Yummy

Lemon poppy seed bread, a la Betty Crocker.
Cause I am fancy like that.

I heard one of the foody people on TV say that, as far as he was concerned, you can eat as much junk as you like as long as you make it yourself. I have been taking him up on that and snatching up easy to make baking products on my weekly grocery trips.

This particular box was for muffins, but there were instructions for adapting it for bread on the back. I think it involved just adding some extra flour and water. It turned out pretty good! Maybe not as moist as the stuff you get at the bakery, but I might have added a little too much flour. One of the best things about this product was the glaze that came with it! Even after slathering it all over the bread that was enough left over to make a lemon butter, if one so desired! Very generous of Betty!

Bonnie Springs, Part 2

Mark volunteered to...I don't know what, I wasn't really paying attention! But it involved gallows, a gun fight, and a loud boom!

Afterward the boys posed with the actors...I mean the marshall, the deputy and the outlaw.

In the old west town.

Steph and Owen after the play.

We caught the last train of the day - just in time for sunset!

You can't tell, but Remy was doing his happy dance.

Sunset at Bonnie Springs Ranch.

Bonnie Springs, Part 1

On Sunday, April 10th we all piled into two cars and drove west on Charleston, out past Red Rock Canyon, to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Nestled at the base of the mountains, with foothills to the east and Red Rock to the north, Bonnie Springs feels a million miles from the bustle of Las Vegas. For just $5 a person you have access to a petting zoo, the old west town, comedic sketches and rides on the little train (Remy's favorite part of the day!) We took so many pictures, I will have to separate them into two posts.

A little male bonding while Daddy buys the tickets.

Very friendly...and maybe a little mad.

This guy was so still you might wonder if he was dead, but when Mal tip-toed over to pet him he gave out a thunderous oink.

Sad looking little deer! I think she was imagining her happy place.

Remy: "Can we go ride the train now?!"

The place was full of noisy, aggressive peacocks. This one was perched on a building watching the action in the zoo from a safe distance.

There were also a lot of chickens.

Mountain Crest Park

Formula for a perfect Sunday:
church in the morning + Chipotle for lunch + beautiful park in the afternoon

Little Rose

Did I mention that I bought a moldy mini-rose bush at Walmart a couple of months ago? It was one of those ones that comes wrapped in colored foil, so I didn't see the mold until after I got it home an unwrapped it. It went from looking fine the day I brought it home to being half dead in a week, I thought maybe I should just throw the whole thing out or returning it and getting my $4.50 back, but instead I cut it down and transplanted what was left and this week it rewarded me with a bud! No rose smell to speak of, but oh so pretty!

Red Rock Canyon

I have been to Red Rock Canyon several times since I moved here, but the most recent visit with the Stangers was really special because it was the first time I felt confident enough in myself and in Remy to leave the overlook areas and actually do a little hiking! We used the Snuggli that used to belong to Steph and Mark, strapped that baby on, and made our way over rocks and streams into a couple of the most beautiful areas of the park. In the past Remy has not been a fan of carriers, but on this day he was so comfortable that he even slept for a while as we bumped along the rocky trail. What an awesome memory!

Down at the Pool!

Remy had his first dip in the pool while the Stangers were here. The water was so cold that the only thing dipped were his feet.

Owen, on the other hand, seemed impervious to the cold!

Remy made this face a lot. I think it means, "is this seriously your idea of a good time?"

It was all a bit much for the little buddy.

Afterward he needed some snuggles and a warm towel for his feet!

It is supposed to get up into the 90s tomorrow, it may be a good day to try again!

Notables

• The Hobbit to shoot in 48 frames per second. (Reported by EW.)
  
• A discussion of the Rob Bell/universalist controversy from Time magazine.
  
• We’re in a Bubble and It’s Not the Internet. It’s Higher Education. The title says it all.
• Hugh Grant the journalist? Not bad! The Bugger, Bugged.
• New Doctor Who trailer:
  

Cousins

The Stangers left last night to go back to Chicago after a wonderful, week-long visit. It was so fun seeing Remy interact with his cousins, Owen and Malachy, and he is looking a little lonely today without them.

April Fool's Day Photos

In the 365 Photo Project the April Fool's Day assignment was a mystery object. I picked jeweler's o rings, and put them in a glass of water because everything looks more mysterious in a glass of water! The top one is my favorite. I love the refraction of the subdivision out the window. I think I will try that again soon, only with a more interesting view!

Good Morning!

It's a warm but overcast morning in Vegas. Here is my picture for the 365 Photo Project today. The theme was still life.

What's Up

• Remy has a cold. I am pretty sure he got it at church. Oh well, he's got to build up his immune system before the real germ fest, pre-school!
• We just took the Yukon in to get the air fixed so that when we cruise around town with the Stangers next week they won't regret coming for a visit!
• In Vegas, March is not too early to need the AC. It's supposed to get into the 90s today!
• The sunsets are so much more beautiful than they were a couple of months ago. Those few degrees of movement across the sky make such a difference!
• I think I am gonna grow my bangs out...just thought you should know.
  
• Can't wait to see how Remy is going to react to his cousins! I think things are going to be very noisy around here for a while!