingham Farmer's Market!

Well, any farmer's market for that matter.

I don't know what it is about the FM, but I LOVE it. I feel like such a part of great community. I feel like I am doing something to help out my Bellingham peeps by buying local. More than that, I love taking my kids and showing them all the beautiful things that come from God's creation. The summer produces such gorgeous colored veggies and fruits, not to mention tasty. We go and slowly browse through the stands, gazing at the splendid colors. It's usually the same every week with a few changes as new veggies come into season, but I truly love being there.

Look at all that healthy stuff!

The flowers are also so exquisite, and their colors are so brilliant!

This booth must be avoided at all costs! But look how delish all the sweets look?

This is one of my favorite booths... She sells ALL KINDS of mint - pineapple mint, chocolate mint, orange mint, ginger mint. You name it, she probably has it!

I threw this picture in because it is the story of my life. No matter WHERE it is, if there is a water fountain, my children become incredibly parched and HAVE to drink from the fountain!! Suddenly they're like camels. Oh well, at least they won't be dehydrated!

My favorite place at the FM is called Ralf's Bavarian Bakery. Ralf's wife, Heidi, is the sales women. She is always dressed so adorable in the traditional Bavarian garb. They serve huge bavarian pretzel twists, long baked pretzel sticks with nutella (chocolate hazelnut) spread, cheese pretzel sticks, and delish pretzel bun sandwiches with cream cheese and salami. They are SO good that you really need to eat two or three.

If you are ever in a town that has a community farmer's market, support your local growers!!

Summer Projects

While we have been enjoying summer, we have also been missing school. So, Maddie got creative the other day and decided that she wanted to write a book about her favorite fruits and vegetables. I was so proud of her, I had to share it with you all...




The End....

She wrote every word by herself. I helped her figure out how to spell the words, but she even spelled a few on her own. My favorite "veggie," though, is Mac & Cheese... I don't know...

She very proud of her book, can you tell?!


We have also been busy in the kitchen! Little Miss likes to cook. So she had her first lesson in my famous Baked Potato Salad, which she made all by herself. I will post a recipe for it at a later time... uuummmmm! She was THRILLED that I let her use the "big" knife (no fingers were lost!)



Also... today we decorated school bus cookies (thanks Nani)! Can you TELL she's excited about starting Kindergarten? Everything is school right now...



I am sure there will be many more projects to come before Fall.

35 days and counting...

Summer Orzo Chicken Salad

This recipe is from my friend, Laura. It is a delicious summer salad that she always made for her BBQs and potlucks. I miss you living here, Laura! Come back! I usually make it at least once a summer. I could eat the whole bowl if I tried... enjoy!


Summer Orzo Chicken Salad

2 cooked, cubed chicken breasts
2 cups cooked orzo pasta (about half the box uncooked)
1/2 - 1 small container of grape tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, seeds removed, chucked
2 jars or 1 can of artichoke hearts, chopped
3 peppers (choose 3 different colors), chopped
Fresh chopped basil to taste
1 cup feta cheese

Dressing:
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. ground pepper

1. Cook pasta according to box directions; cool

2. Chop all vegatables while pasta is cooking

3. Combine and mix pasta and all fresh ingredients

4. Pour dressing over mix

5. Stir in feta

6. Serve chilled!