I’ve been busy redoing our sprinkler system:
It’s almost complete:
Some pictures of our updated landscaping:
I’ve also been very busy sewing a pillow:
Big week on the bike. I made it to ELV, home of the gnomes:
I’m the one on the right:
Making some brownies:
Mango “chicken” stir fry:
We like privacy. We do not like looking at neighbors’ houses. So for our first project this week, I raised our bamboo privacy wall. I think the neighbors are happy, but the Bigs said they would probably prefer a sound-proof wall. I don’t understand why.
Air traffic control:
Fourth of July preparations:
I even clean up:
The result:
Watermelon salad to go with the cupcakes:
Fourth-of-July paddleboarding:
I took a nap, so I could stay up for the fireworks. They started at 10:00! I did some sparklers while waiting:
While wearing ear protection, of course:
We planted a new tree this week. A Serbian weeping spruce. Here it is in its pot:
And here it is in its new home:
We’re redoing our irrigation system, which means a lot of trenching:
But, more importantly, it means large piles of dirt to play in:
Construction, baking, landscaping. That’s not all. I also do windows:
Oh, and, I almost forgot, I’m also a smokejumper:
We went to Steens Mountain for a few days of hiking and camping. We stayed on the Blitzen River.
We only saw one really large snake on this hike.
I like hiking this year:
The second day, we went for a hike on the Mud Creek Trail:
There was a stream crossing, so I hitched a ride:
I spent most of the hike looking for ‘chocolate’ and putting my footprints in it:
It was hot. Really, really hot:
Roasting marshmallows back at the campsite:
Frenchglen, Oregon. Social distancing since 1872:
On day three, we hiked the Pike Creek Trail. I navigated:
The last night, we camped on the Alvord Playa:
No rules there, so I got to drive:
I think I’ll be a better driver once I can see over the dashboard.
Farmer’s tan or dirt? Maybe a bit of both:
Amazing sunset/lightning storm:
In the morning, I went for a bike ride in the desert:
Dad was running, but he could not keep up. I’m the little speck in the distance:
Finally, heading back to camp:
And, this is what I looked like on the drive home:
I’m working on learning to jump rope.
Strawberries were waiting for us when we got home:
Sweet broccolini with tofu, sesame, and cilantro:
The Bigs went paddle boarding without me on Friday. Not cool.
Maybe it is because I eat all the strawberries from our berry patch before they get any:
Father’s Day breakfast on the porch:
I made Dad a concrete cup and a pine tree coaster:
Mountain biking at Phil’s:
Cleaning my bike:
We tried out some new recipes this weekend. Some were good and some were not so good.
Wheat berries with swiss chard and pomegranate molasses – I took two thank you bites to be polite:
Father’s Day dinner: mushroom risotto. The Bigs say this was good. I don’t do mushrooms.
I did LOVE the cantaloupe, arugula, and pistachio salad though:
Mom and I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookie gelato sandwiches for dessert:
They were delicious.
First strawberries of the year:
I am getting pretty good at this catching business:
Wednesday night is picnic night:
Making guacamole to top our burgers:
Making crumpets. Yes, crumpets:
Look closely. I’m actually in this photo. See if you can find me:
You probably cannot see them, but even my sunglasses are camo:
It was Pop’s birthday, so I made him a cake:
We won’t say how old he is, but happy birthday, Pop:
Sunday at the bike park:
Latest addition to the garage, a rack for my ride:
Han Solo, frozen in carbonite:
Wednesday night picnic and soccer at the river:
Making a citrus battery to power an alarm clock:
And, a potato battery to light an LED:
Measuring the battery voltage with a multi-meter (it was 2.5 V):
Mountain biking at Phil’s:
First watermelon of the year:
Hiking along the river:
Our destination, Dillon Falls:
After our hike, Meera AND Hadley came over! We made princess crowns:
and danced:
Hyderabadi mixed vegetables and lemon rice with peanuts:
Whipped coffees:
Grating some rutabaga for dinner:
which was sweet and sour celery root and rutabaga salad with capers and dried sour cherries:
and ciabatta:
More shelves for the garage:
I ride to the Flaming Chicken all by myself this year – no towing.
Getting suited up for my trip to the ISS:
On board the Dragon crew capsule:
Watching the real thing with Dad. Liftoff!
Backyard science! The volcano is about to erupt:
A new shelf/shovel rack to organize the garage:
Pumpkin cashew cheesecake. I did NOT like it. This made the Bigs very happy. More for them:
Ridiculously spicy red kidney bean curry:
Charred corn and avocado quinoa salad:
Shrimp and apple salad (sounds weird, but oh so good):
Mushrooms and corn in a spicy (again, Mom? Don’t you learn?) curry:
Yaya sent me The Big Book of Experiments. Here I am making dancing raisins (currants, actually). I love science. I demand to do a new experiment every night.
Next experiment: secret messages.
Third experiment: rainbow bubble snake.
The Bigs are determined not to let me be one of these kids who can’t tell time on an analog clock. Up next: cursive writing.
We did our annual bike ride to the Castle of Dragons this weekend. I hitched a ride up, along with my bike:
but I rode down. Dad cannot keep up:
Every week you see all of these yummy food pics. Here is a look at who is actually making that food:
Shaved Brussel sprout salad with apples, cranberries, and pecans, along with a loaf of wheat sourdough bread:
Here I am preparing sesame soba noodles with snow peas, radishes, and cilantro:
Shiitake ramen:
I sense trouble with The Force:
Don’t worry, Mom. I have it handled.
One thing I love almost as much as lightsabers…powertools
Weaving a pot holder. Thank you, Nana!
Making an origami dog:
Hadley came over to play. We did what any pair of four-year-olds would do: played engineer teachers:
Followed by a bit of light gardening (mud play):
Scones and smoothies for breakfast:
This is how I feel about scones:
Pesto pizza with fennel and cauliflower:
Stir-Fried tofu shiitakes and green beans:
Ciabatta:
Pomegranate and mint potato salad:
Coconut black rice bowls with tofu and asparagus:
You think you know how to eat a pear? You do not know how to eat a pear.
This is how you eat a pear:
It has been very nice here lately. We spend lots of time in the backyard. Cornhole champion:
Choke cherry in full bloom (smells so good):
Dinner on the deck. Pesto pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes:
The Bigs have been doing a bit of planting. Eighty-two plants and three trees, to be exact. For once, they did some work and I got to take pictures.
Gives me plenty of pots to use for castle construction:
I have been doing some work too. Mulching:
It was over 80 on Saturday. Hadley has a slip and slide and a fun big brother. I am in love.
Today was, of course, the Day of the Mother:
Day of the Mutter feast (as demanded by the mutter):
Wheat sourdough:
Baba Ganoush:
and hummus, with a spicy walnut topping:
