{ Snow Play }

{ Snow on the Mountains }

Here's what the mountains looked like this morning. Looks like a snow play day is in our near future.

{ To eat like a Viking }

There was no school today, due to severe cutbacks in the district. I took the kids to the library to kill some time in between planting a garden. My son really loves vikings, and we recently started to read more about them. So, today at the library, he found a book of Viking recipes. He was so excited to try some viking fare. We decided to make oatcakes with fruit topping for snack. Here's how we made them:

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup oats (next time try 1/2 cup)
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp canola oil (no vikings didn't have canola, lol, next time use butter)
1/2 cup water
1 TBS honey

Mix ingredients an knead for a minute or so. Set aside for about half an hour to rest. It won't rise, no baking soda/yeast. In the meantime,

Peel and core an apple and cut it up into very small pieces. Add about 1/2 cup of frozen mixed berries. Place into a small saucepan and add about 1 TBS honey. Now heat until bubbly while mashing. Let cool.

When the oatcake dough is ready, divide into 8 portions. Roll into balls and press flat with your hands. Now, oil your cast iron skillet and heat to med-high heat. Cook the cakes for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and top with fruit topping. I thought they were pretty good. I could just imagine cooking these over an open fire. For more Viking food see here.

{ City Hall Inaugural }

We went to the grand opening of the city hall in December. I is a beautiful building that evokes Santa Barbara design. We were really impressed, and had fun visiting the counsel chambers, media room, traffic control room and various offices, including the mayor's office.



{ Baketball DD }

My daughter started a week after my son in basketball, but her level goes to the playoffs in March! They are a great little team, especially since the majority have never played before and are not extremely tall. One team they played had a bunch of really tall girls. Hmm. Anyway, she loves playing the game, and she' improving all the time.

{ Basketball DS }

The kids started basketball in November. These are my son't first two games of the season back in December. He is learning a lot about the game. I'm so proud of what a great team player he is.

I took this picture after the first game, out the window of the car as we drove home. It was stormy then and the clouds were alway making such beautiful patterns in the sky. I need to get out and take more next time.