Sand Castle Competition

Aquatennial, a water festival in Minneapolis, was this weekend. I went with my old roommates Erin and Nikki today to check out the sand castle competition at Lake Calhoun. We didn't stay long enough to find out who won, but they all were really well done. This takes a lot of talent!

This one above represents the movie The Mummy

This one ^^^ was my favorite

You maybe can't see this one very clearly, but it's title was "Got Gas?". There are 3 people with their butts hooked up to a car. On their backs, one says "Unleaded", another says, "Ethanol", and the other one I'm not sure.

Saving Gas

Just came across some interesting stuff on the Carbonrally website. I went to fueleconomy.gov to investigate more. On our trip home from southern Wisconsin last weekend, Dad and I were discussing/commenting/pondering at the benefits on gas mileage of going a few miles per hour slower. Turns out:

"While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas.

Observing the speed limit is also safer."

I like the plug on the last line haha.

CarbonRally.com also says:

"You get fewer miles per gallon. For every 5 mph over 60 mph, your vehicle’s miles per gallon drops about 7%. On a 200 mile trip, an average car driving at 75 mph instead of 65 mph burns an extra 1.6 gallons, costs an additional $6.50, and releases an additional 30 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere."

WHO KNEW?
well, maybe you did.

support and Grandpa

Grandpa Barnes passed away on Sunday, July 6th. It took us all by surprise, yet it is peaceful knowing that he's with God and Grandma. I figure that's a pretty good combination. Yet I have to admit, I wasn't (and am still not completely) ready to let him go. I loved Grandpa so dearly, and he really touched my heart. I have countless memories from childhood that involve gpa, like being out at the lake and playing in his office, counting bluebird eggs at Lake Wissota and learning to waterski. I will cherish those memories forever. I also have a fresh batch of memories; those from the past couple of years when Grandpa's health was declining and he was weaker. The memories I have from this time, especially the past year, are from visits we had when I really got around to appreciating his wisdom. The last time I saw Grandpa was 2 weeks before he died, when we spent a large chunk of the day together at the Emergency Room in Sacred Heart Hospital. Grandpa was in fairly good spirits when I was with him, and we actually had a great visit with good conversation. It was several hours later when the nurses told Grandpa that he really shouldn't be talking much as it decreased his strength. I felt guilty for having engaged him in conversation about setting up house on Lake Wissota, although now I wouldn't take back that day for anything. He was an extraordinary man, and will be missed.





I discovered another plus of working with kids- they have an ability to affect you in a positive way without even trying. I came back to work at Jackson Elementary School on Monday after having been home for the previous week to be with the fam, and received a batch of homemade sympathy cards. They are adorable, and touched me so much!!! I am going to really miss the kids in my classroom, they just have beautiful, untainted hearts.

Miss Betty Crocker Jr

Some of you may know that my mom earned the title of Betty Crocker in high school, beating out stiff competition and skipping class to earn a trophy of Miss Betty herself, proudly hoisting a freshly iced cake toward the heavens. Well, as the daughter and grandaughter of great cooks/bakers, I feel it is my duty to keep on keepin on. I also feel VERY fortunate to have grown up in a family that LOVES food. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and I certainly do savor it. Now, while I can't say that I have yet fully developed into the same caliber cook/baker as the Barnes and Goessling women before me, I can say that I try.


I've recently gotten into making banana bread... mostly because I live in a college house and we tend to not eat all of our bananas before they turn brown and gross. Hence, banana bread! I made the latest loaf sometime last week and it turned out great. Then, on Saturday afternoon I decided to make chocolate chip cookies... Turns out that sometimes I get SO excited about becoming a culinary wizard that I forget to read the recipe. I put in baking powder, instead of baking soda. Well, I discovered this slip-up as I was putting the first sheet into the oven. I thought I was going to get disastrous results and was prepared for the worst. Now, at this point of my story, all 0f you more advanced bakers may know more than I did about how they would turn out. Which was great!! They are delicious. My only complaint is that they are a bit more crumbly and all fall apart. BUT, if you don't mind eating your cookies in pieces, I'm your girl!!

This morning I went to the farmer's market in Minneapolis and got a bunch of fresh veggies, which is always exciting! I just whipped up some enchiladas and Spanish rice. The rice is a first for me, but it turned out great.

I work/volunteer at a library 2 afternoons a week. There are often no kids to read with/play games with... so I've developed a new hobby of copying recipes down from cookbooks. I spotted a "Best of the Bake-Off" Chocolate cookbook that will be tomorrow's task. I'll keep you posted on my future culinary creations (or attemps) :)

Happy 4th!