Mix, Sprinkle, Sprinkle, Pour, Enjoy

We are having lunch at church today and I needed to make a dessert. I thought of this one right away for two reasons, it is easy and it is rhubarb season. Make that three reasons, it is delicious.
Mix up a yellow cake mix according to the package directions. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Put the batter into a greased (sprayed) 9 X 13 pan.

Sprinkle 4 cups of chopped rhubarb on top of the batter.

Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups sugar on the rhubarb.

Pour a pint of whipping cream on top of the sugar. Use 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of whipping cream.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, mine took longer. I'm not exactly sure how long the cake was in the oven but it was close to 50 minutes.

*No pictures of the finished cake as I am taking it to church. You'll just have to trust me on this one or join us for lunch. It looks pretty when cut and there is an amazing rhubarb custard in the cake. This recipe came without a name, I call it Rhubarb Custard Cake. Enjoy!

The 800 Club

Yay Max! He did it! Max is now a proud member of the 800 club.
Max has been going to zero hour at school this year. Zero hour is before school where Robb (yes, my boot camp Robb) helps the football team with their weight lifting. I call it the 'Hour of Power'. Max set a pretty high goal of making the 800 Club as a freshman. Usually only one or two freshmen make it. It's not easy.
Max benched 225, squat 260, 185 powerclean and 185 incline, that's pounds people. So, at 855 he is one happy camper. We are very proud of him. He set the goal and made it and more importantly he is in good shape for football in the Fall. And he gets the 800 club t-shirt!
He will continue to lift this summer. The stronger the players are, the less chance they have of getting hurt. And that makes this mama happy.

Camano Island Traditions II

When our guys are at Camano Island beach they build. On Sunday Mark and Karen came with Levi and Braden, they were immediately recruited. Vern and Shelly came on Sunday too. So, while we were visiting and enjoying the view, the guys were busy on the beach.





Sunday was another sunny day with good friends at the cabin. Traditionally on Sunday evening we BBQ burgers and hot dogs.
We brought the Wii for evenings. It is still cool in the evenings in May on the island. So, everyone comes inside.


A fun weekend and school is out June 4 for Max. Summer is coming!

Camano Island Traditions

On Friday, inbetween packing and getting ready for the weekend at the cabin on Camano Island, I saw Dr. Burden. My allergies were outta control. Of course, the sinus infection shows up and I was a mess. She fixed me right up. And I carried on.

We picked up Tyler, packed in and got there before dark and settled in for the weekend.

In the morning I got the drinks on ice, the flank steak marinating and got into the sunshine. Where I had not been since last summer. Just soaked up that long lost friend vitamin D.

On Saturday Craig, Jolene, Jordan and Morgan came for the day. Shelli and Tess showed up later. Mid afternoon Jolene, Morgan and I went on the hike around the loop. This is a nice hike along our beach to the state park beach into the park and onto a trail through the woods along the bluff back to the top where our cabin sits.
Morgan's first Memorial weekend trip to Camano Island was when she was one week old. It is a long standing tradition, Morgan is now twelve.

We visited with the guys constructing a raft along the way. What Max wants you to notice is that in every picture he and Jordan are working and Tyler, not so much. They build rafts and forts on our beach and have such a good time.


Obviously, Tyler is management material.

Jolene, Morgan and I didn't fall off the bluff but we did run into a snake on the trail. Scared us to bits!

We had a sunny, fun day with lots of laughs. Ended with our traditional dinner of steak, potatoes, Snicker's salad, Caesar salad and bread with jam.
To be continued...

Sweet? Sixteen

Remember the good old days when Max had a cowboy birthday party? Every. Single. Year.
And he wore shorts with his cowboys boots. All. The. Time.
Good memories for sure!

Happy Birthday to my baby! Max is sixteen today. I am wondering where the time went. Max arrived 3 and a half weeks early and he has pretty much been catching us off guard ever since.

We will celebrate his birthday at the cabin on Camano Island. Lots of friends, food and sunshine this weekend. The guys will be building forts and rafts down on the beach. I plan on hiking, sunning and lounging. Cooking too. We have had the same Memorial Day Weekend menu for 15 years. If there is any deviation from said menu the guys totally come apart. Wouldn't want that to happen!

Happy Memorial Day and Blessings to our military too.

A Lot of Rhubarb

I went to the farm and got a lot, maybe even a bushel, of rhubarb this week.
I froze some for pies, made rhubarb muffins and froze three batches of punch. My Mom makes rhubarb punch and everyone loves it. Even those BILs that hate, despise, won't come near the stuff, rhubarb. I'm not sure Mom has told them that it's rhubarb. Hee hee.

The color is a very pretty pink, perfect for a bridal or baby shower. Nice to have it in the freezer, ready to go.


