round the corner

we have a lovely woodland trail near our home. a favourite of ours. it is usually quiet. there are a few spots where you go around a corner and the trail disappears behind you. we have Aidan trained now to ride only as far as he can see us, then to wait until he spots us or ride back to where we are. the first few times we took the path and he disappeared were a little frightening. it is quite the dilemma to be thrilled on one hand that he has reached this level of independence. but it is also scary to realize that we have a little less control!

the little trail has us fooled into thinking that we are so removed from streets and roads. there are logs and thick bushes to explore. wild strawberries and the largest wild raspberry patch i've ever seen.

Aidan loves to ride the trail as fast as he can. Kiara loves to take in every detail. and i am caught in the middle trying to accommodate both of their desires.




this is the point where we all know the winding trail is over. this is also the only point of the trip where we must take it together. unity. once we cross the road the trail changes. no more gravel. it is an easy and quick trip. the destination is visible. they know that the playground and bike track are soon to be reached.






winter is so dismal. this year we weren't even allowed to enjoy the yellows, golds and reds of the changing seasons. the past few years were rich in the autumn colours and we were blessed.

i love to see the spring buds. even the weeds make me smile at this point!

i am thankful that there is more than one kind of tree. spring would be so boring if we only had spruce or cedar or elm trees.




the park is much more fun without snow suits and heavy winter boots.

i was looking at old photos a few weeks ago and saw baby photos of the kids when we played at the park. they have grown so much. they love to hear stories of what they were like when they were "little". they are great kids. so different from one another. but yet so very similar. it is interesting how they are a mix of us, as well as having some aspects completely different from us.


here is a recipe for Baked Alaska desert:

allrecipes.com

you can also watch Gordon Ramsey make one here.





i did not follow either recipe exactly.

for the cake i used the cupcake tops. then i added one scoop of the ice cream on top of them.

i did follow the meringue recipe for egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar.

i don't own a cooking torch. besides i am sure i would never be allowed to own one! have you seen me with fire? ha! besides it was much more fun to put the desert into the oven and really make a show out of it all.

i was thrilled to learn that you can make them ahead and freeze them for a few days. just be sure to encase the entire desert in the meringue. it is actually a fun science lesson too.

hello, spring? are you there?

a little bit of weather dyslexia happening these days.

one day we have the sun shining, the wind is calm and there are puddles to slip into.

then the next day is cloudy, with a cold wind. and snow if we're so lucky!

i am getting so confused. i don't get to watch the news very often, and rarely think of looking online at the weather reports. but every time i watch the weather it seems like the trend is just a few days of cold weather, then temperatures above zero. every time. how is that possible?!

Kristian will be in Manitoba this week. all week. the area he is going to is expecting snow. not that he should be concerned or anything. he'll be working, not going on a holiday.

Edmonton is home to a growing colony of rabbits. as spring approaches they are getting hungry and tend to be more brave. we see at least one each week that can handle being near us for a length of time and probably hoping we'll take pity and feed them. too bad the nose of our snowman is a plastic carrot. if we did take pity, then they would keep returning all summer and enjoy our garden before we could!

unfortunately for our children....they think that each of these rabbits is the "easter bunny"! well, maybe if it were pink or blue!!

you are joking!

yesterday was a beautiful afternoon.

the sun was shining.

and most importantly: the snow was melting!

it was a wonderful sight to see drops of water falling....

even our big maple tree had the appearance of spring!

the snow was the perfect stickiness. the kids built a snowman. on their own. {i had to help only a few times....the head and upper body kept falling off!!}

isn't he cute?!

{the pipe also kept falling out...i think maybe he didn't like the pressure from us to smoke?!}

we ran around the backyard making circles in the snow. ahem! melting snow. it was wonderful.

then we woke up to the last part of a blizzard!!

you must be joking.

nope.

i just got back in from shoveling the drifted sidewalks. and my fingers are numb.

we have a saying in Alberta:

if you don't like the weather...wait five minutes.

so true.

next week the forecast is for more melting snow. i. can't. wait.

hoping

for some more nice fall weather....


we're expecting frost when we wake up tomorrow.


last week it was actually quite warm during the day and even part of the evening was comfortable. and when the sunflowers get planted in July they finally bloom in October....love how the ladybugs enjoy them.

i'm wondering how frost-hardy sunflowers can be? their name doesn't imply much hope. but then neither does the "pansy"....sounds wimpy, but they are so tough. i guess time will tell.