As I'm sitting here eating leftover Waldorf salad, I am starting to really believe in my theory that most sensible foods have proportionate combinations of carbohydrates and protein. The carbs are the fireball of energy and the protein regulates the release of that energy for the body to use. In the case of this Waldorf salad, the apples, raisins and celery are counterbalanced by the protein in the pecans. Think about it: even Kraft Macaroni and Cheese dinner has 9 grams of protein per serving (and I thought all I was getting was carbs from that!) My dietician would be proud of me right now...


I did this painting of Finn tonight. I know, I know, it's really not that great, but I am trying to learn the principles of painting and I figure this is a start. Having Emily's paintings hung throughout my house has given me ample time to ponder and look at what makes a great painting. I have a long ways to go.








Other exciting news: Finn got a new car seat! Yes, he has (finally) met the minimum weight and age requirement to sit in a front-facing seat: 20 pounds and 1 years old. He loves it! He smiles when we put him in it and sings and talks and babbles like he's one of "us" now (front-facing adults, that is). His head doesn't rest on the headpad yet, but he doesn't seem to care. Tally ho!

This is the final painting that Emily finished last week. I think it's beautiful. I really like how it turned out and I hope the "gym people" will like it too.










We're back from the land of sky-blue waters and brisk mornings. We had a great time in McCall and appreciate Grandma and Grandpa for having us. The reunion was great and the best one so far, in my opinion. I enjoyed seeing all the cousins and new babies, running in the mornings, and being in "Paradise." I was impressed with how well everyone got along (except for the meltdown my car had just before pulling out of the parking lot to go home). Overall, it was a "10."




Finn enjoyed the freedom of diaper-only beachcombing and roaming the forest floor unfettered. I was on vacation from my neatfreak mode, and therefore, so was he. Some nights I went to give him a bath in the bathroom sink and he looked like he'd been sweeping chimneys with Dick van Dyke and the cast of Mary Poppins.







Now, these are true mountain men. They came back from a long day of cutting wood hauling a whopping 4 cords of Idaho timber. For some reason Ben seemed to have been dirtier than the rest. My dryer's lint-catcher was full of sawdust and lint after washing the jeans Travis wore that day. (Incidentally, Finn didn't really cut wood with them. He does know how to "look tough" for the camera though).





Gee, if only I could get this plastic film container open....












I did it!

Ta-da! Finn has been standing up on his own lately and has taken those first few steps! Before long, he'll be taking over this place, running around and getting into all kinds of mischief!

These are the panels I'm painting for the new Club 24 in Kennewick. They're 12' by 4'. Travis and I made the frames and glued the boards together last night. I primed them this morning and am starting to paint. I hope they turn out...

So after many attempts to create a blog, I have finally found out how to do it. Travis took this picture of Finn sleeping last night.

The poor little guy has Hand-Foot-Mouth disease. It's a highly contagious virus that gets passed mostly between small children. He has small red blisters on his feet and inside his mouth. There's nothing you can do for it, just give him Tylenol. It should run it's course in the next few days.