Disappearing Banana Bars

Source: cutthecraft.com via Heather on Pinterest

Pinterest is adding to my waistline.  I saw a picture of these delicious banana bars via Pinterest found on this blog.  Facing 3 dark bananas, I decided to give it a go. These bananas didn't even make it to the banana farm in the freezer.

This morning the picture above is what is left of all that goodness.  This recipe is a keeper.

Mini session make ahead meals

I like to have some things made ahead especially when I know I have guests coming.  Today I spent roughly an hour (probably less) doing some prep so the upcoming long weekend with guests would go more smoothly.  So, what did I make ahead,? I made teriyaki marinade, waffle mix, and yams.  I plan on using my last spiral ham this weekend that I bought on sale at Easter.  I like yams/sweet potatoes with it.  So I cubed, boiled, and mashed.  I froze in a pie pan.  All I have to do is defrost and reheat.  I also like to have waffles so I made up a double batch of the dry stuff.  All I will have to do is add the eggs, milk, and oil.  I wish I just made two more packs while I was at it.  Well, live and learn. I also marinated some Chicken with the Teriyaki sauce recipe from Fix, Freeze, Feast.  I totally heart the authors Kati and Lindsay. Their cookbook is now out in paperback!

Do you PIN?

I have a new addiction.  It is Pinterest.  Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  It lets you organize and share all the things you find on the web. IT IS REALLY ADDICTING!  So far I have two boards For the Home and Kids Crafts. The Daily Digi has a great tutorial. If you want an invite to Pinterest, leave a comment with you your email.  I'll send you an invite. I still have invites left!

Summer List

I had my kids come up with a summer list.  We already knocked a couple items off the list.  Growing garlic has to be the most interesting one.  Shopping actually refers to spending my Birthday money before it burns a hole in my pocket. I love the visual reminder the list provides. Ours isn't as pretty as some of them posted on the Internet but it is workable. Here is Meg's very pretty list. Need some more idea's check out Kimba's List.

Here is my Mommy List

keep my cool
go on a family bike ride
pitch a tent
make homemade ice cream/Popsicles
finish hot tub area
keep my temper
keep walking
go on an adventure
Find 10 geocaches this summer
Read Mr Popper's Penguins with Chuckles
go to the movies Cars 2 and Mr Popper's Penguins
work on writing and math facts with CHUCKLES
beach glass hunt

They also came up with their own rules for the summer too, interesting. They are kinda hating that they decided no electronics between 10 and 4.  Oh well, darn.  At least, I didn't come up with that rule.

Last Day of School

Finally, the longest year of school has finally ended! I think I might be more excited than my kids. Our motto/name of our band  for the school year should be, "We do hard things."

Caught - Walmart Commercial

I am not a huge Walmart fan but this commercial reminds me of my Hubby and kids. They are huge gamers both old and young. This commercial cracks me up.

Ferndale School District FAC Presentation

*****This is for my local readers.  The following are my thoughts and opinions.  I am just a parent not a teacher, administrator, or member of the FAC.

Last night, I went to a Ferndale School District Facilities Advisory Committee Meeting Presentation/Forum.  Try to say that 5 times fast.  It helped to dispel some of the rumors going around.  There were  a lot of people there.  I don't think they were quite ready to test out there presentation on so many.

Some of the recommendations that were put forth by the committee were to move 6th graders to Middle School, close a school, and adjust boundary attendance lines.  THESE are only recommendations/proposals that are being investigated.  There are number of things that would have to happened.  Mainly two levies will have to be passed.  One is an maintenance and operational levy (M&O )and the other a Capital Project Levy. Neither of those are for sure things.  Though a levy has never failed in our town but a bond has. They did have a proposed/recommended  5 year timeline. The proposals in their self need a lot more specific details to get the public on board.  I think it is tricky to show people your specifics because it also makes them more polarized if they haven't bought off on the whole proposal. I think this meeting was attempt to let people in and make them feel part of the process. Later when people get upset, they will say, " Hey, we gave you a chance to comment."

We broke into small groups to discuss the proposals.  It seems that most people were concerned with 6th graders being part of the Middle School environment.  There also was quite a bit of discussion on current class sizes which in many schools is quite large already. There were also voiced concerns about transition.  The need to know well in advance. I sat with parents from Skyline, Cascasdia, and Vista Middle School. When met back as a large group, the discussion centered around  6th graders moving to Middle School in 2012-2013 school year. The overall feeling in my opinion was that parents didn't want their 6th graders in a Middle School environment.  There were have to be an overwhelming academic argument I believe to convince most of the parents to go for this proposal of putting their 6th graders in Middle School.  At least, that is the feeling I got from the meeting. Someone expressed that is the main reason they chose Ferndale School District was that 6th graders were in Elementary School.  They felt this added value to Ferndale. Ferndale is the only district that doesn't include 6th graders in their Middle School. I should preface that most of the parents didn't seem opposed to having 6th graders on their own campus or 6th/7th together.The Superintendent of Schools, Linda Quinn emphasized that there was a trade off for small elementary schools and that was larger class sizes.  Though one would be led to believe that larger schools don't have small class sizes either. This was never voiced. She said that numerous times that there would be a trade off. In addition, closing a school would allow the district to keep more teacher and save programs. Some felt that the proposals were being presented as a done deal.

