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.

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.

Spring Song

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Hark, I hear a robin calling!
List, the wind is from the south!
And the orchard-bloom is falling
Sweet as kisses on the mouth.

In the dreamy vale of beeches
Fair and faint is woven mist,
And the river's orient reaches
Are the palest amethyst.

Every limpid brooke is singing
Of the lure of April days;
Every piney glen is ringing
With the maddest roundelays.

Come and let us seek together
Springtime lore of daffodils
Giving to the golden weather
Greeting on the sun-warm hills.

Ours shall be the moonrise stealing
Through the birches ivory-white;
Ours shall be the mystic healing
Of the velvet-footed night.

Ours shall be the gypsy winding
Of the path with violets blue,
Ours at last the wizard finding
Of the land where dreams come true.

Calling all lads and lassies

I can't claim any Irish blood running through my veins, but I have always been a bit enchanted by the Emerald Isle. Some random facts about me:

1. I love the color green.

2. A favorite word of mine has always been verdant: adj. green, lush, leafy, fresh, grassy, flourishing. Doesn't that describe Ireland perfectly?

3. I sing "Christmas in Kilarney" year round. Have for years. And I never get sick of it. (My family probably does, though.)

4. I wish I could really do Irish jigging. I try, but it is more a good workout for my abs (due to hysterical laughter at myself) than amazing dancing.

5. I love bagpipes and Celtic music and Irish pub songs.

6. "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" is a movie I truly enjoy. I mean, who doesn't love Sean Connery in his younger years - singing nonetheless - and little leprechauns dancing?

And, speaking of leprechauns . . .
This is the cutest little leprechaun I have ever seen. Don't you agree? He even led me to his pot of gold.

7. Thanks to my dear friend and true Irish lass, Sarah, I now love corned beef and cabbage. Unfortunately, Sarah is in Spain this year and so I missed my yearly feast with her. Even my kids missed it. I think I may actually try my hand at it on my own.

8. And Irish Potatoes. Ever had 'em? A couple will do ya - they are super sweet. But, oh, they are yummy. I actually have a recipe for homemade ones that I prefer to the overpriced store bought ones. And the kids love to help make them. You know what we'll be doing this afternoon!

If you want to try your own, here's the recipe (I usually halve it and it still makes a ton.)

1/2 lb. butter, softened

approximately 2 lbs. powdered sugar

approximately 1 large package coconut

approximately 1/3 c. light Karo syrup

approximately 2 T vanilla extract

cinnamon as needed

Mix (with your hands) butter, powdered sugar, coconut, Karo syrup, and vanilla. Knead it until you get a texture that is not too sticky but will hold together. (Add more sugar and coconut if needed.) Form mixture into small, round balls and roll in cinnamon. Voila! They look like tiny potatoes. (The filling also makes great little Easter eggs when dipped in melted chocolate.)

Anyway, enjoy your St. Patrick's Day! We will be filling out bellies with yummy food, jigging around the family room, and settling down to watch "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". One day I hope to search for wee folk myself in beautiful, lovely, verdant Ireland.

Luck 'o the Irish to You!

A little wiggle here . . .

My tooth is loose.

It won't come out.

My tooth is all I think about.

I wiggle it when I first get up.

I wiggle it when I pat my pup.

I wiggle it when I do my math.

I wiggle it when I take my bath.

Wiggle. Giggle. Wiggle. Giggle.

Will my tooth come out today?

Maybe I'll try to twist it this way. . .

Mom, Mom! My tooth came out!

Let's all dance, and sing, and shout!

First tooth lost

$2 gained

Super excited boy

Oh, We Have a Fever

Of the cabin variety.

Now, we have plenty of toys at our house, but sometimes you just need:

the same thing in a new location,

or a video game bike,

or real bikes,

or some cool music to get your groove on,

or an airplane ride with a friend



to get a fever under control. Yes. That is just what we needed.