Eleven

My Baby turned eleven on Monday.

Eleven!

I am thankful every day for her smile and for the woman who allowed her to be our daughter.

The Legacy

Once there were two women who never knew each other.

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives shaped to make you one.

One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.

One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home that she could not provide.

The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.

And now you ask me, through your tears,the age-old question unanswered through the years.

Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?

Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

Happy Birthday sweet Girl!

Summer Cooking

Love, love, love this recipe.

I picked some Swiss Chard from the garden and wilted it slightly.

Stuck in a big honkin' piece of mozzarella cheese.

Added salt and pepper and olive oil to the outside.

And grilled them.

Pregrilling.

Nice little packets.

Post grilling.

Lord have mercy!

I added a little more olive oil and salt and just ate them.

Okay, I ate all of them.

Simple and delicious!

We had more cucumbers from the garden so I made dill pickles.

Yes, Dill pickles.
I want to learn to make sour pickles but I don't know the difference.
Someone help me.

I made Garden Zucchinni bread which is more like a garden and less like Zucchini. It had tomatoes, onions and cheese in it. I'm used to a sweet Zucchini bread and not savory so this threw me a bit. It was delicious with the big bowl of Turkey chili I made tonight. The bread didn't rise well so I think I need new Baking Powder. Or Baking Soda. Or new flour.

I braided all my garlic so it could finish drying.

Warning: don't let the children read this next part.

My husband called this sculpture: "all my past lovers."
He said we couldn't display this in our house.

I made this delicious Spanokopita too.

I'm not a fan of working with Phyllo dough thank you very much.

The kids ate the entire pan full of Spanokopita.

I like saying that word.

Spanokopita.

Spinach, Ricotta and Feta.

Heavenly!

What has your garden brought to your dinner table?

Bev

More Lego Robotics

The kids had another Lego Robotics class on Wednesday.

This week they worked on learning about the sensors in the robots and making them work.

The official Lego table is very cool.

The kids are learning to write out their steps before they program the robots.

Sometimes they had to change out parts to make the robot work the way that they wanted it to. It was really good for them to try out different parts and experiment with what was working and what wasn't.

Each time they tried the robot on the table to see how it worked then went back and made changes and reprogrammed it.

They all have different ideas on what will work and everyone gets to try. Teamwork is a key component in getting the robot to work and will be even more important

when competition time rolls around.

Pit stop.

Cool Table.

Future Aquabots programming their Robot.

A wheel change to see if a swivel or stationary works better.

Whizzing away!

Testing the sensors.

Parts for changing.

I'm glad the kids can figure this out.

Sharing ideas.

Another try.

Third wheel change trial.

Trying out a new bumper too.

Help and guidance from the teacher.

The kids shared their accomplishments and frustrations

about the robot at the end of the session.

Tracy shows them some other ideas they might want to try.

Kent trying out the other robot.

This one had a stationary wheel and flatter bumper.

There are lots of smiles and laughter.

I'm so proud of these kids.

Can't wait to see how the Aquabots do in competition.

Go Team!

Summer Pool Fun

Hope your summers are full of cool days

and laughter.

Bev