salty dog (unrelated)

A first for both of them. We filled up the wading pool this week. 

It was the source of much laughter, much fighting, much experimentation, much daring and mom-defying feats... and the avenue for Lenny's first bath... at least it started out as her first bath... we moved into the tub in the house with a sudsy dog that we could not keep in the pool. She much preferred the warm bath water indoors.

Today Jack baked his first soft pretzels (on the hottest day of the year-lucky Mike came to install the window AC unit at lunch)

They were more fun to make than to eat, we may have to tweak the recipe a little next time or try a different one, any suggestions?

The boiling (in baking soda and water) step was the most interesting, they puffed up larger than we expected.

more than a pinch of salt...

I thought they were okay, but the boys didn't care for them. They all tried them though, that is all we can ask right? Jack was warned to just sprinkle a wee bit of salt on them and in the end he figured they would be better with sugar and cinnamon. (they were REALLY salty)

Still a successful kitchen day.

We have weeds.

I have always been a reluctant weed killer. I have the yard that the neighbours despise and say bad things about behind my back... or to me directly.

The thing is, I love the variety that a yard like mine gives, you can lie down in the grass and see bugs, clover, several kinds of grass and flowers, It is a wild urban jungle. 

Today we did a little experiment with our weeds. Inspired by Solomon, we made "paint" with our dandelion heads. 

Then we added some frozen raspberries from last year.