Rhubarb Punch

5 c. cut up rhubarb
1 quart water
12 oz. frozen pink lemonade
1 1/2 c. sugar
64 oz. 7-up or Sprite


Cook the rhubarb and water until rhubarb is mushy; strain and add sugar and lemonade. Pour into a container and freeze. When you are ready to serve, thaw for 2 hours and add 7-up. Delish!

Field Trips

{Insert country music here}
I've been on some field trips this week. Hubby and I went to Hovander Park on his birthday. Checked out the fowl. Hubby wants chickens here at the Stone House. Me, I'm on the fence. Neither of us wants a turkey. They kinda gross me out, with that waddle looking like guts on the outside and all. I think we'd rather just get our turkey dinner at Haggens or Safeway and call it good.

Back at home I finally got my garden in. Looks good, don't it? Just like a country girl's garden should be.

Give me a little credit, you could have believed it for a minute. I'd like to claim this one but it is done by the Master Gardeners at Hovander Park.

Hubby wants to weld now. The park has some sweet garden doo dahs. Go crazy, honey!

We enjoy the Fragrance Garden. If you know where to find grapefruit mint, let me know, I need some.

Wednesday afternoon I went to a sweet little fabric, stitchery, quilters, crafters shop. Oh wait. That's not a shop. It's Holly's home with a special supply room. Amazing. It was sensory overload, all those gorgeous colors.

Holly has some very cool collections out at her country home. She also has a huge garden that puts Hovander's to shame. I hope she gives garden tours on her blog this summer so I know when things are ready.

Holly is getting me started on stitchery. I think I can do it. I definitely won't be able to keep up with Holly though, she has done some amazing projects. I got some ideas and patterns and definitely some inspiration. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Birthday Honey

Today is Hubby's Birthday. Since we both are off work today I made plans to take him on a day out. First stop, here, for some new shoes. Then here for spa chemicals, hey, it's on the way to here. Then after lunch a walk at Hovander Park through the gardens and Tennent Lake trail.

Instead he went here and here with Sam. Tonight he is going here for Max's choir concert.

I love this guy, he puts our boys ahead of himself, every time. I think he eventually gets to be here. That is a good thing because he loves us best!

Happy, happy day, sweetie!

Sunny Sunday

On Sunday afternoon my Mom's sister, my Aunt Shirley and her daughter Landen visited with us at my folk's place. My cousin Landen is visiting from California. We enjoyed being outside, a beautiful, warm day.
Tonight it is cold and rainy, our sunny Sunday seems so long ago.

The cousins, me, Ken, Jodi and Landen.

It's a Small World After All

On Friday evening some sisters came over to my house. One sister had a date so she couldn't join us. Anyway, the purpose of the evening was to plan a luncheon. Becky, Jodi and I are hosting a lunch on June 5th. A ladies luncheon, you might say, or a Sip-n-See. The lunch is for some old friends and new friends and friends that I haven't even met yet, but I just know we'll be friends. We'll see just how small the world really can be. I'll keep you posted.

Besides planning the menu and other details we decided to scrap a bit. Jodi brought fruit and I shared something new from Trader Joes, chicken coconut curry rolls, Becky brought dessert. She showed us up. Becky saw the cover of Better Homes and Gardens and got busy. Delicious, "pb & j amped up" dessert style. It looked just like a magazine cover, it was so pretty. Tasty too.
The planning and snacking and visiting went well, the scrapping, not so much. Jodi made a faux Starbucks coffee. Becky explained just how much she dislikes white paper. Over and over.


We had lots of laughs so it was a good evening. Becky's dessert was definitely a success. And we are ready for the luncheon.
But the scrappin' not so much. We just weren't feelin' it.

It's All Good Except for My Brain

Last night Max had his Soccer team dinner party. Hubby was working so Max and I drove out to the Zweegman property. Past Birch Bay and held by a family and Whatcom Land Trust, this property is amazing. It was so beautiful and we actually had sunshine. A good time was had by all.
On the drive home we decided to stop at the Mellema Ranch, hoping for a visit with Little Bit. Little Bit was staying elsewhere but we did get to see three new colts and fillies. So cute. If I lived on the ranch I would just park myself in a chair by the pasture and gaze lovingly at them all day however; I think if you live on a ranch there is no time to gaze lovingly because there are so many chores. Mindy was very gracious in spite of us dropping in right at the kids' bedtime. I had poor light so I want to sneak back for some good photos.

All said and done a nice day, I met my sister, the birthday girl, Kathi at Starbucks for coffee. Janice joined us and we had a nice visit. I made a fast stop at Becky's workplace and scared her to bits, so that was fun. Worked at the museum, did some household chores. A good day!


However, that being said, I would like to add that several times yesterday conversations came up regarding a fifty year old brain. It's not looking good. I am starting to suffer from filter failure. You know when older women say things that they are thinking. It just comes out. Processing aloud is a similar disease. We've all had a mother that suffers from this disease.

Then last night on the way to the party Max and I had a discussion. This is how it ended.
Me-"You are a teenager and may not like to hear this but your brain is not fully developed yet. So, you are not capable of some decisions."
Max-"Well, your brain is fifty and rotting, and you may not like to hear this but..."
Me-"Wait just one minute mister...you're right."
End of discussion.

