THE GRASS SKIRT

Yesterday, Easter gifts arrived for Miss AddyLouHoo. One of which, was a bikini with a matching grass skirt. Here is the expression of pure, unbridled elation when I put it on her.

Photo 1: "Look at me mama!"

Photo 2: "Twirl, Bitty, twirl."

Photo 3: No words, just angry bellows which I interpreted as "I hate this damn bikini top, take it off or I am going into hysterics!!!" Needless to say, while she love the skirt, the bikini - for reasons unknown to me - caused near panic when I put it on her.

Sous Chef

My friends, Amber & Pam, and I started a Potluck Book Club. The idea is to read food-themednovels or non-fiction and when bookclub convenes we each bring a dish to share inspired by what we've read. It's fun! Having read Gabriel, Cinnamon & Clove, by Jorge Amado, we met at Amber's and I made Esfirras Massakara (Esfihas) and a Brazilian Bolo cake.

The first dish appears to be the Brazilian version of an empanada, however it is yeast bread (not pastry) filled with an interesting and delectable mix of caramelized onion, chili, braised beef, tomato, black pepper, ginger, and coconut milk.

While I neglected to take any photos of us at bookclub, I do have a couple to show how very helpful my petit sous chef was during food prep.

The mess was obscene.

Garden Day 2

After rototilling, Eric measured out all of my garden area so I could have even and orderly rows.

Bitty helping move dirt...

Eric was terribly hungover after an evening of good food, good company, and nasty Irish whiskey. While trying to rest he was regularly attacked/harassed by Bitty and Atila.

Too cute.

Here she is trying to escape: she gets out of the gate, runs down the alley, hollering "swing, swing, SWIIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!," on her way to the local park & playground. You should see me, all pregnant, running after her.

let the gardening begin!

Rototiller, steer manure, compost, dirt, rake, shovel, hoe, SUNSHINE... check! It has begun. We worked our dirt in preparation for gardening. I just can't wait. I love diggin' in the dirt and plants & flowers and eating fresh from our garden.

Here sits our "helper," a term applied very, very loosely I assure you. She spent the majority of the day throwing dirt & rocks, turning the hose off and on, and generally being pesky.

Lunch with Gammy

After grocery shopping and running errands, AddyLouHoo and I met up with Gammy for a lunch date. She started to get squirrely before we were done and, of course, Gammy suggested we order some dessert to keep her quiet. It worked and she got chocolate cake, fudge, and vanilla ice cream everywhere. Trudi took this picture with her iPhone.

birthday wishes for Trudi

Happy Birthday Ma-in-Law! We had a lovely evening with Bob & Trudi to celebrate her day. We dined at Wine O'Clock here in Prosser and that was great. While there we had a black pansy & champagne granita that I think I could eat everyday for the rest of my life...

Bitty & Gammy, aaawwwww!

Eric and the 'rents grinnin' at AddyLouHoo.

Here's Bitty delirious with happy that she can giggle with Gammy.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRUDI, hope this year is everything you wanted!

just because

...she's so darn cute.

AddyLouHoo you look like such a GIRL. Sweet pigtails gorgeous!