Hood Canal Butter Clams

While at a friend's house on Hood Canal, I went on my first butter clam dig. We had fun pulling the clams from the sand. We filled a huge 5 gallon bucket in about 20 minutes. We had so many that I brought some home.  Katie tried one and didn't really like it. I ate as many as I could. Really yummy.

Single Serving Cookies!

Thank you, fellow Pinners for fueling our energy in the kitchen.  In our wanderings on Pinterest, Katie and I found this yummy microwave cookie recipe. I normally don't cook in the microwave. I defrost in the microwave. I reheat in the microwave. I don't even cook bacon in the microwave usually. But this recipe...well, it is fun and the microwave makes it quick!

After dinner on a week night, while we watch the newest reality show, we make a cookie and share it.

The most friendly recipe that we found for this was http://lacreativitedelafille.blogspot.com/2012/06/single-serving-deep-dish-chocolate-chip.html.

We found quite a few single serving recipes to try in this blog!

Tech Savvy Breakfast at the Lewises

I have so much new technology to show off, I thought I'd better add to my blog.  I've been thinking about the blog as a virtual scrapbook for the kids.  I've recorded some really fun years here; the years when they were really motivated and energetic, and so were we!  The kids will  remember 2013 as the year Robby graduated from St. Mary's and the year our house was full of iTechnology!

In 2012, both Arnie and I got iPhones. He got his through work and then we bought one for me. We bought a first generation iPad for the family following that.  Both Arnie and I also got iPads through work.  Finally, this year, the kids and Arnie bought me an iPad mini for my birthday.  I love it.

Arnie made this very cool kitchen counter stand for me. My favorite recipe apps are Epicurious and Allrecipes.  This morning, as I do on most Saturday mornings, I made pancakes! Today: Sour cream pancakes-not Mrs. Novak's banana-sour cream pancakes. We love those, too. This morning's version was a bit faster than hers. 

As usual, the kids lined up for pancakes.  Happy Saturday morning!

New Ways for the Lewises to Eat Beets

The beets were plentiful this year.

One day, I made beet chips.  Very fun and tasty.

The beet chips are beautiful, too.

  This is the recipe that I used.  It is for beets and sweet potatoes, but I only made beet chips.  The rosemary salt was really great.  I've been using it on other items, also.  Pork chops, chicken, french fries...

The Bounty of the Summer Brings Comfort

After a long, emotional 2012, the bounty of the summer garden brings a sense of comfort.  In 2011, our beloved Grandpa Bruce began to lose his fight with multiple myeloma.  During the holiday time, Thanksgiving to Christmas, we spent a lot of time at the hospitals and the nursing home, praying for Grandpa, trying to alleviate his pain, and lift his spirits.  We surrounded Grandma Sandy with our love, sending her as much strength as we could.  January 1, 2012, Grandpa went to heaven.  His passing left us sorrowful and vulnerable.  We continued to help Grandma and find solace and comfort in daily life, but the road has been twisty for us.

I definitely felt comfort planting the garden in April and May.  The bounty of the garden has reminded me of the magic of God's earth.  Sometimes when I harvest, I thank God not only for the beautiful vegetables, but for loving Grandpa and holding him close.

Many of the posts from here on will be retro posts - things I wanted to blog about, but couldn't find the motivation to complete!  I dedicate my garden posts to Bruce and Sandy; they often gave me new ideas during our discussions of the many gardens that they grew together during their 51 years together.

Hurray for Snow!

After an usually dry and mild December, the Northwest was ready for some snow.  We've had about 4 inches in the last two days. It is the best kind of snow - packable for snowballs and snow people, and slightly icy for sledding!

We found a small hill to sled down in the woods.

Our great neighbors invited us to sled down the drive way in their backyard. Steep and fun.

If you are afraid you might go over the cliff at the bottom, you can bail into the snow!

A snowy Aloha from Montesano!

Ingredients for Christmas Spirit

Beautiful Table Settings

Tree, Lights, Manger Scene

Boxes that had presents or decorations in them, sitting around for the cat to get in.