Fresh Raspberries

We have been enjoying raspberries freshly picked from our yard!
Yumm!

We put the raspberries in an even layer on a cookies sheet to freeze, then transfer them to freezer bags for later.

Today we made raspberry smoothies.

We used:

1/4 - 1/3 c. frozen raspberries
1/3 frozen banana**
1 Tbs. sugar
1 c. water
1/4 c. vanilla yogurt

Put in blender and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!

** Banana is a great natural sweetener. When our bananas get too ripe we peel them, break into thirds, put in freezer baggies, and freeze for later use.



I put this recipe on The Recipe Box too.

Batter Blaster with Bash and "Z"

Cheese!....I mean....Pancakes!!!





We finally got around to making our Batter Blaster.

It was neat. The Batter Blaster came out sort of swirly like whipped cream, but thicker like pancake mix and quickly settled down flat like a normal pancake.



The pancakes tasted OK, but were not as fluffy as I like.

The following day we were frying taco shells. The kids said they tasted like elephant ears and asked to put cinnamon sugar on them. That gave me the idea that if I deep fried the Batter Blaster it would really be like the elephant ears at the county fair.

I was right! When I sprayed the Batter Blaster in a swirly pattern and fried it in the hot oil and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, the results were delicious! Yum!

Bashin and "Z" battling for the Batter Blaster.

Bashin spraying Batter Blaster.

Bash cooking

"Z" spraying Batter Blaster.

"Z" spraying Batter Blaster.

Bash sampling the batter....just kidding. Jessica warned us not to eat it raw.

"Z" cooking

a pancake

"Bash gives them a thumbs up.

"Z" eating

See food!

Deep fried Batter Blaster tastes like elephant ears! Just add cinnamon sugar.

NCIS, TV, Movies, and Learning?

Bash and I enjoy watching NCIS. In the show, Tony DiNozzo often uses things he has seen in movies as references to real life experiences. Ziva David often teases him about this and states that she prefers reading over movies.

In one episode, Tony figures out that Ziva has been watching movies. He finds a movie list she got from the library or somewhere. Her explanation was that she was watching these movies to help her better learn about and understand American colloquialisms. If I remember right it was a list of 100 movies every person should see.

I have two reasons for sharing this observation.

1. I am considering picking out a list of 100 must see movies and watching them. That should be fun and interesting.

and

2. I think TV and movies are great learning tools. My boyz and I often find that things we learned from television broaden our knowledge of the world around us and how things work. TV also exposes us to things we may never be exposed to any other way, which allows us to pursue an interest we may not have had without the TV.

This episode of NCIS revealed another positive aspect of TV and movies. TV and movies help us understand how certain terminology, phrases and jokes came to be and give deeper meaning to the things we hear and read. TV and movies broaden our cultural knowledge and our brain knowledge.




Disclaimer: I think that TV and movies are great tools, but, I do not believe that sitting in front of the TV and never experiencing life is good either. No single activity should be the only thing a person does. Every person should enjoy a variety of activities for a well balanced life.

Sophia's Saponata Trunk Show TODAY!!!

Don't forget!

Today, Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

with Vintage Bella and The Queen of Re.

Go visit at 8399 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.




If you have to miss it you can get your goodies and learn more at:
Sicilian Sophia's Saponata's blog
and
Sophia's Saponata's Etsy store

Today Is Learn Nothing Day- Can You Learn Nothing Today?

Since it is Learn Nothing Day and the goal is to learn absolutely nothing all day I will be avoiding the computer and TV and books. I wonder if I will even be able to get out of bed without learning something....


What is Learn Nothing Day?
Here's the deal:

Unschoolers need a holiday.
When people ask if they homeschool in the summer, they say yes. When people ask when they have a break from learning, they say never.

This has gone on for a long time now.

July 24 is Learn Nothing Day—a vacation for unschoolers.

Learn Nothing Day is void in Utah, and people in Utah will know why.
Special dispensation for Utah unschoolers: Learn Nothing could be celebrated in Utah on July 25.



Quotes from previous Learn Nothing Day:

"I just can't learn nothing, it's impossible, even with my old, feeble brain. I turned on the computer and was assaulted with all sorts of information. Imagine how hard it will be for the girls with their sharp, shiny new brains."
-Flo Gascon


"I just love Learn Nothing Day! My 5 year old said to me today, 'Mom is that possible.... to have a day where we don't learn something?' ;) "
-side note from Vickie Harkness



For more information on Learn Nothing Day go to
http://sandradodd.com/learnnothingday/2008

Did you learn nothing today?