****I did not stay for the entire discussion in part because we seemed to be basically rehashing the proposal that left a lot of gaps.I was there for a  1 1/2 hrs. These were the main unanswered questions - when does a decision needed to be made, is it  really cost effective, what school would need to be closed, what boundary would need to be changed and numerous other details. I don't believe the committee or the board are ready to make those specific decisions.  Talking in generalities just left me feeling that the discussion would never end.

Top 10 Crafts of the School Year

School is finally ending here for the year this week. These crafts were a hit during the school year with my morning crew - 2 boys and 1 girl. In general these are the crafts that they all enjoyed. This is my first time joining on OH AMANDA Top 10 list. Check it out.

Skeletons

Haunted Houses (oldie but goodie)

Squirrels

Dough Turkey's

Wire Hearts

Penguins

Pot of Gold Suncatcher

Seahorse

Beaded Flower Necklace

Beaded Lizard



To MY favorite Guys

Top Picture - My Hubby and My Dad  Bottom Picture - Pappy at the Nutcracker 2008

Happy Father's Day to my DAD and my Hubby and to Pappy, my husband's Grandfather. I hope you all have an awesome Father's Day. 

Purrfect Rag Quilt

IT has been a while since I made a rag quilt.  This one was a struggle mainly because of me and my attitude.  Everything they say about your attitude and it effecting the quality of your work is true. About every wrong thing happened in the construction of this quilt but I fixed it.I have a negative feeling toward the recipient but I was able to overcome it.  Because it was right thing to do!

Line Design Art

My Line Design

I gave this line drawing a shot.  I think it turned out really neat.  It reminds me of zen tangle, too. I found it kind of a meditative project.  Here are some examples Teach Kids Art and  The Art Teacher's Closet and Art with Mr E. The only materials needed are a piece of white paper, colored pencils and a sharpie. I love that! I couldn't convince my the kids to make their own but they did color in some I had made.  They all are 3rd grade and younger.  I think this is probably a project for 4th grade and above. Someone on another blog called these Dr Seuss Tornado Worms.  I think that fits. 

The Diva in chipmunk hat coloring one in.

Get OUT

Can you spot all 4 kids?

Get outdoors!  My kids have been begging me to take them to a school playground not far from our house.  What is it that makes the school playground behind our house less attractive?  We took our neighbors with us.  They set off down the hill on their bikes.  I walked/jogged trying to keep up.  It was a real treat to go up the hill on the way back, let me tell you. Once again, I was reminded sometimes we just need to get out.  The adventure doesn't have to be far away as long as there is adventure.

This is how we Roll!

This is how you know you have been too long at the Hardware Store with your kids!

Book it 2011 JUNE

Please check out what the ladies are reading at Life as Mom. I picked up The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell off the hot reads shelf at the library. I think the hot read shelf at the library is going to be the death of me. Quite honestly, I wanted to get this book but it just left me saying HUH. Check out this review at Book Club Queen. She sums it up pretty well.

OK, I admit it I am fascinated by the Amish and Polygamists. I don't want to be either but I am intrigued by their lifestyle choices. I read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. The 19th wife has two plot lines going. One is the real life story of Ann Eliza Young the 19th(maybe) wife of Brigham Young and a contemporary story line about another 19th wife and murder of her husband. I thought the actual plot line involving Ann Eliza Young was the stronger of the two. The story of Ann Eliza Young was riveting true story itself as she was Brigham Young's 19th wife and she went on to divorce him. She actually was instrumental in getting the US Government and the Church of Latter Day Saints to outlaw polygamy.

I also read Those who Save Us by Jenna Blum. I had a hard time putting this down. Yes, it is graphic in some parts. The story is about Trudy, History Professor, and her German Mom. Trudy's Mom left Germany after WWII by marrying a American Soldier.  While conducting interviews for a project, Trudy discovers some mysteries about her Mom's past and hers as well.  In some ways it reminded me about Sarah's Key by T De Rosnay. (review here)

Spray Park

Chuckles 2008

In Bellingham, there are two spray parks Fairhaven and Cornwall Park both are set to open on the 18th of June. The hours every year get a little less.  The hours for this year are 1pm to 7 pm.  I know the Two Man Wrecking Crew are looking forward to running amok through the spray.

Dot Painting

The Diva and I made Australian Dot Art today.  The project is found at For The Love Of Art. The Diva did hers on black paper and I did mine on blue paper.  I think the black pops better.  We used Q-tips dipped in paint to make our dots. 

Scottish Highland Games

I think I should of  labeled this post, " Kilts, Bagpipes, Drums, Dancers  OH MY."  Yesterday, we went to the Bellingham Scottish Highland Games.  It was the first time we had ever gone despite living here for 7 years.  This is a little more than I like to spend on a festival.  It is $13 for adults and $10 for kids.  I think that admission does cover the entire 3 days. We couldn't have asked for a better day - sunny and 70 degrees.  I loved the bands of bagpipes and drummers.  IT was awesome. My kids got to see their first Rugby game.  The kids also enjoyed searching for nessie eggs which were baby watermelons which turned in for prizes.  That was probably the highlight for them.  They just weren't in to this festival. I could of stayed all day listened to the music.