Gardening

So we started planting in our garden this Sunday, and did some more today.

A friend gave us this herb growing kit, so we did that.

Parsley, marjoram and chives.  

We put them in these bags so the sponge things they're growing in stay moist.

American backyard.  Clothes on the line, gardens, and white picket fences.

Melissa has her herb garden again this year.

Parsley and lavender from last year.

We started doing composting differently:  in a wire cage like this instead of a box on the ground, so it is kept away from animals, and has more air circulation.  Something like that.  

Ellie's Birthday Party

Here are some photos from my 15th birthday party.  

We went to the downtown part of Carrollton, and had a photo scavenger hunt in the antique store there.  Melissa did a really good job organizing it all.

We had to take a photo with a photo that looked remotely like you.

Visit from the O'Briens

Our long time friends, the O'Briens were able to visit us on Thursday and we had a very nice time together.  We ate delicious chicken alfredo that Melissa made.

Dad just told me that he used to call us the three musketeers.  

Mom and Mrs. Kathie had a nice time, I think.  They talked quite a bit.

haircuts

So today both Melissa and I got haircuts!  Our very generous friend cut our hair.

I'm donating my hair to Locks of Love to make wigs for kids who don't have hair.

I have a really short ponytail now.  3 or 4 inches.  It used to be like 15 inches long.  Like a whip.  I would turn my head fast, and hit people in the face with it.

So our hair is about the same length now- just above our shoulders.  We both really like it.

Ravioli

This is for Auntie Steph.  Because we finally made ravioli!  We used the cutters that she gave us.  

We also used this old pasta machine that Mom has had for a long time.  It worked really well, though, once we had it figured out.

We used a recipe that we found on the internet, I think, because we lost the recipe Auntie Steph gave us.

It was alot of fun making them.  Clara and I eventually figured out a good system, like an assembly line.

We also made fettucine with the leftover pasta dough, when there wasn't any of the cheese filling left.

The ravioli made a really yummy Valentine's dinner!

ice & flipflops

On Tuesday GFA was closed because of icy weather.  On Wednesday Dad went to work at noon; it was even more icy than before.  On Thursday we drank tea and hot cocoa to stay warm.  On Friday we wore coats to school, but slept without so many blankets.  On Saturday, we wore t-shirts and no socks as we cleaned the house.  

The weather changes so much.  It's strange.

Also on Wednesday, our dentist appointments were cancelled.  I was happy about that, because I don't like going to the dentist.  But that reminds me... my appointment was rescheduled for this week!  [Ellie is now dreading next Wednesday]

Last Thursday Melissa and I took senior photos for our friend Cally.

This is the one that will go in the yearbook.

Tomorrow, Sunday, Texas governor Rick Perry will be speaking at our church, First Baptist Church of Carrollton.  It's the "centennial year," because the church was founded in 1909.  

And it's also the Superbowl.  Who are you rooting for?

Next weekend Amy will visit!  For GFA's all-night prayer meeting, and to hang out with her family.  She and I might do something for my birthday (the 21st of February) since she probably won't be able to visit but once that month.

Mom, Melissa, Clara, and I went to the birthday party for our friends, twins Jenna and Asa.  They turned 3 on January 22.  It was fun to celebrate with them.

Tomorrow also marks (among many other things), the end of Girl Scout cookie selling season.  If you hurry up and try, you might be able to send an email to Clara ordering your favorites...

tea, glorious tea by melissa

I want to show you how to make my favorite drink, tea, the best way. 

you need: 1 french press

1 teapot with boiling water

several tablespoons of loose tea (the more the better). I am using earl grey this time; earl grey tea with roses from the New Mexico Tea Company. 

doesn't earl grey with roses sound like something the bennetts would have been drinking?

pour hot water into french press:

then steep for 3 to 5 minutes:

and steep...

and steep...

and stir...

and then french press it.

choose a favorite mug and add sugar:

pour hot tea into mug. 

and enjoy!

(and this is how it usually ends up: ellie and clara enjoying it as well)