Sophia's Saponata

Their first trunk show will take place on Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
with Vintage Bella and The Queen of Re.
Come visit at 8399 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.



Sicilian Sophia's Saponata's blog reads:

We offer our hand made, hand cut castile soaps in the tradition of old world Sicily.

These great soaps come in a dozen colors and fragrances straight from nature--Almond, Lime, Rose, Lavender, Spearmint, Clove, Juniper, Orange, Wintergreen, Tangerine, Bergamot, Lemon.




And Sophia's Saponata's Etsy store states:

Our hand-cut soap bars don’t promise perfection in size and shape, but we do promise at least two ounces of pure rustic Sicilian pleasure. We are only two people, and we work with fundamental tools and dedication. Our standard is quality and sincerity, and not the store-bought precision you can find at your supermarket every day.

Each bar of Sophia's Saponata is tissue wrapped and labeled. Gifts may be accompanied by a gift card on request. Sophia offers 12 natural fragrances derived from pure ingredients, including the finest essential oils.





I love these soaps! I am currently using Lime in one bathroom and Lavender in the other. They are so pretty to look at that I almost don't want to use them, but they smell so nice I can't resist!



These photos from her store are so lovely that I could not pick just one. So, as usual, I decided to over-do it and have too many pictures.



You will have to suffer through today's blog visit, wishing you had some of these soaps for yourself.




Don't worry.





You can stop by Saturday's trunk show in Swartz Creek to purchase your own

or online at Sophia's Saponata to have them delivered to your door.

Oops! Ron Arrived in NY on Sunday

Walking on Broadway earlier today. :-)
-Ronald, via text and picture message


Ronald called today. He was able to get out and see a bit of New York. It was great to be able to talk with him. The boyz talked with him a bit too.

He said that he was able to look at my blog, and that the USS Mahan did not pull into New York until Sunday. Oops. I put a correction on that blog. I am glad he told me. I hate giving bad information.


Ron sent the photo above via text message with the caption, "Walking on Broadway earlier today. :-)"

He will send pics when he can, and when he does I will share some here.

Get Ready For Learn Nothing Day - July 24

It's difficult to learn nothing, so begin preparing today!



Unschoolers need a holiday.
When people ask if they homeschool in the summer, they say yes. When people ask when they have a break from learning, they say never.

This has gone on for a long time now.

July 24 is Learn Nothing Day—a vacation for unschoolers.

Learn Nothing Day is void in Utah, and people in Utah will know why.
Special dispensation for Utah unschoolers: Learn Nothing could be celebrated in Utah on July 25.




"I just can't learn nothing, it's impossible, even with my old, feeble brain. I turned on the computer and was assaulted with all sorts of information. Imagine how hard it will be for the girls with their sharp, shiny new brains."
-Flo Gascon


"I just love Learn Nothing Day! My 5 year old said to me today, 'Mom is that possible.... to have a day where we don't learn something?' ;) "
-side note from Vickie Harkness



For more information on Learn Nothing Day go to
http://sandradodd.com/learnnothingday/2008

USS Mahan, HMAS Sydney, and HMAS Ballarat in New York

The Australian naval frigate HMAS Ballarat, right,
is greeted by a fire boat as it enters New York Harbour.
Photo: AP Photo/Craig Ruttle


Correction - Ronald did not pull into New York until Sunday. I misunderstood. Sorry about the misinformation. -Kathryn 07.22.09

Ronald was in New York on the USS Mahan this weekend.

www.earthcam.com has more pics and time lapse photos of its arrival.
Check it out here http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/intrepid/




Here's the story (found at www.navy.mil ):

U.S., Australia Strengthen Partnership During New York Visit
By Lt. Cmdr. Colette Murphy, Navy Office of Information, East

NEW YORK (NNS) -- USS Mahan (DDG 72) escorted two Royal Australian frigates, HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) and HMAS Ballarat (FFG 155), to New York City's harbor July 19 as part of operation Northern Trident (NT09).

More than 400 Australian and nearly 300 American Sailors will be in the city for a four-day visit.

