a great thing about mom...

A few weeks ago I found myself with an abundance of zucchini, so I decided to make some zucchini bread! I had several loaves made and decided to share with my mom. Before I handed the loaf over I thought I'd better do a taste test...dang I just hate when I have to do a taste test! Anyways, I took a slice and it was pretty tasty. Here's the great thing about mom...even though there was a chunk of bread missing out of her loaf, she was still excited and happy and couldn't have cared less. It's just one of the things that I love about my mom...she is usually one of the most positive and happy people I know. She can put a positive spin on any situation, which can be annoying at times, but in the end I always appreciate it.

two peas in a pod...er...on a couch....

This is Aiden and his Papa...Papa and his Aiden...they are thick as thieves, best friends, pals, amigos, partners in crime, buddies...well you get it they get along, they get into trouble and they have a great time doing it!

baking with a two year old....

This is Aiden, my nephew, who always keeps things interesting. Recently, we did a little baking together and I learned a few things....

1 - Even though he's only two, he's still gonna get hacked when you don't let him use the scissors to open the package of mix.

2 - All kids, no matter what the age, know exactly what to do when you hand them a spatula covered in batter.

3 - A batter covered spatula is one of the few things that he will take his pacifier out of his mouth for.

4 - He likes to move the lever on the mixer, don't try to help him, don't even think about trying to help him...he'll get hacked.

5 - Even when he gets hacked, throws a little bit of a fit because I tried to help him, gets covered in batter, drips batter all over the kitchen floor....he's still, hands down the best and cutest help I've had in the kitchen for a long time!

from the pond with love...

Well we spent another fun filled weekend at the pond for the 4th of July bash! It was great, it involved a ton of kids running and turning into prunes from all of their swimming, a large smoker full of meat, lots of talking and catching up. There was just one little drawback....it rained...not a sprinkle, not a mist, not a quick shower...no, it poured and poured and poured, then it poured some more. It was out of control, we all (the adults) took cover in the 50 year old hog shed and it did pretty well at keeping us dry...for awhile. After hours of raining, it began to drip and then even the hog shed didn't do so great at keeping us dry. The kids on the other hand didn't let a little rain stop them, they headed for the pond and only got out to jump off the diving board or for food! Now, I know what some might be thinking, it was not lightening at all, so the kiddos were safe in the water.

Every year at the pond we play a game of Pond Baseball. It's basically baseball but in the pond, the batter hits the ball at the shore then instead of running to the bases they swim to the bases. The ball must land in the water for it to be fair, and the team that is in the outfield can start on dry land before getting the ball. It's usually a pretty intense and entertaining game, the siblings in families have to be split up on different teams so there is no fighting and there is a lot of smack talk. This year, for the first time in about 25 years there was talk of no pond baseball game. BUT - have some debating about the proud tradition that has begun and how the next generation who has started playing needs a good example, everyone geared up in their old cutoffs and t-shirts and played the game in the rain! There would be NO rain delay for the Unruh 4th of July Pond Baseball game! (imagine emotional music building when you read that last sentence)

We all skipped out a day early from the festivities because everyone was soaked and sick of the damp. It was a ton of fun and I'm pretty sure everyone is already excited about next year! :)

vivacious....

The other day a customer of mine referred to me as "vivacious" and let me tell you - it sure made my skirt fly up! I decided it is a very UNDER-used word. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to be called vivacious?! So...here is my challenge to you - try to use that word today or call someone vivacious...they will love ya forever! Enjoy the day all!