science fairs

a couple of weeks ago i went to my niece and nephew's elementary school science fair.  it was entertaining to see the projects which had obviously been done by the parents as opposed to the ones that were clearly done by the kids. for example, one 7 year old had two large pieces of metal with electric currents shooting between them, while another kid did her project on what would happen if you spit on five pieces of melon and left them out of the refrigerator for a week.  evie did her project on how plants react when they do and do not have sunlight:

that poor little plant on the left makes me feel so sad.  but she was very proud:

we also checked out the kindergarten class projects, since one of evie's friends told her that a kindergartner thinks she's "hot".  we wanted to scope him out.  she wouldn't tell us which boy, though.  also she doesn't know what "hot" means.   anyway, on the way to the kindergarten class i passed a drawing that lukas did of grover cleveland.

he looks like the man who called the computer "devil machine".  more on that later.

lukas did his project on which brand of gum blows the biggest bubble.

here he is being his usual charming self:

we had fun.  

that is sort of an abrupt ending, but i just got really tired and i want to finish the hound of the baskervilles before i fall asleep.  i will write more tomorrow maybe!

when will spring come?

today it hailed quite a bit.  that figures because yesterday i finally got around to planting grass seed along the side of the house, so that i could repair the damage the yard has suffered as a result of cole's enormous paws.  hopefully it was not for nothing.  i am very ready for spring - i have big plans for the garden this year.  last spring i planted 3 zucchini plants, a beginner gardener's mistake, which resulted in an over abundance of zucchini, literally 3 or 4 a day for a month.  this year i will plant only 1 zucchini plant, along with broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and hopefully potatoes.  i've already started the broccoli and snap peas from seed, in my mini greenhouses:

they are mini greenhouses on account of being covered with plastic bags, thus trapping the moisture and heat.  soon little baby broccoli and peas will appear, and it will be adorable.  if anyone wants one, please let me know.  we could trade vegetable starters.

speaking of adorable, cole and julius have become friends:

gustav feels left out:

in other cute animal news, cole's crate has been taken over by the cats.  we don't actually put cole in the crate anymore, since he's proven himself trustworthy enough to roam free in the house while we're away without eating the cats.  he does still like to hang out in there sometimes, though, just for fun. he will now have to fight julius and gustav for that right:

poor cole.  life is so hard.

also, i have been baking crazy.  

cupcakes with an almond frosting (i think maybe the most delicious thing i've ever made):

and hot molten lava cakes with a creme fraiche topping:

i would be happy to pass along the recipes if anyone is interested.