A Day at the Beach

IMG_3400, originally uploaded by hmsohly.

Having the whole family go to the beach is a treat. With the craziness that is our modern lives, we often head off separately to get the big girl to soccer, theater or an evening with friends while the littles head to their activities. Getting us all together to play and relax is a greal gem.

We are all collectors--rocks, beach glass, and shells all make their way to our home in pockets and then find a place to adorn a shelf, a vase, a treasure box. The kids never seem to mind if it is sunny or gray. They just want the sand in their toes, wind on their cheeks, rocks to throw at the water and shovels for digging. Simple things are always the best. A day at the beach is the middle of heaven for our family.

The Best String Cheese

As a child, in Northern Wisconsin, I grew accustomed to the cheese curds and string cheese, my grandparents' always had in their refridgerator. They always went to the local dairy to get them (and an ice cream cone) and I took for granted that I'd find the same types of products when I ventured into stores in larger metropolitan areas. I didn't.

Last fall, my husband found my favorite "Fancy Cheese" at the Safeway near his office on Queen Anne. This spring, I found it at the PCC in Edmonds. I promise you and your kiddos will LOVE this cheese. It is the middle of heaven--just the perfect blend of salty and creamy. The texture is also perfect--the right amount of pull and bite. Hopefully you'll find "Fancy Cheese" in your market, but if you don't, here is the link to their on-line store: http://burnettdairy.com/. They are a full co-op, so you can also buy grain, fencing and other farm implements, though not on-line.

Homesteader's Package

Did you know you could order these little lovelies in the mail? My father orders his chickens and the little box full of holes and cheeps, arrives at the post office where he picks them up after the early morning call telling of their arrival. We are lucky to visit the farm in the summer. The "littles" as I refer to my kiddos, love all the baby animals, so Papa orders up chicks for the littles to enjoy. This year he decided to order a package with ducks, turkeys and geese. Apparently you give the company your order date and then they arrive. Sadly, Papa didn't read the fine print and the Homesteader's Package is always sent at a specific time. They are already at the farm and don't they look so soft and snuggly? No little baby ducks, geese and turkeys for the littles, but there will be chicks in June. Warm, downey sweetness--yes, the middle of heaven. . . I guess life on the farm in spring is the middle of heaven--all that new life and green. Ahh, spring.

Signs of Spring

These happy blossoms are making us believe that spring is definitely here. What wonderful reminders! Spring blooms and green shoots are just the middle of heaven. Even little hands understand that:).

A Friend Like Holly

As if having a friend who is willing to watch your kiddos isn't amazing enough, we have a friend, Holly, who is more amazing than that. The children almost lose their senses when Holly arrives. She loves to see them, play with them and make them giggle. On our way out to see a concert on Saturday night, I backed into her new snazzy car. I just scratched it (I didn't crunch it), but still--that is enough of a blip on my screen, to call it a night. We inspected her car and my sweet husband went in to tell Holly the news. Her response was heavenly, "Whatever, go have fun." She didn't come out and take a look. Obviously, she knows we will make it right, but still--not a look, not a stutter. . . "Whatever, go have fun." She was even surprised when we were home by 11:00 pm. The concert was over and we wanted to get her on her way. Friends are always awesome, but a friend who will watch your kids and love you even when you crack into her new car is the middle of heaven as far as we're concerned. Thank you, Holly. We love you.

Cakebread Cellars

Simple things.

Clean laundry.

A good cup of coffee.

Pizza on Friday--my kids eating all the black olives.

A glass of good wine.

Sleeping babies.

A movie with my sweetheart.

If you're looking for a glass of good wine, www.cakebread.com will provide you with a lovely experience. Their reserve chardonnay is incredible. Their reds are beautifully crafted. Really, you'd enjoy any bottle on which they place their label. Their cooking classes are dreamy as well! BB (before babies) my husband and I enjoyed a cooking class and a meal with the owner, Jack Cakebread. If you get the opportunity, take it. Their chefs are constantly creating and pairing; their on-site garden is unparalleled. Cakebread wines are definitely "the middle of heaven" as far as we are concerned.

My Daddy's Dream Car

My father is simple in his tastes. He likes meat with every meal. He likes to wear things out--drive a car into the ground, wear clothes thread-bare, recycle an old refridgerator into a shelf for the farm, etc. He loves where he lives and loves his family. He farms and gardens. With that said, he does enjoy nice things, though he rarely has such desires. Today, he fulfilled a boyhood wish. He bought a Thunderbird. He has looked at paper ads for them since the 60s. . . and fifty years later, he has the car he has always desired. I believe he is in the middle of heaven today. Here is a photo of him with his car. He is an old German guy, so that is as happy as he ever looks. Well, he might look happier when playing with his grandkids. I'll have to do some photo comparison.