yes, it's a leash....for a bunny!

Denny's Pet World, I would like you to know you have every hard-earned dollar my girls have made in the past two years.

This week after finally coming to the sad realization that mom (usually a total pushover) isn't caving into the current campaign for a new pocket pooch (even if it's a rescue dog), the girls decided on their own to love their current pets even more. Of course that resolve involved acquring some new bunny leashes (who knew they made such a thing?!) so they could walk the bunnies around like little (I'm guessing) doggies. THey got all their little glass jars and wads of cash and coin and begged please, please, please take us to Denny's! I was dragging my feet at another trip to Denny's, but I will admit, a pet store with kids is a pretty magical place, and I actually left feeling happier. Yes, very unexpected.

And seriously, how can I complain? There's certainly a lot worse they could spend their money on, and their two little bunnies are always happy for any excuse to get outside in the grass, even if it means they are on silly little leashes being led around like puppies. Pets of youngsters endure so much "love" at the hands of their well-intentioned owners :)

Rock on, Bunz (aka Oreo) and Spotty! Ruff, ruff.

the big night

The tree house had its first overnight guests last week when Emma, Sophia, Sela and Nina had their first sleepover in the trees! I was excited for the girls (as were they with their new freedom), but Serena and I wondered if they'd really make it all night. We kept lots of house lights on, equipped the girls with flashlights, bedding, favorite stuffed animals and even toilet paper, just in case. Emma had her cell phone so they could call if they needed anything. Kona  kept a close eye and slept on the lawn down below.

I stayed up till about 12 and made some kettle corn for a midnight snack and also for an excuse to say one last goodnight and check to see if anyone was feeling uncertain or afraid. As I was bringing the kettle corn to the girls, I stopped across the bridge from the tree house when I heard  music playing.  They were having a dance party! There is a huge window in the tree house and the four girls were all facing it so they could watch themselves groove.  It was seriously the most adorable thing ever. They couldn't see me since I was in the dark, and I didn't watch long before I knocked (I felt like I was spying), but oh my goodness, it was cute. A total "girls just wanna have fun" moment. I slept in the front guest room with the window open so I could hear if they called out. I actually thought I wouldn't sleep much, but next thing I knew it was morning and there was no Emma, Sophia, Sela or Nina in the house and no missed calls on my phone. Amazing! It was actually a little bit strange to realize my kids slept outside of my house all night long. I started making them some raspberry muffins for breakfast and then I got a call from Emma saying she was coming down to use the restroom. She said the other girls were sleeping and that everything was good. I had to grab Sela and run to a tennis tournament, but it looked like everyone slept well. Nina was on the daybed, Emma in the loft, and Sophia and Sela on thick mats and blankets on the floor. I think this will be one of their top memories from summer 2010!

Salmon Cakes

With our lettuce exploding in the garden, I've been on the hunt for some good salad recipes the kids will eat (and like). Salmon is always a favorite in our household so around dinnertime I did a quick search to find a recipe for salmon cakes. I've tried several variations of salmon cakes and they have all been fine, but I really love this one, especially with the simple sauce and served over salad. It came from Rachael Ray of all places. I did have to add another egg, but I drained the salmon really, really good..maybe too much? I used a different seasoning than Old Bay because I didn't have it, but I stuck to the recipe everywhere else. These were delicious and very kid friendly. The kids ate all the salad too with no "encouragement."



Salmon Cakes
•Vegetable oil, for frying (or butter)
•3 (6-ounce) portions cooked salmon or 3 (6-ounce) cans salmon, drained well
•1 1/2 cups cracker meal (I used Panko crumbs)
•2 large eggs, beaten
•2 rounded teaspoons Old Bay seasoning blend
•1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
•20 blades fresh chives, snipped or chopped
•2 to 3 tablespoons fresh dill, a handful, finely chopped
•1 teaspoon cayenne pepper sauce
•1 lemon, zested and juiced
•Salad greens
•Coarse salt
•Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
•1/2 cup mayonnaise or reduced fat mayonnaise
•1/2 cup chili sauce
•2 tablespoons dill pickle relish

Directions

Heat a large, heavy skillet with 1 inch of frying oil over moderate heat. ( I did not do this, instead just a simple pan fry with a drizzle of olive oil and a pat of butter. It was fine and plenty "fried")

Flake the cooked cooled salmon with a fork. Add cracker meal to the bowl and work through the fish with your hands. Add the eggs, seasoning, pepper, chives, dill, pepper sauce, and the zest of one lemon to the bowl. Combine the ingredients well with your hands. If the mixture is a little wet, add a bit more cracker meal. Form 3-inch patties of salmon cakes 1-inch thick. You should yield 8 to 10 cakes. Fry cakes until golden in a single layer 3 or 4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towel lined plate.

Toss salad greens with coarse salt and the juice of the lemon you zested. Drizzle the greens with a little extra-virgin olive oil and re-toss the salad to coat.

Combine mayonnaise, chili sauce and relish in a small dish. To serve, place salmon cakes on a bed of baby greens, 2 cakes per person and top with chili mayonnaise sauce.

** The WILD canned salmon at Costco is awesome and makes this a meal I can throw together at a moments notice. Fresh salmon would work too, but we usually eat that up and never have leftovers.

raspberry love

If I can outpace Evan's eating with my picking, it's no small miracle!

summer salad

One thing everyone with a garden in these parts has a lot of right now is lettuce! So lots of salads on the menu this week.

If you give 5 kids some rope (after they've asked for 2 weeks straight!)

They might just spend the next nine hours creating a village in the trees...with pulleys, swings, and rooms. The creativity of children left to their own devices is amazing.


Emma lashed this little rope swing together. There is a piece of wood for the seat.





No tree village is complete without lots of adornment.



They even made a sink for the dishes.

the point was to get a picture of Evan SNUGGLING

Evan has the cutest little snuggle. He burrows in and puts his head right on my chest and sucks his thumb. We all love it so much because it is so babylike. Today he was in a super cuddly mood so I told Nina to run get the camera. It's one of those things about Evan I'd like to remember. But then he went nutso and started biting my chin...hard! And arching his back. So much for snuggles.


owie! seriously, he means business!

so proud of himself.


better luck next time!