Snapshot #1093: Children's Discovery Museum

May 31, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I guess we can't get enough of this place.  This trip was extra special because Daddy came with us.

Snapshot #1092: New Horizons

May 24, 2014.  Portland, Oregon.  Dave took this picture on a flight home from an interview in the Portland area.  New Horizons could be coming our way...

Snapshot #1091: Love for Babies

May 21, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Hazel is no longer jealous of babies...now she loves them.

Snapshot #1090: Let's Play TV

May 20, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The Children's Discovery Museum has a new exhibit, Storyland.  I didn't think that much of it, but Hazel got a giggle out of being on TV.

Snapshot #1089: Sewing a Car Organizer

May 19, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Sewing every spare chance that I get and thoroughly enjoying this project.

Snapshot #1088: Begin Project--Car Organizer

May 17, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm trying to knock projects off my to-do list; can you tell?  This canvas will..hopefully soon...look like the photograph.

Snapshot #1087: Peppermint Foot Scrub

May 16, 2014.  San Jose, California.  This was super easy.  I combined Turbinado Sugar with Almond Oil and a little Peppermint Essential Oil...voila!

Snapshot #1086: The Gift of Vitamin D

May 15, 2014.  Santa Cruz, California.  We gave Dave the gift of a little Vitamin D today for his birthday and spent the day at Natural Bridges State Beach.  We breakfasted at Linda's Seabreeze Cafe in Santa Cruz...scrumptious omelets!

Snapshot #1085: First Piano Lesson

May 14, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I haven't really started piano lessons.  But I thought I could start with letter association by moving a puzzle she's familiar with to the piano, and see if she takes an interest.

Snapshot #1084: Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

 May 13, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I found this recipe for Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub on my mother-in-laws pinterest board and decided to make it for her, for Mother's Day.  I made a little extra for myself...delish!  Here's how:

Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon ginger, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cold-pressed oil (tea seed, jojoba, sunflower, or almond oil)
3/4 cup granulated or turbinado sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1-4 drops essential oil (I used lemongrass)

In a small saucepan over low heat heat the coconut oil and ginger pieces. Continue heating for 5-10 minutes until ginger scent and juice has transferred into the oil. Remove from heat and press through a fine mesh sieve or through a coffee filter.

While the oil is still warm, mix together with cold-pressed oil. Stir to combine and allow to come to room temperature. Stir in sugar and salt. Scent with essential oils as desired. Pack into a container.

Snapshot #1083: Cloud Dough

May 12, 2014.  San Jose, California.  This morning's experimentation is with Cloud Dough.  I'm hoping to get lots of deep cleaning done while she's entertained.  

Snapshot #1082: Pathways Run/Walk

May 10, 2014.  Los Altos, California.  I did the Los Altos Hills Pathways 5K Run/Walk this morning.  My first time wearing a number.  

Snapshot #1081: No-Knead Bread

May 9, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm making this no-knead bread for dinner.  It's delicious hot out of the oven.  Thanks for the tutorial last week, Tierney!

Follow-up:  The bread was mmm...mmm good!  See my pic above...makes you want to come over for dinner...huh!

Snapshot #1080: Music Makers

May 8, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We are blessed.  So very, very blessed to be part of such a wonderful mommy-and-me network.

Snapshot #1079: Mommy's Little Helper

May 7, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We use the term "help" very loosely around here.

Snapshot #1078: Curiosity

May 6, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum; I LOVE this place.

Snapshot #1077: Strawberries from my Garden

May 5, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Where's the best place for an elephant to hide?  Why, in a strawberry patch, of course.  Have YOU ever found an elephant in a strawberry patch?

Snapshot #1076: Wildcat Loop Trail

May 3, 2014.  Cupertino, California.  Our reward for hiking the full Wildcat Loop Trail at Rancho San Antonio earlier this week.

Snapshot #1075: Homemade Bread

May 2, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I instructed a couple friends today on the art of making bread--starting with grinding our own wheat.  A day in the kitchen is always more fun with friends!

Snapshot #1074: Foam Blocks

May 1, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's favorite spot at my YMCA is the table with foam blocks.

Snapshot #1073: Water! Water!

April 30, 2014.  San Jose, California.  It hit 89 degrees today.  We found respite from the heat thanks to a water feature at a local park.

Snapshot #1072: Last Class Gymnastics

April 29, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  It was her last class with Gym Tots today.  Miss Elicia, we will miss you.

Snapshot #1071: Bread Baker's Apprentice

April 28, 2014.  San Jose, California.  She's my little apprentice as I'm practicing for a bread baking class I will be teaching this upcoming Friday.

Snapshot #1070: Mormon Helping Hands

April 26, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  We worked at Sunnyvale's City Hall today planting shrubs and flowers.  Good times.

Snapshot #1069: Date Night with Daddy

April 25, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We're out on the town again...not quite 24 hours after her fever broke late last night.

Snapshot #1068: House Arrest

April 24, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Her fever hit 104.5 today.  We aren't going anywhere...except maybe to see the doctor.

Snapshot #1067: Memory

April 23, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Hazel came down with a fever yesterday afternoon so we're in house arrest today.  I'm teaching her the game, Memory.

Snapshot #1066: Easter Egg Hung 2014

April 22, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We had an easter egg hunt for the children on the back lawn of the church today.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #1065: Thee BEST Apple Pie

April 21, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Thee best apple pie I've ever made...or ever tasted...yes, I'm biased.  Click here for the recipe.  I made the following changes:

First, I made my mother-in-law's pie crust--
Combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine 1/3 cup cold water and 2/3 cup canola oil by pouring it back and forth between two containers to air-ate and fill with tiny little bubbles
Slowly mix water/oil mixture into flour/salt mixture with a fork until just combined then divide in two equal balls and roll out between two sheets of wax paper

Then, I took 2 bartlett pears and 6 granny smith apples
I peeled, sliced and cored the apples and pears, then sprinkled them with lemon juice (to keep them from browning and give them a little extra flavor) and placed them in the pie crust.
Put the lattice work crust over the lemoned apples & pears.
Prepare the sauce.  I used salted butter and added the following ingredients:
An extra tablespoon of flour, totaling 4TB flour, added 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1 tsp vanilla (the vanilla goes in at the very end, otherwise it boils off)
Once slightly thickened, I poured the piping hot sauce slowly over the pie and crust
And baked at 350, 45 mins approx.  And...Yummm!!!

See My Recipe Below:

Ingredients
1 Recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie
6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and sliced
sprinkle of lemon juice
1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
1.  Place the bottom crust in pie pan.  Fill with apples & pears, mounded slightly and sprinkled with lemon juice.  Cover with a lattice work crust.
2.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Melt the butter in a saucepan.  Stir in flour to form a paste.  Add water, white sugar, brown sugar, and spices and bring to a boil.  Reduce temperature and let simmer.  Add vanilla just before pouring over the apples.
3.  Gently pour the hot sugar and butter liquid over the crust.  Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
4.  Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven.  Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F.  Continue baking for 35-45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Let sit for 15 minutes, then serve with vanilla ice cream.  Yummm!

Snapshot #1064: Easter Sunday 2014

April 20, 2014.  San Jose, California.  A darling easter dress from Granny, coloring eggs with Daddy, making pie crust with Mommy, and playing in a friend's yard after dinner.  Perfect day.