Monday, March 30, 2009

Spring Break: The Bucket List

Since Dave injured his neck, we decided to scrap our two sets of plans for Spring Break (one was to go to Tahoe, and the other was to go to our place in Deer Valley to ski and visit friends). My sister and her daughter were "ashed in" because of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska. The ash from the volcano caused the airport to close periodically and they were with us for an extra 4 days! My mom made it back to Alaska with 35 minutes to spare (before they shut the airport down) so she missed out on the extra fun, but we all had a great visit. And, since my sister and niece were stuck here, it was perfect that we ended up staying in town. We dragged them everywhere we planned to go and had a great time doing stuff we'd never have had time to do with them otherwise. We accomplished most of my California bucket list over this Spring Break, so I am feeling pretty good in case I die soon! You never know what mad cow or crazy turkey vulture is going to attack next.
 

I was trying to figure out how to make this cool collage so you wouldn't have to scroll down a billion times to see all of the pictures! Now, thanks to Jill, all you have to do is double click on the picture to see everything blown up at once! Thanks, Jill.
 
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So, the official California bucket list included: the mystery spot, alcatraz, moaning caverns, ballooning, hike half dome, and so much more, but that is all I can think of right now!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Whirlwind Wicked Weekend

My mom, sister, and niece came to visit from Alaska and we crammed in so much fun in just a few days! On Friday I took the girls out of school and the six of us went to Discovery Kingdom. We went on Medusa, Kong, Roar, and V2 (twice!) in just 2 hours! Usually I spend that much time in line for just a few rides. It was 78 degrees and beautiful.
Becca, Paige, Alaina
Then we drove to San Francisco and took a cable car to Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf. We took taxi's to China Town, were I found the most beautiful table in the world and a 7 foot painting that I can't live without. We took more taxi's to Sauce and had an incredible dinner. YUM! And we took yet more taxi's to the Orpheum Theater to see the awesome play, Wicked. We all loved it. I drove us all home in one piece...well, I guess in six pieces...but each of us was one exhausted piece.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Bain Girls Beadery

The girls have been working hard at coming up with new designs and are almost ready for business. This is my favorite, isn't it a beautiful set? Alaina and Becca have named it "Peacock". We'll be taking orders on this blog soon.

Just staying at home, eating bon bons and watching my stories...

Yesterday before 9:30am, I had worked out, made French Breakfast Muffins, made Muddy Buddies (with Ryan's help), taken the kids to school, taken Cabo to the groomer, and made an anti-inflammatory banana cake for Dave (he said it was mushy). Then, after a quick trip to Safeway (I went to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods the day before, when I got the mushy bananas) I made caramelitos, and panzanella. I picked up the kids and made rolls, then took Alaina to her orthodontic x-ray appointment, skipped Becca's flute lesson because she had too much homework, then picked up Cabo, picked up Alaina's friend, made chicken supreme, rice, salad, and dressing. Then Andy's friend came over and everyone ate, we took dinner to a friend, and headed to the church for YW/Scouts. Alaina made a deal with me that if we were late she could have one "floor freebie". (I charge the kids a quarter for every piece of clothing left on their bedroom and bathroom floor--I made over $4.00 a few days ago!) We were five minutes early, but fortunately for her, Alaina never leaves anything out. I finally sat down for 10 minutes to eat my cold dinner, then I went back to pick the kids up and take their friends home. And, this was actually one of our less busy days. Maybe someday I'll learn how to be more efficient and productive...

$400 Cake

I should have taken a picture of my masterpiece, but I forgot. I made a cake for our school auction and it sold for $400! I am in the wrong business. Yelling at kids pays nothing. Except in hugs. Which is actually better than money. Really, it is. Next time I make it, I'll post a picture, in case you are curious what a Triple Chocolate Fantasy Cake looks like. They said it was worth it and one of the people who bought it ate 4 pieces. I hope he went jogging the next day.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tahoe, Again!

My brother, Brian, the hockey star

The second weekend in March I drove with Alaina, Becca, and Ryan to our place in Tahoe to see my brother play in a hockey tournament and my nephew ski in the X-Country Junior Olympics. What a talented family I have! My dad came from Alaska to see us all and he and Brian stayed with us at Northstar. It was great to see everyone! Andy had Youth Conference and Dave can't sit in the van very long because of his neck, so we missed them. Without the snow, it only took us 2 hours and 45 minutes! (see previous post for 7 hour trip...)
My Dad, brother, Brian, and nephew, Aaron, after a tasty sushi lunch
Alaina, Becca, Aaron (after his last race), and Ryan, with Logan Lion

Sunday, March 15, 2009

This One Tasted Good!

I have been trying lots of different recipes over the past week, and this was one of Dave's favorites. Looks good, huh?
Cashew French Toast
8 slices no salt, sprouted grain bread
1/4 cup unsalted cashews
1 cup water
1 Tbsp real maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp cinnamon
dash turmeric
In food processor, blend cashews with 1/4 cup water. Add remaining 3/4 cup water and the rest of the ingredients except the bread. Process until very smooth.
Transfer to shallow dish and dip bread in mixture to coat both sides well. Cook on an electric griddle until browned on both sides. Serve with maple syrup and sliced apples and strawberries. Enjoy!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Brilliant Becca

Today I got an email from Becca's teacher that had this as an attachment:She made this comic to explain the water cycle by herself!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

It's gonna be a hungry 6 weeks...


Yesterday my poor husband came home from one of the many doctors he's been seeing for his back with this list of things he is not allowed to eat for the next six weeks: Cows milk, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, mayonnaise, vegetable oils, white rice, white flour, refined and sugar-coated cereals, coconut, chocolate, sugar, salt, decaf coffee, cola...! It is called an "anti-inflamatory diet" and I sure hope it works. He started decompression therapy yesterday and has to eat like this for the duration of treatment. Ugh. Poor guy. Although after nearly 3 months of this pain, he'd try nearly anything.

So, what can he eat? Three stores and two hours later...It is an embarrassingly messy fridge, but at least we have food. Can you tell which shelf is his? Now I just have to learn to cook all over again, and make bland things taste good. Any suggestions? Next post maybe I'll give you a recipe to try!! It is a good thing I love him so much.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Before and After...

Becca and I got brave and decided to donate 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love, where they make wigs for kids with cancer. We did it four years ago and it has taken about that long to grow our hair out again, but I am so grateful that we can grow hair and we thought it would be a nice thing to do one more time.That is a lot of hair!
The new us! I love Becca's a-line bob. She looks darling. I think I look a little older :( but it will grow back!