I made this recipe up tonight to put on some mild, white fish, to take advantage of the fresh peaches we bought from Costco. It was a hit! Here is the recipe:
2 fresh peaches, peeled and diced (you could probably use fresh frozen ones too--thawed)
1 large stalk of celery, diced small
2 - 3 green onions, sliced thin and small
1/2 tsp dried basil
2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 - 2 tsp sugar
Put the peaches, celery, onions in a bowl. Mash peaches with fork or pastry blender and blend the mixture. Add the vinegar, sugar and sprinkle the dried basil onto the mixture (crushing it between your fingers as you add it). Mix everything together. Let sit at least 10 minutes before using, to allow sugar to do its thing, or put in the fridge covered for several hours. Mix again before using.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Camping Success
We got back late tonight from a camping adventure with the kids. We left town Saturday afternoon, stayed camp site #6, loop C at Lakeview Campground at Twin Lakes. We had a dinner of cous cous and canned salmon with feta, tomatoes, black olives and Greek spices (my favorite spice mixture). We could not light a fire so we ate marshmallows along with some chocoloate in the tent. Yum.
Axel's first trip - he was a real champ. Just waking up here and there if he was too hot or too cold. It was 104 degrees in town and probably in the 80's and 90's we were, so the tent was a bit hot at the beginning of the night. Luka slept the whole night through in his own little sleeping bag. They both liked playing in the tent and around the camp site.
We also went biking with them in the Chariot (bike attachment). That worked very well and it was very comfortable for them. It is familar and they are used to it now too--their little place to sit when we go on adventures. We biked up to a lake above us and did some "fishing" with Luka's fishing pole. He can cast by himself! I can't believe it. I showed him how when we went to Echo Lake and he remembered from that! I was really impressed. It took me longer to learn how to do it than it took him!
Axel had fun too. He had a new safari/monkey hat to protect him from the sun. And, he liked exploring pine cones (trying to eat them), playing in the dirt (grabbing it while reaching from inside the tent), and other fun stuff.
We ate lunch at Erin something picnic grounds at Turquoise Lake outside Leadville. Nice set up there with water available and nice toilets, and good view of the lake, but a lot of bugs (mosquitos).
Then, we did our big bike trip, riding from Copper to Breckenride. About 16 miles. The kids did great and we both had fun, with Reynald pulling the kids.
Reynald had to go back and get the car while the kids and I ate at Kenosha BBQ in Breck and Luka beat Mommy at horseshoes. :)
Axel's first trip - he was a real champ. Just waking up here and there if he was too hot or too cold. It was 104 degrees in town and probably in the 80's and 90's we were, so the tent was a bit hot at the beginning of the night. Luka slept the whole night through in his own little sleeping bag. They both liked playing in the tent and around the camp site.
We also went biking with them in the Chariot (bike attachment). That worked very well and it was very comfortable for them. It is familar and they are used to it now too--their little place to sit when we go on adventures. We biked up to a lake above us and did some "fishing" with Luka's fishing pole. He can cast by himself! I can't believe it. I showed him how when we went to Echo Lake and he remembered from that! I was really impressed. It took me longer to learn how to do it than it took him!
Axel had fun too. He had a new safari/monkey hat to protect him from the sun. And, he liked exploring pine cones (trying to eat them), playing in the dirt (grabbing it while reaching from inside the tent), and other fun stuff.
We ate lunch at Erin something picnic grounds at Turquoise Lake outside Leadville. Nice set up there with water available and nice toilets, and good view of the lake, but a lot of bugs (mosquitos).
Then, we did our big bike trip, riding from Copper to Breckenride. About 16 miles. The kids did great and we both had fun, with Reynald pulling the kids.
Reynald had to go back and get the car while the kids and I ate at Kenosha BBQ in Breck and Luka beat Mommy at horseshoes. :)
Luka, Mommy and Axel at the camp table after out dinner (that is not our tent behind, but the campers next to us).
Axel in our tent (through bug screen)
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Axel: new word!
Axel said "done" very clearly for his lunch, after he was done chewing and wanted more. It is so fun to see what words babies pick out as important to them. "Done!"
Interesting article on Code Switching between Languages
Interesting article on what is called "code switching" between languages - what we call "mixing the languages," by bilinguals.
http://hamminkj.cafeprogressive.com/CS_paper.htm
Interesting explanation of different types of code switching (that stuff we do sometimes actually has a specific name and had been studied!).
http://hamminkj.cafeprogressive.com/CS_paper.htm
Interesting explanation of different types of code switching (that stuff we do sometimes actually has a specific name and had been studied!).
Using Skype for International Family Contact
We have been using Skype since last fall to talk with Reynald's parents in France, and now are using the newest version so that we get both voice and video, for free. It is free if you call "computer" to "computer". It is really awesome to be able to have them see the kids, and vice versa. Luka loves to show them things he has done at school, his toys, his boo-boos, etc. He loves to see them too.
The Internet is an awesome tool for things like this. I wonder what we will think of today's technology 10 years from today, but for now, it works wonders and is, in fact, better for this kind of (family) contact than the regular old telephone.
For more info on Skype, check out their website:
www.skype.com
The Internet is an awesome tool for things like this. I wonder what we will think of today's technology 10 years from today, but for now, it works wonders and is, in fact, better for this kind of (family) contact than the regular old telephone.
For more info on Skype, check out their website:
www.skype.com
Axel is really crawling now!
