Yummy...

I finally found a recipe for a similar cucumber salad I remember eating in the Czech Republic. I minus the garlic (but if you want to try the Hungarian version go ahead). You can also use a small amount of dill seed which accomplishes the right flavor, if you don't have fresh dill. I found this recipe at thehungariangirl.com:

Cucumber Salad

Also known as uborka salata in Hungarian, this salad is a common side dish that can be served with a bowl of goulash or a plate of chicken paprikas. It has a very light and refreshing taste. I always love to eat this during the hot summer months.

Serves 4- 6.

Ingredients

For the dressing

5 tablespoons sugar
2 cups water
½ cup vinegar

For the cucumber salad

3 large cucumbers peeled and thinly sliced
1 clove of garlic, chopped (optional if you prefer a stronger taste)
¼ cup of fresh dill
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For the dressing, use a small bowl to dissolve the sugar in water. Add vinegar and complete the dissolving. Set aside.

In a large bowl, wash, peel, and thinly slice the cucumbers. Season generously with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes. Pour dressing over the cucumbers until just covered. Add the garlic and dill. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight if possible before serving.

Serve chilled.

So you're turning ten?

Yep,

You don't believe me?

Ha, Ha!

It's really true!

Happy Birthday, ALLY!

'cause Daddy said!

Ben claims that he had this fun tradition as a kid to play with shaving cream on the lid of the toilet. When my kids asked me if they could play in shaving cream, I didn't see any harm in it.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SO FUUUUUUN!!!!

WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO?

I LET THEM TALK ME INTO THIS?

Not even Hyrum thought it was a good idea by the end.

Little did I know they would give me a really good reason to give the table a good cleaning!

I have to admit that face painting was my idea. Each of the kids had a go at my face. Okay so even I let down my guard sometimes...

Sammie's a pretty good artist don't you think? This is her "bee" turned "butterfly"!

Ben and I may not always agree on what's fun and what's not, but we can always agree that the kids will make the most of it. Fun, in their case, is an understatement!

from the eyes of a child

I would have never even considered letting "Bubby" (aka. Hyrum) use the camera if we would have still been in the "roll of film" era. But as you can see he's a pro, as pro as most 2 year olds go!

Test of Patience

I thought my kids tested my patience, but this "new" house thing is getting the better of me. There are still no formidable answers, but we decided to document it anyway. (Notice that the grass is dead. It's taking them--the mortgagers--too long to decide if we are a good fit.)

Here is our DREAM:

Here is how we are feeling NOW:

God Bless the U.S.A.

AMERICA, a place where you can grow up to be anything you want to be!

AMERICA, a place where anything is possible!

AMERICA, a place where we DON'T have to use hot air balloons to escape!

AMERICA, a place where we can walk hand-in-hand!

AMERICA, a place where justice prevails! (Kayla, what are you doing in there?)

AMERICA, a place where freedoms are celebrated!

AMERICA, a place where dreams are realized!

AMERICA, a place where people from all walks of life and places are welcome!

"AMERICA, we pledge allegiance to thee!"

AMERICA, a place of plenty!

HAPPY

FOURTH
OF JULY

2009

Sammie turns the big 5

(The Party planners)

So before you know what became of Sammie's birthday party, I felt I had to quote her today saying, "Well, I didn't even get to plan my own birthday party. Everybody else did it for me." I'm not sure what compelled her to say that, but I must disclose that everything we planned (meaning the older kids and I) was agreed to wholeheartedly by yours truly.

Now that you've had the 411, just sit back relax and enjoy...drum roll please...SAMMIE IN WONDERLAND!

Hot teapot, Hot teapot, Who's got the teapot?

If you've got the Hot teapot, you are out!

Sammie and her cake before the tragic attempt

at lighting the candles in a windstorm.

I finally convinced everyone to move inside

where SHE was finally able to blow out her candles.

INCOMING!!!!

You're welcome, Sammie! Have a great year!