Snapshot #1154: Cinderella

March 23, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  A friend invited Hazel and I to go to the movies today to see Cinderella.  Sure, there were a few times I wanted to yell at the poor girl to take charge of her own destiny, but I refrained; and Hazel loved it when the mice were turned into horses.

Snapshot #1153: Nearly Nine Months

March 22, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  In case there was any doubt...It's exactly two weeks until due date.  Plane tickets are purchased for both Mother and Mother-in-law.  Nursery just needs some wall decor.  The cradle needs to be brought up to our bedroom from the garage.  The guest room needs curtains hung.  The hospital bag needs one more check.  Hazel's bag needs to be packed.  The car is finally cleaned out--a million thanks to Dave--but the car seat needs to be installed.  I need to practice my breathing every day.  And I need to believe in myself and the power of my body to do this thing it was created for.

Snapshot #1152: Flour Face

March 21, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I'm not sure if more flour ended up on the counter, on her face, on the floor, or in the bowl.

Snapshot #1151: Grass Valley Park

March 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hooray for friends!

Before & After Snapshot #1150: Project Dresser

March 12, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Project nursery is coming along.  I used Annie Sloan's chalk paint for this dresser.  I mixed one part Scandinavian Pink with one part Old White to get this color.  Then I brushed on a little dark wax followed by the clear wax.  I'm not loving the streakiness of the dark wax, but overall it turned out pretty good I think.

Snapshot #1149: Selfies

March 11, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I have no idea where or when Hazel took these photos of herself; I just found them on my phone.  hahaha!

Snapshot #1148: Muddy Feet

March 10, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I don't think it's rained in two weeks, but there's an area of our yard that sits in shadow and never seems to dry out.  Hazel had a ball...until a nightcrawler slunk over her foot.

Snapshot #1147: Spring Flowers

March 9, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  They keep saying this uncharacteristically good weather is going to turn, but I just couldn't help myself.

Snapshot #1146: Project Square Foot Garden--Begin

March 7, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  It has been delightfully (and uncharacteristically) sunny the last couple weeks, so I talked Dave into assembling some raised garden boxes for our backyard.  Ohhh, the potential.

Snapshot #1145: Power Pancakes

February 28, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Our new Saturday tradition, Power Pancakes.  Inspired by Nonnie and her Park City Peacecakes and my mother's cherished ground-wheat pancakes, here is my recipe:

Power Pancakes:

1-1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour (I grind the wheat in my KitchenAid Grain Mill Attachment)

1/2 Cup Oat Flour (I grind rolled oats in my KitchenAid Grain Mill Attachment)

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

2 Eggs

2 Cups minus 2 Tablespoons Milk

2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 Cup Melted Coconut Oil

1/4 - 1/2 Cup White or Whole Wheat Flour as desired, for thickening

Yum!  Yum!  I've started making a double batch and refrigerate the leftovers for weekday mornings.

Snapshot #1144: Seaside

February 21, 2015.  Seaside, Oregon.  Last year's Keri & Dave Wood family vacation to the Russian River was such a success that we thought we'd try another this year.  This time we headed to Seaside, just a two-hour drive from Portland.  The weekend went by way too fast, but the escape was heavenly.

Snapshot #1143: 3 Year Dr. Appointment

February 18, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  With all the commotion of the last six months, Hazel didn't get her three-year well check with her doctor until today.   She is strong and healthy and in the 75% on the charts for height and weight.

Snapshot #1142: If Planted, It Will Grow

February 14, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I've had my mind on fruit trees since we bought our house.  Today we bought and planted two apple trees; Lodi (for applesauce) and a grafted tree with Honeycrisp, Granny Smith & Fuji (for eating).  This makes me giddy. 

Snapshot #1141: Children's Museum Portland

February 11, 2015.  Portland, Oregon.  Talked a new friend into coming with us to the Children's Museum today.  It's always way more fun with a friend!

Snapshot #1140: Jello Playdough

February 10, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I found this recipe for Playdough on Pinterest.  It looked interesting enough to try out.  So far...so good!  I greatly appreciate that it doesn't leave a salty film on everything it touches.

Snapshot #1139: Pre-Writing

February 4, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Around here it seems like all the kids Hazel's age are in pre-school.  Because she's also starting to show an interest in letters, I got her a little workbook that's supposed to start her writing.

Snapshot #1138: Pre-Ballet

February 3, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  Just a few weeks after we moved to Washington I signed Hazel up for dance classes; it's our one weekly commitment thus far.

Snapshot #1137: Tea Time

February 2, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  We're working on making friends.

Snapshot #1136: Multnomah Falls

January 19, 2015.  Portland, Oregon.  Dave's parents came to see us this weekend.  We braved the downpour in order to experience Multnomah Falls with delicious hot cocoa by the fireplace after.  We also discovered Petite Provence (too die for delicious! on Alberta Street) and the Leif Erikson Trail in Portland. 

ps  Hazel LOVES dogs.

Snapshot #1135: Baby Face

January 16, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  Because I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa at the last ultrasound, we got to have another one today.  The Good News:  My placenta has migrated away from the birth canal.  The Even Better News:  This sweet little baby face is going to make her way into our lives very soon.   My due date is Easter Sunday, April 5th.

Snapshot #1134: New Year's 2015

January 1, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  She loved it for 30 minutes, then she started crying, "I want my other beach."  Yeah Hazel, me too...me too.