Fourth of July

A little delayed in posting this due to a little sickness over here, but we sure enjoyed our visit with Aunt Debbie on the Fourth!  The decorations were very festive, the food was great, and the little sprinkler Aunt Debbie got for the kids added to the fun!  We could even see the fireworks from her driveway, so no need to fight crowds!  Thank you, Aunt Debbie for a great night!

fun in the sprinkler

I always like to pour!

This is so much fun!

Patient Ellie sharing her food with Stella as usual - someone else's food always looks better :)

Jonathan enjoying Aunt Debbie's pasta salad!

Aunt Debbie and Caden

Ellie eating some of Aunt Debbie's cake

Roland a little sick with a cold but enjoying the festivities!

Becoming Self-Sufficient (or at least trying)

Michael and I have been trying to find ways to be 1)more self-sufficient and 2)less wasteful when cooking and eating.  So, we've done some things to try to accomplish those goals.


We've planted a small garden with tomatoes, jalapenos, parsley and basil and with Michael's ingenuity used our worn out trampoline frame as a way to grow hops!  Although we haven't actually planted hops yet, Michael is optimistic that we can grow our own hops and use the trampoline frame as a support for them once they begin growing.  The other idea is to use burlap on the frame to cover the vegetables in the heat of the day this summer (especially August).  Either way, it saved the earth from a little less garbage (the trampoline frame) for now anyway :)


Another thing we are doing and have been doing is composting (for several years now).  We would always throw the spent grain from each batch of beer into our compost bin and be on our way, but have just very recently found out that you can cook with spent grains!  So, with this last batch of beer, we were able to make chocolate chip cookies, a rhubarb pie (the crust was from spent grain), and crackers.  It was all very tasty!  We are now on the hunt for more spent grain recipes in order to utilize this stuff to the max rather than waste any of it.  



A few pics:

See the potential for that trampoline frame?  Hopefully hops will soon be growing!

Watering the new garden

Stella watering the compost

Maybe the Three Little Pigs will help the garden grow!

Always finding an opportunity to pose for a photo...future model maybe? :)

One finished box

Look at that rich compost from our bin!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

We celebrated Michael's 43rd birthday by brewing a batch of beer, relaxing at home, and drinking one of his favorite brand's of beer - Dogfish Head (strange name, huh?).  His "69" Camaro shirt was a gift from his brother, Mark :)  The cupcakes were homemade by Ellie. 

Brewing an extra large batch of beer

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Dad is happy with his birthday gift - Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA Beer!