Dannnnny...

Wow Em, I don't know what to say, I'm sorry. So, sorry. I really thought Kris would be packing his bags.

Watching TV is an emotional roller coaster. I had no idea.

Now I Know

Recently it has come to my attention that because I don't watch TV, I am socially lacking. I didn't make a conscious decision to not watch TV, I just stopped. A few years ago I had a secret vice and watched one trashy show. My friend Mark also watched and we would discuss while our spouses were looking at us like we were total strangers. Then I kept forgetting to watch it and gradually stopped. Different TV shows come up in conversations a lot and when you never watch it is difficult.

Saturday evening my dear friend Emily was pretty excited about American Idol. I decided I would watch on Tuesday evening and she invited me over. To help me know what was going on with the judges, the singers and that icky host Ryan Seacrest (I did not even know he was icky) Emily thought we should watch together.

I arrived at Emily's home, walked up her flower lined sidewalk and into her immaculate, spotless, darling home. She likes everything in its place. Emily is a second grade teacher and loves the kiddos.

Once inside, she whips out the evening's teaching tool. The poster board, done in color coordinated columns will help me to watch American Idol without constantly interrupting her viewing. She also has DVR (I had no clue what DRV was) so she could stop the show, explain to me, zip over Ryan Icky Seacrest and commercial breaks.

I wanted a photo of Emily with the board for my blog but she had on her scrubs so no go.



Emily loves Danny, hence the hearts on the teaching tool poster. At this point they are all talented. Of course, I can't sing so what do I know? I leaned to Adam, once a rocker always a rocker. Tonight one of the three gets the boot.


In conclusion, I have some observations. I need DVR. Adam shares his hair dresser with Kate Gosselin. Danny's voice is sexy. Kris sounds good and is very cute but sings out the side of his mouth and it's a tiny bit annoying. Paula Abdul looks tanked, totally shot, knackered. Emily invited me back. I hope Danny wins because I don't think Emily can get over it if he doesn't. And even if Adam isn't chosen, he's a rock star and we'll hear more from him.

How did I do? I think pretty well. I got invited back and I think I can carry on a half way decent American Idol conversation.

What a Pair

Sometimes good wine pairings show up unexpectedly. Monday night, we weren't expecting one but it just showed up, a welcome drop in guest.

Monday was Hubby's last night at the dinner table for awhile so I made pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, applesauce and bread for dinner. He suggested we have wine with dinner. He chose Isenhower, Red Paintbrush 2004. It is 80% merlot, 17% cabernet sauvignon, 3% Syrah. A guest had brought it Saturday evening and we hadn't gotten to it. Nice dinner and wine, but the surprise came at dessert.

We don't usually have dessert but as we sitting there visiting with Max I decided to share the Russell Stover New York Cheesecake Ganache I had gotten on Mother's Day.

"A smooth cream cheese truffle with hint of raspberry, enrobed in a layer of silky milk chocolate and finished with rich, dark chocolate."-Russell Stover

Paired with the wine, well, it was a moment. So delicious.

I am thinking a cheesecake with raspberries, a chocolate crust or ganache with this wine would be foodie worthy.
Hubby has his bags packed, we need to visit this winery in Walla Walla.

Too Much Fun

Weekend recap... I had some trouble getting good photos this weekend. I apologize in advance. Possibly I was moving too fast, hence, the blurry photos.

Friday I took my Mom for a pedicure, Jodi met us there. My Mom was nervous. This was all a bit too frou frou for my practical Mom. She ended up enjoying the pampering, wants to go back and liked how her feet felt. Mom could be a high maintenance babe yet. We had a good time. A little shopping and lunch too.


Jodi and Mom bought the same sandals at Sole Obsession this Spring. Didn't realize it until Friday.

Happy Anniversary Babes!
On Saturday evening Hubby and I hosted an anniversary party for the boot camp babes and their husbands. Yes, for one year we have been getting up at 5:30 a.m. and going to work out with Robb three days a week. Karen and I decided that this warranted a Par-Tay!
Everyone brought their favorite diet foods to share. Sangria and 'Lime punch', appetizers and goodies galore.
Lots of laughs too. Everyone cleans up real nice and frankly, I hardly recognized some with hair and makeup done.




Mother's Day
I was totally spoiled with beautiful gifts, coffee and grapefruit in bed, after church a brunch at Bill and Jodi's place, a call from Danny, the works!
Jodi's table was gorgeous. Fine china with a woodsy feel. Delicious food. Excellent wait staff.




SIL Julie stopped by after lunch with her Mom and we had a Moms' pic. Isn't it great how color coordinated we are? We didn't even call each other. Clever girls!

Today, I am going to regroup, do laundry and get my game on for the end of the school year activities. The PaRtY is OVER.
But, oh, it was fun.