We took the kids and their new bikes to Balboa Island and across the ferry. It was a beautiful day, a bit cold, but clear and sunny. It felt like vacation.

A friend of Valerie, my sister-in-law, found this cute little guy in the rain last week. He decided it needed a home and we were it. He has had many names, but Orange Stewart seems to be sticking. Nala doesn’t seem to mind too much, and for the most party they are getting along. What a fun Christmas present.
Thanks Auntie.
xxoo

http://savetrestles.com/
Woo HOO!! Grass roots really does work. Toll road project has been rejected. The waves are small and the water’s frigid, but it’s a glorious day for surfers and environmentalists, and for state parks, and for all who opposed the effort to erect the Foothill South toll road through part of San Onofre State Beach near San Clemente.
I attended both hearings, and was amazed by the turn out. So many people took time out of their day to support something they truely believe it. Thanks everyone!! Read more

I showed Finnegan the photos of  the Manhattan Beach pumpkin races that a friend had sent, and he decided he wanted to do this for his birthday.

It was a bit of work getting enough wheels, but thanks for a kind soul off of Craigslist, I found most of them, and got a few from an old skate rink in Texas.

I think the kids had fun. I sure did.
Anyway, check out the photos here.

Race Video.
smashing pumpkins video

What to do will all of the veggies from my farm basket. This is an easy dressing recipe that just about everyone will like.
What you need:
1 med anaheim chili pepper, roasted, peeled, seed
1/8 cup of pin nuts, roasted
1 large garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of pepper
6 oz salad oil (veggie oil)
1/8 cup of red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 small bunch of cilantro, stemmed.
3/4 cup of mayo
1/8 cup of water
What to do
Place all ingredients except cilantro, mayo and water in the blender or processor.
Blend approx 10 seconds, then add cilantro little by little until blended smooth. Place water and mayo in a large mixing bowl,a nd mix with a wire whip until smooth. Add the blended ingredients and mix throughly. Place in an air-tight container and it will last three days.

Finnegan’s birthday is 23 days after Quinn’s and I want to make his party just as special, but after hers and then Halloween, and with Thanksgiving and Christmas looming around the corner, my ideas and time seem to run a bit short.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, my friend sent me a link to her photos from the Manhattan pumpkin races. So that is what we are doing. And, if you have old skate, skate boards, inline, or any other type of wheels, send them over, I need about 60 wheels.

Also, to keep my theme of less plastic, I order balsa wood airplanes from guillow. And they are even manufactured in the USA!

Anyway, pumpkins are on sale, and I was promised they should last well past Thanksgiving, and keep your fingers crossed for me. : )

I bought a smart power strip about two months ago, and simply love this thing. I have all of my computer devices, speakers, printer, etc, plugged into it, and when I shut down my computer, it turns EVERYTHING off for me. What a great and simple solution to saving energy. It even goes one step beyond that. It also stops the wasted idle power that is still used when a device is turned off but still plugged in.

Go green this holiday season, I’m sure everyone on your list could use one of these.

Google smart strips to find more, or click here read about them on treehugger.

I purchased the Smart strip power strip.

Quinn is a free spirt. So free she decide to draw on our the lovely carpet. Thankfully it was with a washable marker. I”m not really sure what she was drawing. I had her repeat our mantra, we draw only on paper, not on walls, not on carpet (newly added), only paper.

I’m thrill that Obama won and have been glued to the tv watching the election coverage, and Obama’s acceptance speech as well as McCain’s concession speech. What an amazing time in history we are living in. I know President elect, Obama has a difficult road ahead, and so many people in our country and around the world expect so much. But with his determination, tenacity, and ability to lead, I do believe he will be our next great president.

Once again I have HOPE!

Thanks everyone for voting, no matter who you voted for.