Friday, April 23, 2010

Spring Break - Chocolate

Just around the block from the pretzel bakery was the chocolate factory . . . so of course we were up for the walk. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but let me tell you, once you stepped inside those doors, the smell was a.maz.ing.
There were awesome displays of all kinds of antique containers. This was Sarah's favorite:
A "riveting" movie about the growth, production, and harvesting of cacao beans and the history of chocolate. You can see who is riveted by the documentary . . . I think Matthew was watching because of some kind of violence between indigenous peoples and European explorers displayed on the screen at this given moment. I really did find it interesting. . . maybe that means I'm boring? Oh, well.
And then time for a little browsing in the museum, and in the candy shop - hands down everyone's favorite part. We all snapped up some delicious - if rather pricey - chocolate and headed back out. Uh, yeah, no pictures of that either . . . too busy unwrapping, eating, and licking off fingers. My own.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Spring Break - Pretzels

On day two we went to the first pretzel-making factory in the United States - Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.
We learned a little pretzel history. Who knew there was so much to know? It was actually very cool - lots of symbolism in pretzels.
And then we got to try our hand at making our own pretzels.
Concentrating on rolling the dough to just the right thickness.



Twisting . . . carefully.
And . . . TA DA!

Proud pretzel makers with their finished products:

Didn't I get any pictures of the kids eating their pretzels? Of course not, silly, I was busy stuffing my own face with my pretzel!

Spring Break - Park Day

We had a fantastic Spring Break. Kristi and her kids (Adam, Alyse, and Ely) came for the week. It stopped raining just before they arrived, so first up was the park.
Jacob and Ely

were swingin' buddies.

Megan and Alyse had a great time exploring the park


and sliding on the rollie slide together.

Matthew and Adam
had a great time getting muddy
in the "maze" of swamp reeds.

We all enjoyed a welcome sunshiney day after several days of rain, rain, rain.