Snapshot: Easter Egg Hunt 2013

March 31, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Dave stayed home from church today with a sick little Hazel (conjunctivitis).   When I got home he surprised me with an Easter Egg Hunt for Hazel.  It was so perfect and unexpected. 

Snapshot: Aunt Feetie

March 30, 2013.  Long Beach, California.  I just love this picture of Hazel and I with my grandmother's sister, Aunt Feetie.  Thanks for letting us stay with you this week.  Our time together has been a treasure.

Exploring California: San Diego Zoo

March 29, 2013.  San Diego, California.  Half of us were sick (likely got it from Hazel).  But we persisted anyway.  My favorites were the Secretary Birds, the R.O.U.S.'s (also known as Capybaras) and the Panda Bears.

Exploring California: Corona del Mar Beach

 

March 28, 2013.  Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California.  Our playground for a day or two.  Not bad, eh?!

Video Snapshot: Balboa Island Ferryride

Exploring California: Balboa Island Ferry

March 27, 2013.  Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California.  When they said we were taking a ferry from Balboa Island I was expecting to see naturally picturesque coastline from the deep blue.  Instead, we got a tour of yachts and seaside homes owned by people with ridiculous amounts of money.  

Exploring California: Crystal Cove State Beach

March 26, 2013.  Newport Beach, California.  Yesterday we loaded the car and drove south five hours until we reached a hotel with Dave's family and the beautiful beach town of Newport.  This morning we walked down to the historic Crystal Cove and enjoyed a walk along the beach followed by a scrumptious breakfast at The Beachcomber.  The beach was uniquely picturesque dotted with colorful, dilapidated shacks.  Perfectly perfect. 

Snapshot #786: Yardwork

March 16, 2013.  San Jose, California.  After a few more weeks of yardwork I'm hoping our backyard starts looking purposeful.

Before & After: Snapshot #785: Hazel's First Hair Cut

March 11, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I was really reluctant for Hazel's first hair cut, but my sister-in-law is a beautician and she inspired me with confidence while we were staying with them last week in Utah.  I am so glad she was willing to take on the task.  Now Hazel's hair is Darling!  Thanks Jen.

Snapshot #784: Shopping with Mama

March 12, 2013.  Santa Clara, California.  She's a good sport when it comes to shopping with mama. 

Snapshot #783: No Place Like Home

March 11, 2013.  San Jose, California.  It's good to be home.  Hazel jumped up and down and clapped her hands once she realized she was home again.  She and I have been catching up on some much-needed down time.

Snapshot #782: Food for Thought

March 9, 2013.  Sandy, Utah.  Tonight Hazel and I fly back to San Jose and to Dave.  But not before having lunch with his parents.  

Snapshot #781: Cousins

March 8, 2013.  Ephraim, Utah.  Spending time with my brother and his family has been a gift.  I had forgotten how delightful cousins can be.

Snapshot #780: Skyline Coal Mine

March 7, 2013.  Ephraim, Utah.  I am fortunate to be able to spend several days with my brother in Ephraim, Utah.  Today my mother and I drove with his wife up to Skyline Mine, where he is a civil engineer.  To get there we drove nearly an hour through mountainous terrain heavily blanketed in white snow.  The vistas were tauntingly appealing, yet knowingly treacherous.  I spent the evening learning about coal and how it is mined today.  I found this video very helpful in understanding the enormous machinery that is used at the mine.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #779: Carrot Cake

March 6, 2013.  Wendell, Idaho.  Happy Birthday brother!  This carrot cake was extraordinarily delicious.  I made several modifications to the online recipe based on the reviews.  Vegetables have never tasted so good.

Most Delicious Carrot Cake

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups grapeseed oil
1/2 cup applesauce
8 oz. crushed pineapple (juice squeezed out)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups grated carrots

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil. Mix in crushed pineapple, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and flour. Stir in carrots. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. Carefully slice cake in half horizontally, spread a layer of vanilla pudding laced with maple flavoring.  Reassemble the cake then frost with a cream cheese frosting also laced with maple flavoring.

Snapshot #778: Sitting with Grandpa

March 5, 2013.  Wendell, Idaho.  Hazel has a sweet relationship with the adult men in her life...she is drawn to them; I think especially due to the absence of her daddy on this trip.  We love and miss you Dave!

Snapshot #777: Childhood Nostalgia

March 4, 2013.  Wendell, Idaho.  My mom was so sweet in setting up mine and Hazel's room this visit.  She made the bed with my old comforter and then decorated it with some of my old stuffed animals.  Hazel can't get enough!

Snapshot #776: Uncle Nelson

March 3, 2013.  Wendell, Idaho.  Hazel has taken a special liking to her Uncle Nelson.  He plays games with her and she laughs and laughs.  It also doesn't hurt that he's the one with the dogs.

Snapshot #775: Helping Hands

March 2, 2013.  Meridian, Idaho.  This cheerful color is now on the walls of my sister's powder & laundry rooms.  She also now has a pumpkin orange guest bath and all new hardware on 19 interior doors that have been re-painted white.  This work took seven people over seven hours to accomplish and has become an annual helping hands tradition for our Family.  We love you, sis!