Happy Earth Day!

The Creamer family celebrated Earth Day by firing up the grill, and spreading weed & feed and ant poison over the yard!

Here's the Grill Master at work:

Focaccia Bread

This snack is extremely fast, easy and CHEAP! You can use it for sandwiches, snacks or as a dinner bread. Very versatile as you can use whatever is in your spice cabinet or left over in your fridge! I used the following recipe and added some ground flax seeds (for a healthy omega 3,6, and 9 boost!) I had to add extra water as well due to the seeds. We topped ours with garlic powder, dried italian herbs, freshly ground pepper and parmasean cheese!



INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 package active dry yeast OR 2 1/4 tsp. if using from bulk
2/3 cup warm water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour; stir well to combine. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 3-4 minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep dough from sticking.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
Turn dough out onto a baking stone/sheet dusted with cornmeal or sprayed lightly with oil. Push dough out using your fingertips to the edges of your baking surface. Brush lightly with olive oil and top with cheese, herbs, and seasonings.
Bake focaccia in preheated oven for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on desired crispness. If you like it moist and fluffy, then you'll have to wait just about 10 minutes. If you like it crunchier and darker in the outside, you may have to wait 20 minutes.

Garden update!

Thought it was time to give a little update on my "other babies!"
Our vegetable garden is coming along well, everything is is green and growing SO fast with all the rain and warm weather we've been having.


Here is a pic of my zucchini, squash and green beans. I'm going to construct a trellis from 2X2's and chicken wire so these plants can grow up instead of out. It'll make it easier at harvesting time as well as keep the plants off the ground so they won't be so susceptable to fungus, snails, etc...


Our fig tree has also come to life! It seems like overnight it was covered in those beautiful thick green leaves! I cannot wait to make lots of fig and strawberry preserves this summer (yes, you mix them together! It's divine!)

Haircut!

Little Danny was looking like a "Danielle" so I decided to give him a haircut! This is only the second haircut he has received and he is 2.3 years old! This kiddo seriously lacks in the hair growing department (but totally makes up for it with those beautiful big blue eyes!) John Paul thought it was quite novel that I was cutting his hair with scissors because when I cut the bigger boy's hair I do it with clippers. I'm just not ready to buzz off Danny's beautiful red locks!

Before:


...and after:

Good Friday

Virtual Pilgrimage
to the Stations of the Cross
in Jerusalem

http://www.jerusalemviacrucis.org/

Batter up!

This weekend was opening day for Minor League here in town. This is Kyle's first year on a *real* team. We've played baseball for years at the YMCA, but now Kyle is old enough (and talented enough, if I do say so myself!) to mix it up with the big boys! His team is the Astros and he could not be more proud! His first game he got a base hit and stole TWO bases! We skunked the other team 12 to 1!
Here's my boy in action: