Back in the Land of High Gas Prices

Our holiday was fantastic. Mr. Hummingbird and I traveled very well together, only getting slightly annoyed with each other a few times!

In our travels, we visited 3 different national parks, saw lots of interesting birds and frogs (though only one snake, that strangely enough happened to be eating a frog), ate tropical fruits including gargantuan avocados, drank tasty milky sweet espressos, and indulged in the local fried bread delicacies (all of which were stuffed with different combinations of ham and salty cheese).

We hiked up close to the world's tallest waterfall deep in the jungle and fought off voracious gnats that left itchy welts on parts of my leg, where when in public it's a bit too indecent to scratch.

We met some really interesting Venezueleans who were eager to discuss politics, local customs, and to point out EVERY bird that happened to fly by.

We took blasphemous photos of Hugo Chavez murals and religious altars (we didn't move TOO many offerings in the process!) Though I did stop myself from one photo opportunity that might have been over the top. Picture one of those statues where Jesus is holding the big cross over his shoulder while looking a bit bedraggled. In the cemetery, there happenend to be a loose cross lying on the ground next to a nearby grave. I'm pretty good at posing like statues . . .

We played the game "Real or Falso?" The number of unnaturally large and firm boobs keyed us into the fact that Venezuela is known for it's frequency of plastic surgery.

Although our gas may be quite a bit pricier, Venezuela wasn't any more car-centric than the U.S.

Now we're back. Time to get ready for the first days of school. There's so much to do before next week!

All Natural Birth Control

There's nothing like watching an all natural (read: NO drugs) home birth as an all-natural birth control method! I think I will likely opt for drugs when in the long term future my time comes to birth a baby.

Wow, what an absolutely INCREDIBLE experience to see someone being born. It's difficult to describe, and probably not something that others want to read, so I'll spare the details, but it was beautiful and I think I cried during the experience. The 4 year old was perfect, wasn't scared. He watched his sister being born, then got to cut her umbilical cord. A pretty neat story that he can tell the kids at preschool today, I'd say.

The baby doesn't have a name yet. Right now she's "baby sister." The 4 year old tried to make helpful suggestions like "Telephone," "Banana," "French Toast," and "Orange Juice." Can you tell what was on HIS mind after the 5:30am birth?

I'd say that 8-8-08 is a birthday that I won't forget! Congratulations to parents Ilil and Bryce and brother Lyell.

A life of Leisure

My summer of leisure is soon to come to an end. I could quite possibly do this for a longer while. Sleeping in until 8am, crafting the day away, reading into the wee hours of the night, going to the beach to collect rocks with friends, organizing (!), baking and all the little things that I now have some time to do. I almost got bored last week, but have now gotten into the groove. Hmm, I WOULD probably get bored sooner rather than later, with nothing to do, but for now, it's kind of nice!

But this is the last week, then it's travels (yay!) and back to school upon my return. I suppose I should start to get my mind back on school soon.

How to Make a Thai Dinner in a Box care package

Yesterday over a yummy breakfast of blueberry oatcakes, Mr. Hummingbird and I were discussing the care packages that his mom used to send him when he was in college. I LOVE care packages, both giving and receiving them. So I decided to make one for each of his 2 younger sisters. The idea is born!

Then you have to come up with a theme. Thai food. Who doesn't love it?

Hmmm, now how do you send Thai food to Arizona and Washington without it getting cold, or the greasy bits soaking through the paper? Recipes and ingredients to make it yourself. We came up with 3 recipe ideas, Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, and Thai Iced Tea. I bought some of the less-easily found-in-places-that-are-not-the-Bay-Area ingredients (lemon grass, Thai curry paste, galangal, rice noodles). I made a little drawstring pouch for each, and included recipe cards and a "puzzle card." (Thanks for teaching me how to make those fabulous little folding cards Abigail!!)

Viola! Two ready made Thai Dinner in a Box care packages.

Yay!