Axel is really crawling now.... He is now going forward on all fours (as opposed to just backwards). Go, Axel! Luka never crawled that way, so that is interesting to see the differnces between them. Luka did the special forces crawl (lay on the ground, push with one bent leg, pull with one arm). He may have crawled on all fours one day that I recall, and then went back to his (for him) more effiicient army crawl.
French TV
We finally got the French TV channel available in the US installed! It took us years...! But, they have a deal for free installation and first three months free. We got it yesterday (satellite dish). Youpi (as the French say). It is mostly documentataries, movies, French talk shows, but some kid shows. I plan to get a DVD recorder, so we can keep some of the stuff to watch when we have time. Fun, fun!
For more info on the French channel in the US, go to:
http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/usa/index.php
For more info on the French channel in the US, go to:
http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/usa/index.php
Friday, July 21, 2006
Axel word update
Today, in the morning as Reynald was leaving for work, Luka said, "Papa," and then Axel said, very clearly, "Papa." Luka said, "Hey, Axel said 'Papa'!" I thought so too - so I told Reynald as he hopped in the car to get to the office. Yay, Axel!
Axel has had a high temperature the last few days (up to 102.6 under his arm yesterday), but was still a happy little man and the doctor said he should be okay. We are just keeping an eye out, but looks like he is out of the woods now.
Axel has had a high temperature the last few days (up to 102.6 under his arm yesterday), but was still a happy little man and the doctor said he should be okay. We are just keeping an eye out, but looks like he is out of the woods now.
VBS & Recipe: Coconut Date Nut Balls
Luka and I went to Weekend Vacation Bible School at the church tonight. It takes place Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings. They had a really nice program with lots of activities, as if we were living in Bethlehem. Luka sang songs, played games, made a candle, sampled food from Bibliccal times, helped make candy, made a pottery bowl, and other fun stuff. He is in the Judah tribe.
For the candy, the kids hand-ground (with a table-attached, old-fashioned grinder) dates and walnuts together--like they may have done in Biblical times. Luka had a good time doing that. Then, the adult in charge of that station completed the "candy" balls that Biblical people may have eaten. It was from this recipe below and it was yum!
Coconut Date Nut Balls
[updated 12/19/2008]
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (or more to taste - to make mixture a little less sticky)
1-1/2 cups pitted, dried dates
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted and cooled (I used unsweetened, and did not toast it and it was
good) and more for rolling
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine (I used 1 cup)
dash of orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
First, in a food processor, mix graham cracker crumbs, dates, coconut, the honey and just a dash of organge juice, until just combined. Add the nuts and blend till mixture forms a ball. Remove from working bowl.
Second, roll out mixture into small balls, roll balls in remaining coconut to coat. Store in an air tight container. Makes approximately 32 balls.
Note that this recipe is forgiving with the proportions; you can fudge the portions a bit to emphasize what you like best.
For the candy, the kids hand-ground (with a table-attached, old-fashioned grinder) dates and walnuts together--like they may have done in Biblical times. Luka had a good time doing that. Then, the adult in charge of that station completed the "candy" balls that Biblical people may have eaten. It was from this recipe below and it was yum!
Coconut Date Nut Balls
[updated 12/19/2008]
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (or more to taste - to make mixture a little less sticky)
1-1/2 cups pitted, dried dates
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted and cooled (I used unsweetened, and did not toast it and it was
good) and more for rolling
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine (I used 1 cup)
dash of orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
First, in a food processor, mix graham cracker crumbs, dates, coconut, the honey and just a dash of organge juice, until just combined. Add the nuts and blend till mixture forms a ball. Remove from working bowl.
Second, roll out mixture into small balls, roll balls in remaining coconut to coat. Store in an air tight container. Makes approximately 32 balls.
Note that this recipe is forgiving with the proportions; you can fudge the portions a bit to emphasize what you like best.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Axel: Bananas & Luka: Fishing
Today we came to the conclusion that Axel's first word (besides Mamamamamamamamam and Dadadadadadadadadadadada) is "banana". He eats A LOT of bananas. And, today, he said "nanna" very clearly. Got get him saying it the French way. ;) We think he said it the other day. We think he is saying other things too, but we have not figured it out yet. I am wondering if "nanna" referes to bananas or any food. Right now, I think it means bananas...
Luka "went fishin'" today with his Scooby Doo fishing pole with us at Echo Lake, on the road to Mt. Evans. He also casted a few times almost by himself. Very impressive! He then did his own version of casting that made him happy too....loosen the line, let the ball drop, click it to stop reeling out, flick the ball out in the water, reel it in. No fishies biting (no hook! but he doesn't know that part is required), but he said we will get some next time!
Luka "went fishin'" today with his Scooby Doo fishing pole with us at Echo Lake, on the road to Mt. Evans. He also casted a few times almost by himself. Very impressive! He then did his own version of casting that made him happy too....loosen the line, let the ball drop, click it to stop reeling out, flick the ball out in the water, reel it in. No fishies biting (no hook! but he doesn't know that part is required), but he said we will get some next time!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Axel is starting to crawl
Axel, like Luka was, is a "late" crawler. He has been happy sitting, though, and kind of "spinning" around to where he needs to go, within a small area. But, he just started getting on all fours and rocking back and forth. Go, Axel, go! He also has started crawling--backwards! He pushes himself backwards with his hands. He really gets going on our hardwood floors. He has ended up in the corner of our dining area, and almost under the dresser in Reynald's and my room. He will be cookin' along before we know it! Will post a video of him doing his thing soon.
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