Welcome to flamingobear. We're the Martin family. Jenn cooks a lot. Tim eats it. And the trees are awesome.
If you’ve read even a couple of posts on this blog, you know we’re a little bit into food, especially the local kind. And there’s no more local food than that we grow right here in our yard. Our girls are great eaters, and part of the reason for that is that they are emminently connected to their food. They know where it came from, how it was made, and they know what they like.
Well, 2009 was our second year of big fun gardening in our little “4 raised bed” garden. It looked like this…
What do you think of when you hear the term “preacher’s wife”? Hmm…
One who sees only in black in white?
Last night, I decided that I wanted to try something new with the camera. You see, our SLR actually has the ability to do high def video, and I’ve never used it to great effect. So, I told Oakley that I wanted to try something. She said she was willing, but that she really wanted to record Lindy more… So, we did that too.
Ultimately, though, I just sat Oakley down at the island, turned on the camera, and recorded. You can hear Lindy goofing off… Then I asked Oakley to tell me about herself. She does so briefly, but then she takes the conversation somewhere different. She decides to talk about Miss Drury, her 1st grade teacher.
Now, I’ve told many of you about Miss Drury on the blog and elsewhere. This, however, is Oakley’s unfettered, unrehearsed, uncensored opinion of her teacher.
Now, I believe that Miss Drury reads this blog from time to time. I thought about saving this… I thought about sparing her the embarrassment. But then I reconsidered. Teachers, especially great ones, have to be lauded… publicly. So, Miss Drury, I hope that you carry this close to your heart forever.
Click through to watch Oakley talk… and to learn about her issues with fractions… and cake.
Little Miss Lindy took her place among the great actresses of our age last night in the BUMC Day School Spring Show. She was the doctor, or, the patient, or something.
We’re trying something new with this video… interviews. So, we have some commentary by Lindy in addition to her great work.
Enjoy.
We’ve discussed, more than once, how Oakley has a talent with words. She reads beautifully, and writes equally well. I think she’s nothing short of brilliant. And, in a way, I was telling her that in the car today.
We’d been cruising along, talking a bit about the words she coined in this piece (Squack! Skit!).
One thing I love about Oakley is that she just decides to do stuff. It’s not because she’s asked, or she feels she has to, she just decides to do something. This birthday card is a perfect example.
Much like Krispy Kreme and its famous “Hot Now!” donuts sign, I think Southern cooks could benefit from a “Hot Now!” biscuits sign. Call this neon biscuit beacon an updated version of hollerin’ or triangle-ringing – the modern day equivalent of the traditional dinner bell. Or breakfast bell. Or supper bell. Or all three as scratch buttermilk biscuits are welcome at each, sometimes even in the same day!
Sometimes I’m asked if I miss teaching and if I’ll “go back” once all the kids are in school. Ummm, how do I say “no” and “no” politely? Now don’t get me wrong – I loved teaching biology and physical science. However, I feel I’m still very much a teacher – only with fewer students (just 3!) and a lot less paperwork! That said, I’d like to resume my former role as a high school teacher again for a moment. So, please clear your desk – it’s time for a pop quiz! And, please keep the groans to yourself.
Like other 1st grade students, Oakley was asked to complete a writing assessment sometime in the last couple of weeks. This is something they write at school in which they are encouraged to use all of their writing tools. I think Oakley comes with a truckload…
My favorite snowy day activity is sledding. I like sledding because sledding makes me feel like I am soaring down a massive hill with very swift and jerkey moments. Another thing I like to do is sip hot chocolate. Sipping hot chocolate makes me feel all warm and toasty inside. It makes me feel like I do when someone I love is surounding me. Hot chocolate makes me feel spectacular. When hot chocolate has marshmellows with it the hot chocolate makes feel even better. I also like building snowmen. The chilly snow on my fingertips makes me remember how fortanate we are to be having this much snow. It is so fun to roll the snow balls all different sizes. I wonder how many cinemeters it takes to get across the bottom sphere. Finnaly when I am on the last object I know every time that I am going to be satisfied with my snowman. When I am finished, I make sure that I have added every single part. Then I stand back to admire it. Sometimes I might say its to big. Sometimes I say its just right. And sometimes I might say, “Its to small. I will make it bigger next time!” I positivly love snowy winter days! I love playing in the snow, hot chocolate with marshmellows, and last but not least, building snowmen. I wish the whole world was of snow.
I have it on pretty good authority that this would have been a good writing assessment for a 5th grader… How awesome is Oakley!?
Some of Jenn’s foodie readers had a request… They wanted to be able to print the recipes, or at least to see them without the pictures and whatnot in the way.
Well, we clearly want to have happy readers, so I’ve added a link to the individual pages, right next to the picture of the author. If you’re on the homepage, where there are many posts listed, you won’t see it… But if you click through to the page for a given recipe, and then look for the words “printable version”, you’ll be well on your way.
From that page, you’ll be able to read, print, or even email the simple version of the recipe. Check it out, and let me know if you have any trouble with it. And only print it if you have to… I’d rather have you save some paper.
Tim