...Exploring West Virginia...the Criel Burial Mound...

...Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous Spring day... ...so we decided sort of on the spur of the moment to visit the Criel Burial Mound... ...the mound and the clear blue sky... ...Scout wasted no time at all... ...climbing to the top before we had even read all the signs... ...I left this one large so you could read it...the Adena culture is fascinating... ...signs on the site...Ancient Culture... ...culture unearthed... ...Mound Builders... ...Trade and Technology... ...stairs to the top of the mound... ...the top of the mound...there's nothing up there... ...the view from the top... ...a neat shadow... ...steps on the other side...there are two sets of stairs that wind up each side and meet at the top... ...the statue at the entrance... ...Burial Attendants... ...the marker... ...the fountain... ...a Joyce Kilmer quote...placed by a Boy Scout Troup... ...a final view of the mound...

...it was a lot of fun...and we learned a lot too...I'll show you the Interpretive Center tomorrow...

~Have a lovely day!

...a spring concert...

...I've been having some technical difficulty uploading videos...again... ...I don't normally do a post on Sunday...

...but since I've already told the grandmas about Scout's Spring Concert...I figured I'd better get a post up with some video for them... ...the concert was wonderful...and the acoustics in the Clay Center are outstanding... ...this is my version of their formal portrait...we'll get an official (frameworthy) version from the photographer later...

...I hope the video works for y'all...I can't see it on my side...I'll have to try it from the laptop...

~Have a lovely day!

...Carrots as Candy...

...another movie night...and another popcorn alternative...

...or addition as the case may be...as we most certainly had popcorn too... ...but we love this snack eaten out of hand...like green beans...and okra...

...just simple roasted carrots...

...and I do mean simple...we just put sliced carrots in the oven at 425°... ...and let the heat do it's carmelization magic...

~Wishing you a lovely start to your weekend!

...Kairos cookies...

...our Jr. High Youth group got together to bake cookies for the Kairos Prison Ministry...

...other examples of this awesome group here...here...and here... ...they baked bagged and labeled 21 dozen cookies...that's a lot of cookies!

...bless their giving hearts...

~Have a lovely day!

...How to make simple button cuff links...W.I.P. Wednesday...

...my sweet sister sent me a hand me down shirt that happens to have french cuffs... ...it's really cute and matches my khakis...and I love the french cuff with the striped side out...which is actually the inside of the cuff...but I like it turned under so it shows instead of turned up like it's supposed to be...I suppose the striped cuff would still 'peak' out either way... ...remember way back when I got these buttons at a Church Basement Sale in North Dakota...

...well they were still in my sewing box...still on their card...just waiting for the perfect little project...

...and here it is... ...I simply took a piece of yarn...and threaded it up and out of the two buttons so that the two threads ended up in the middle of this little button sandwich... ...and leaving enough room for the cuff in between the two buttons I tied the two threads securely... ...and then buttoned up my cuff with them... ...French cuffs are so cute!...n'est-ce pas?

~Have a lovely day!

...so very sad...

...I was so shocked and saddened to hear about the bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday...

...words fail...

...Peace be with you all...

...Rooted Vegan...WINNER!...

I was recently the WINNER of a huge giveaway over at Rooted Vegan...

...I was beyond thrilled...this fairly new blog is the collaboration of Maria...a long time internet friend who blogs at Little Things are Big...and Kate a chef/writer and a new vegan... ...here's the huge box of goodies... ...a better photo of the contents of the box...

...our favorites so far...the vegan jerky - I've made vegan jerky before...this was super convenient and good...(jerky 1...and jerky 2)

...split peas and flax seed I use all the time...we all can't wait to try the BBQ sauce...and I want to use my new little molds for the Vegan 'Jello'... ...there was so much goodness in this box...and I loved all the little stamps on the outside... ...the Man once said when I got a nice package in the mail from one of my internet friends...that...'You vegans sure are nice to each other'... ...and it's most certainly true...

...so if you're not already a follower of ...you should hop over there and follow...it's awesome!

Thanks so much Maria and Kate!

...Olive Focaccia Bread...

...If you love olives...you have got to try this bread... ...pretty simple and really delicious...

...it's from the Joy of Vegan Baking... ...start with some yeast in some water...until it gets foamy... ...mix it into some flour... ...knead... ...chop up some olives... ...add some sundried tomatoes... ...cover... ...and let rise until doubled... ...the dough is amazing... ...spread it on an oiled pan... ...cover with plastic wrap... ...and let it rise again... ...bake it... ...and enjoy...

...it's so light and crispy...really really good...

...what have you been baking lately?...

~Have a lovely weekend!