Book Club, Fruit Dip & Cinnamon Rolls

When it comes to preparation for upcoming events, I am a bit like Toad in the Frog and Toad Series.  Overwhelmed by all he has to do, Toad lays down in bed, pulls the covers over his head and cries, "Tomorrow!  Tomorrow!  I will do it ALL TOMORROW!!"

So, last night, knowing that book club was meeting at my house this morning at 10, and after inspecting the dirty dishes, floors that needed sweeping, vacuuming, etc., I took a lesson from Toad and went to bed.

This morning I realized I did have apples and bananas, and (miracle) instant vanilla pudding, so I could make Grandma's fruit dip:

Grandma's Fabulous Fruit Dip

1 cup milk

1 small container instant vanilla pudding

1 cup sour cream

Which I mixed up and put to chill in the fridge.

Then, feeling a bit of culinary confidence, I attempted cinnamon rolls... All went well except for the carmel bubbling over the sides and scorching in the oven.  So, instead of homey, baking smells, the book club ladies experienced eau de burned sugar when they first arrived.  

I ignored that and pretended to be really academic and very interested in the book discussion.  And now, whew, I won't have to do that again for several months.

P.S.  I wish I could show you some lovely photos, but Braeburn stole my camera for his trip to England. (I can't blame him, but it is inconvenient.)  

Very, Very Good

Idaho weather reminds me of a little nursery rhyme:

There was a little girl, who had a little curl,

right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good, she was VERY, VERY GOOD!

But when she was bad, she was HORRID.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Golden Delicious debuted this week in her first Shakespeare production.

In a nut shell, here's the plot:  "Helena the fair" loves Demetrius in vain because Demetrius and Lysander both love Hermia.  

They all flee to the woods; where, with a little help from the fairies, BOTH men fall madly in love with Helena (that was a really funny part - Granny Smith hooted with laughter). 

And then, finally, Helena is loved by Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander get together again,  and all is well.

Golden Delicious with her Dad - phooey on Demetrius

Helena pleads for Demetrius' love...

Helena:  "Stay, though thou kill me sweet Demetrius.."

Helena plotting to get Demetrius by hook or by crook...

Helena:  "I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night pursue her.  And for this intelligence, if I have thanks, it is a dear expense.  But herein I mean to enrich my pain, to have his sight thither and back again".  

Both men awake and fall madly in love with Helena...

Demetrius:  "OH HELENA!  Goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!  To what my love could I compare thine eyne?"

And Helena is happy...

Helena:  "And I have found Demetrius like a jewel."

And there you have it folks, Shakespeare at it's finest!

Happy June 11th??

Yes, this is snow.  No, I am not happy.  But then, neither are my tomatoes, peppers or flowers which I have valiantly covered the last 6 nights to prevent from freezing temperatures.  I am already planning my speech for my grand children, "now kids, when I was your age, we had so much snow.....!"

Big Bertha Rides Again

This weekend is Fathers and Sons Outing and the ward is going up to Green Canyon.  Mr. Bechtel, who is Young Men's president, seems to be the man of the hour.  Do the Elders or High Priests ever do anything? (Ok, I shouldn't say that.  Please ignore if you're offended.)   Luckily, his cooking is very good!  The boys have been ready to go all day.  Big Bertha made her first appearance of the season, and even got her new registration stickers for the event.

Granny Smith will guard the hot dog and hamburger fixings.

Braeburn  is riding shotgun and questioning the need for pictures...

And the rest of the crew, plus cousin Stock Dog, is riding in the loft.

FINALLY they are on the road!  

I have finished making all the cookies for Golden Delicious' play tonight and I am turning on MY music (which is going to be Josh Groban Christmas stuff - see why I can't do this while the boys are around?) , and read whatever I want for a few minutes, which happens to be "The Contrary Farmer".  

Don't worry, I'll help Mr. Bechtel unpack tomorrow....

You Know There's Something Women Like...

About a Pickup Man.

The yellow truck (tweety) was one of Mr. Bechtel's first projects.  (note Braeburn's early introduction to machines).  We still have it and it runs like a charm.

The projects continue...

And now - He has help.  Training in progress.

Idaho History Tour

This weekend The Spy twins and I went exploring Idaho. 

 

Prairie Spy and Nova Spy are in 4th Grade this year, which is Idaho history year.  We decided to go with a couple of other kids and moms to see some historical things.  I loved being with these guys!  They took such good care of me.  Nova Spy walked carefully with me through the cave at Craters of the Moon just to make sure I didn't slip (there was snow still) or get lost on some wrong path.  Great boys!

Here's Nova Spy locked in the old jail in Boise.  I hope he gets out because it was not a fun place.

Prairie Spy at Craters of the Moon.  The weather was perfect and we avoided falling in any of the collapsed caves.  Uggh!

And here are the mighty adventurers with Big Southern Butte in the background.  A good time was had by all!