It Looked Like A Good Idea

Tony decided to play hookie today, so we took the entire family downtown. We ate lunch in Canton and then went down to the Inner Harbor to ride the paddle boats.

Waiting to board the dragon boats...it was boys in one, girls in another.

Life is still good...pulling away from the dock.

The life jackets sure are hot.

At least Tony could take a work call while getting paddled around...do you think the person he was talking to had any idea where he was? Gotta love the mobile office.

It was hot, it was hard work and Ammy summed it up when she said, "It looks like so much fun, but once you get out there, you hate it."

Um, Yeah. She's so right!

A New Pet?

We keep finding these lovely toads in our yard. Thankfully, no one in my house will go near them...in fact, the three youngest run away any time they are around!

She/He is kinda cute...from a distance.

Waverly Farmers' Market

Tristan's girlfriend works at the local farmers' market on the weekends so we decided to go visit her today. It's been a long time since I've been and I realize that I've been missing out.

There are some really cool booths like this one, Wheely Good Smoothies.

I like the bicycle wheel above the menu.

Even better is that the blender is attached to a bicycle. You order a smoothie and then you get on the bike and pedal to blend it. For 50 cents extra, they will pedal for you! I can't wait to get the twins on the bikes!

And, there's great people watching. In the background of this picture you will notice that the woman is pumping up her truck tire with a bicycle pump. Wasn't working too well for her, but it was entertaining for those of us watching her.

I'm looking forward to going back next week...and to eating the beet salad with goat cheese that I am making with the beets I got from Gardeners' Gourmet.

American Idol

I have been going to the American Idol concert every summer since Season Five (Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee, Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, etc.) Three years ago when we went, we stayed after the show and got autographs. We have stayed every year since then.

This year we decided to make shirts that the girls could get signed. We used the freezer paper stencil method along with fabric paint and glitter.

We went to Sabatino's in Little Italy for dinner before the show.

Everyone was very excited to see the show.

After the show we waited outside for autographs. Here are the girls with Tim Urban.

The winner, Lee DeWyze, signing Allie's shirt.

Crystal Bowersox signing Gabby's shirt.

The gang with Casey James.

Ammy's favorite, Big Mike, signing her shirt. He also gave her a huge hug! (Her life is now complete!)

Everyone with Big Mike.

We had a great night!

Guess Where We Went Last Night

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Last week, a girl who went to my high school mentioned on Facebook that Extreme Makeover was coming to Baltimore. I absolutely love the show and watch it every Sunday. I knew that I needed to find a way to get to the site and volunteer.

I signed up online along with my friends, Alden and Kim. The recipients were announced yesterday and the build started. We volunteered to work from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. today.

I was surprised to see Ty there today. So cool that he was though!

Raven Symone from That's So Raven was the celebrity on this episode.

Alden and I spent four hours working in the catering tent. We served all the volunteers on the build.

After lunch, we went outside to work. On my way to the port-a-pot, a man told me to come with him for a minute. I ended up being an extra in a shot that they were doing with Michael, the designer, and Raven!

We also moved piles of wood and stocked coolers. The rest of the time was spent hanging out while the cement trucks came in. We got to see other celebrities...Paige and Xzibit on the build site.

The experience was everything I hoped for and more! Thanks girls for going with me!

Yum, Yum

Is there anything better than the combination of summer tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil?

I made this recipe the other day and it was out of this world.

Insalata Caprese Kabobs with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction and Eros Pista Paste (recipe from Tassa Hampton on Grill It! with Bobby Flay)

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 small container cherry tomatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) container fresh mozzarella
  
• 1 bunch large fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 teaspoons Eros Pista or fresh Hungarian paprika, optional
• Special Equipment: 4 (18-inch) metal skewers

Directions

Preheat a grill to medium heat.

To make the sauce, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and reduce very slowly on low heat. Stir occasionally until it reduced to the consistency of syrup, approximately 10 minutes.

Onto a skewer, layer 1 cherry tomato, 1 piece of fresh mozzarella and 1 large folded basil leaf. Repeat this pattern until 2 inches are left on the end of the skewer. Push the ingredients down towards the bottom tip for easy handling of the tops. Repeat with the remaining skewers and ingredients. When the skewers are ready to grill, put them onto a large piece of foil, brush them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the sheet of foil with the skewers onto the grill and shut the lid until the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes. When finished, pull the skewers from the heat by gripping the sides of the foil. Drizzle each skewer evenly with the balsamic reduction and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of Eros Pista. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!



I also made Turkey Burgers with lemon honey mustard and goat cheese. They're a new family favorite.

It's Hot!

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

Russell Baker

Fourth of July T-Shirts Through the Years

It used to be that we would be at the beach for the Fourth of July with our extended family. It was always my job to make the Fourth of July t-shirts with all of the kids.

In 2002, we made shirts with rubber stamps and paint brushes.

In 2003 , we tie-dyed t-shirts.



It looks like we rubber stamped again in 2004.

Not sure what we did in 2005, but in 2006 we tie-dyed again!




We haven't been back to the beach over the 4th since 2006, so I haven't done shirts since then.

With all of the blog parties I've been checking out lately, I came across this blog about reverse applique and this tutorial on how to do it. I was at Michaels and t-shirts were 2 for $5. I am not much of a sewer, but even I could make these! I asked the twins (they are the only ones who will still dress up for the holidays) what they wanted on their shirts. Ammy wanted a peace sign (semi-patriotic) and Kellen wanted the Raven's logo (not in the least bit patriotic)

I whipped these up in no time and they wore them to Oregon Ridge to see the BSO and the fireworks on Saturday night.

Ammy sporting her peace shirt.

Kellen in his red, white and blue Ravens shirt.

I am linking up to these parties today:

How I Spent My Birthday

Lions

tigers

and bears, oh my!

Orangutans walking over head.

Gorillas hanging out.

And a gator in the muck!

Go here to see more pictures from my day at the National Zoo.