On Top of the Hill

He's reached the top of the hill...er and maybe took one step down the other side. It's occasions like these that make me glad I'm three years behind. Okay, I'm a few weeks late with this post, but I was perusing my pictures and these made me laugh.

Dad leading the family in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.

This is why I love this girl! It made me laugh out loud when I looked back at the pictures later and saw this one. 

Priceless.

First Day of School

Here they are...

Who here can appreciate the sequence and argyle outfit? 

My daughter does. I think she wins the award for

 "First Day of School Fabulous".

There they go...

One cutie, a couple of BFFs, and a 6th grader breathing the words, "Oh no!" as he sees his embarrassing mother peering into the doorway holding a camera. That's what I'm here for.

Close ups

Before

After

No worries. Completely in character for this one. His foot slipped off the slide and he did a face plant into the wood chips. Ahhhh....Way to start the first day of school.

Zucchini Palooza

Last month my gas oven died. Yesterday its replacement came and it was time to take that bad boy on its maiden voyage. This event coincided quite nicely with a garden full of zucchini. Today I was at it again and enjoying some zucchini brownies hot out of the oven. Yum! Completely reminds me of my childhood; which often included the thought, "How could something this sugary, chocolaty and tasty have zucchini in it?" Turns out there are hundreds of delicious things to make with zucchini.This is by far my most favorite vegetable growing in the garden every year.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

Zucchini Brownies
2 C sugar (It wouldn't be a crime to make those somewhat rounded cups)
1/2 C oil
2 C grated zucchini
2 T vanilla
2 C flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
Mix together, pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.
These are good with chocolate frosting, but I can't wait and just eat them as is.

Zucchini Bread
I won't give a recipe unless you request it because I think most people have one that they love. But I'll just add two words: Chocolate Chips. Now go add them to your bread!

Zucchini Pineapple Chocolate Chip Cake
(Watch out 'cuz this is crazy good.)
3 eggs
1 C oil
2 C. sugar
Mix then add:
2 C grated peeled zucchini
3 C. flour
1 small can crushed pineapple
3/4 C. chopped nuts
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 C chocolate chips
Pour into greased 9x13. Bake 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Zucchini Medley  ( I love this as a go-to side dish)
Heat about 1T of butter in a pan. Add peeled and sliced zucchini (medium thickness) and chopped onions. Season with Salt & Pepper & Italian Seasoning. Cook until tender then add big chunks of chopped tomatoes. Heat tomatoes through and you're done!
You can also snazz it up a notch by adding green beans and crumbled bacon to the mix.