NT09 is a six-month international deployment of the two Australian ships visiting ports in selected North American, Western European and West and North Asian countries.

The Australian ships are scheduled to visit the U.S. ports of New York, Baltimore and Norfolk in reciprocation for the U.S. Navy's "Great White Fleet" celebrations in Australia in 2008. In fact, former President Theodore Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet" around-the-world tour was the inspiration for Operation Northern Trident.

The guided-missile destroyer Mahan met the Australian ships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the two navies conducted combined operations during the transit to New York, showcasing interoperability and both countries' commitment to the global maritime strategy of cooperation.

"Whenever we conduct exercises with one of our allies, we both learn from each other, and it makes the alliance that much stronger," said Steve Murphy, Mahan's commanding officer.

The three ships will open for public tours July 21. Sydney and Ballarat will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Mahan will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.








Australian Navy warships HMAS Sydney, front, and HMAS Ballarat sail up the Hudson River as they arrive in New York. The ships will berth in New York from July 19-22 to reciprocate the 2008 Great White Fleet centennial celebrations, when the USS Shoup and the USS John S McCain visited Australian shores. Photo: AP Photo/ Trevor Collens


Australian Navy warship HMAS Sydney sails past the Statue of Liberty as it arrives in New York harbor. Photo: AP Photo/Trevor Collens




Two Australian Navy warships, the HMAS Sydney (C) and HMAS Ballarat (rear) arrive in New York harbor accompanied by United States Navy warship USS Mahan (top). Photo: REUTERS/Trevor Collens


The Australian Navy warship HMAS Sydney (foreground) arrives in New York Harbor. Photo: REUTERS/Trevor Collens


Two Australian Navy warships, the HMAS Sydney (front) and HMAS Ballarat arrive in New York Harbor. Photo: REUTERS/Trevor Collens



Two Australian Navy warships, the HMAS Sydney (front) and HMAS Ballarat arrive in New York harbor. Photo: REUTERS/Trevor Collens





Pics came from http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/national/australian-navy-warships-arrive-in-new-york-city/20090720-dpu7.html?selectedImage=0.

USS Mahan in New York

Ronald was in New York this weekend! I wonder if he is in this photo.
My internet friend, Robert Ratliff, posted this on my faceobook wall last night. His son was on the USS Mahan also. Thanks Robert!





Robert Ratliff says, “you gotta love this photo of the sailors aboard the USS Mahan being welcomed to New York on July 19 by a fireboat spraying water colored Red, White and Blue.”

View live photos via a webcam at http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/intrepid/ and select Cam 2.

The Boyz Are Finally Home!

They visited their father for two weeks.
They spent most of their time camping, fishing, boating, and having lots of fun.
Today they invited friends over, put up the tent, and built a bonfire.
The fun continues!

USS Mahan Will Be In New York This Weekend

Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. (RELEASED)
Find it at: http://www.news.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=1391




New York Post says:

If you notice 400 Australians strolling about Times Square this coming weekend, don't just give them a friendly "G'day, mate" -- snap off a nice, stiff naval salute.

The Aussies will be sailors from the HMAS Sydney and the HMAS Ballarat, in town from July 19 to July 22.

They will be marking Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet visit of 1908-09, which flexed American naval muscle during a worldwide voyage.

The two frigates will be escorted into town by the USS Mahan on July 19, cruising past the Statue of Liberty before berthing at Pier 88 beside the Intrepid.

"It's actually the first time Australian ships will be docked in Manhattan," said Australian Consulate spokeswoman Michelle Lee.

The two vessels will allow the public on board from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 21.




This article can be found by following this link:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07132009/news/regionalnews/citys_gday_to_aussie_navy_ships_178928.htm




Yes...I have used the photo of USS Mahan (DDG-72)before.
I love it! It is so unique and beautiful that I want to share it again.

Too, Too Cute! Ronald and Jessica

Thanks again for the pics Jessica!

Ron and Jessica at the Beach

Jessica said that the flash was too bright. I'm glad she posted it anyhow.

Notice that Ron is wearing Jessica's pins that say "super rad". I love it!

Thanks, Jessica, for the pics!

Our Puppies

Abby and Heidi

Heidi

Heidi, Abby, Mercy (Mercedes)

Abby and Heidi

View From My Front Porch

The clouds are beautiful today.