This is the Ride that Never Ends....

On Saturday Honey Daddy and I completed our second century ride together. That's 100 miles on a bicycle, in case you didn't know!

That means the day before my birthday I reached my goal of completing three century rides this season. This was the most challenging century ride we did this summer. My honey was nice enough to ride nearly the entire ride with me, even though he is faster than I am and definitely better at climbing hills!

He even took some spectacular shots of me while he was waiting for me at the top. You can't tell from this picture, but this hill was about six miles of 8% grade or so. It was tough!

At least the scenery is nice while you are pedaling slowly up the mountain!

Then you get to the rest stop at the top of the hill and you think, "Hooray! I made it!" Then you turn the corner and see one more big hill!

The entire ride was hill after hill after hill! But my honey stuck in there with me. Isn't he a cutie?

I cut my honey loose at mile 80 and let him go at his own speed. I figured spending most of the day with me was birthday present enough. Plus he was there to cheer me on when I finished.

I have to say that riding a century ride certainly gives you a feeling of accomplishment! It also gives you a whole bunch of sore muscles... not to mention a sore tush! I think after doing a ride like this any cyclist deserves to park themselves under this sign temporarily:

Walk With Me

Long weekend... long bike ride... and today is my birthday!
I'll post about my 100 mile bike ride and my birthday later on this week.

I will say that one of the gifts I got for my birthday this weekend was a great camera bag. The one I had was too big to carry around conveniently. Now I can easily take my camera and lenses with me when I go walking with my boys. I will have to take a picture of the bag to show you what it is like.

Here are some pictures I took while out on a walk with my boys last week... before I had the nice bag and I had to carry my camera around my neck!

There is a tree near our house that is covered with acorns. At least I think they are acorns! I think they look pretty in the morning sunshine.

I also found some late fall bloomers. I liked how this photo turned out. I actually took it with my zoom lens, so I was pretty far away from the flowers but still managed a close-up.

And for my last macro, can you guess what this is?


My only hint is that it is something that we saw while walking in our neighborhood!

Bicycle Boy

You may be aware that Honey Daddy and I are cyclists. We both enjoy riding and it is definitely good exercise. I have a GPS for my bike, which I LOVE. It tells me everything! I love knowing how long and how far I've gone, what my average speed was, and how many calories I've burned.

Often when one of us gets back from riding, Honey Daddy and I will discuss how our ride went. Apparently our son has been paying attention to our little exchanges more than I had imagined!

Yesterday afternoon Jonah and I were out in the front yard. He was riding his tricycle down the sidewalk to the neighbor's driveway and back, while I watched him and folded some laundry.


After a minute Jonah pedaled up to me and we had a little chat.

Jonah: Mommy, I won the race!
Me: Great job!
Jonah: Did you see the other bicycle riders? They were trying to pass me, but I went around them and I won!
Me: You were pretty fast.
Jonah: Phew! It was hot out there today!
Me: It was?
Jonah: Yep. I burned 75 calories.
Me: Wow, that's a lot

How hilarious is that?!
Do you think he will grow up to be a cyclist too?

This weekend Honey Daddy and I are doing our last century ride of the year (that's 100 miles!). It will be my third one this year, just before my birthday on Sunday! I hope the ride goes well (and my birthday too!).


Hosted by Cecily and Sports Mama

Vacationing in Tucson

Last week Angie announced that as part of Wordful Wednesday she was going to offer a prompt for our posts and photos that we could chose to use if we wanted to.

Hmmm.... I thought. I guess that could be fun.

Then I read the prompt: What is your favorite travel destination? Show & Tell us about it.

My first though was... Well, I guess I will opt out of this week's prompt!

You see, I have never traveled anywhere exotic or interesting. I have never been out of the country... who am I kidding?! I've only been in about 10 states in my entire life (some of them only briefly).

Then as I got thinking about it, I realized that the destination did not have to be somewhere foreign or exotic. It just has to be a place that I love to visit. So I decided to participate in the prompt this week, and my chosen location is Tucson, Arizona.

I met my husband while attending graduate school in Tucson. It was so different from what I was used to! No leafy trees, very little grass, and so many sharp plants! I wasn't sure if I liked Tucson at all. Then I met my Honey Daddy, we were married six months later and I ended up living in Tucson for a couple of years.

Needless to say, my dislike turned into a love for the desert and its unique beauty. Now we live in Utah, but every Christmas we return to Tucson to spend the holidays with my husband's family and I look forward to the trip.

Last year as we traveled to Tucson, my oldest son was excited to see the "funny trees" they have down south. Somehow I know my vacation has started when we see Joshua trees and tall palms:

It is so nice to leave the snow and cold to travel to the city with over 350 sunny days per year. Last year my husband and I brought our bicycles with us so we could get some cycing in while we were on vacation. There are so many great places to ride, and some pretty nice views along the way.

I love to be able to take my boys to the park and play in the middle of the winter. The weather is spectacular, and so are some of the local plants.

These plants command respect, don't they?


Not all the plants are sharp and spiny, see:


I love the sunshine in the middle of the winter. I love to go hiking and biking in and around Tucson. I love to see the saguaros, ocotillo, palo verde trees, prickly pear cactus, and the orange, lemon and grapefruit trees. I love the sounds of the desert and the warm breezes. I love to visit Tucson.

Every year we somewhat reluctantly head home from out vacation loaded with Christmas presents. Inevitably we also bring home a ton of pecans and grapefruit from the trees at my in-laws house. Yummy, huh?

How could I not love to visit Tucson? It is my summer sun in the middle of the cold winter. It is one of my favorite travel destinations. What's yours?

The Bees Knees

I have been taking walks nearly every morning with my boys. I put them in the double stroller, strap on my camera, and off we go!

I love getting out in the fresh air! It is finally cool enough that I don't melt, and the boys like seeing new sights. Each day we walk is like a mini photo safari for me.

Just last week I saw some more bees, trying to get their buzzness done before winter comes. Either I was feeling more brave, or the bees were too busy to scare me... so I managed some of the best macros I have ever taken.

I love that you can see the bee's wings, eyes, legs, knees... everything! Who knew up close they are so beautiful?

It's a good thing the old adage is generally true. If you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone! I'm glad they don't really mind having their pictures taken. :o)

Hot Air Balloon

This week we have been going on walks in the morning when it is nice outside. Usually I take my camera along, just in case we see anything interesting.

One day early this week I thought about bringing my camera, but decided to leave it at home. Wouldn't you know that is the day when something interesting actually happens?!

While we were walking past a local school I noticed something over the top of the building. Then I realized what it was-- a hot air balloon!

Darn it! I couldn't believe I left my camera home!
But I walked the boys over and we watched the balloon for a little while. The announcer said they weren't going to let it go because of the nasty clouds and wind. After watching for a while we had to get home so we could make it to music class.

As we were walking home I glanced back towards the school-- and there it was up in the sky! So we ran home as fast as mommy could go (pushing a double stroller)! When we got to the house I ran inside, grabbed my camera, and put on my zoom lens. I managed a few pictures before it drifted back to the ground.

The school is quite a few blocks from our house, so I was pretty impressed that I was able to zoom in far enough to get these shots.

That was our excitement for the week. It isn't too often you see a hot air balloon practically in your own backyard, is it?!


Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy


Don't forget to check out my Fisher Price Tough Trike giveaway! (ends Sept. 27)

Sights of San Francisco (by Honey Daddy)

When Honey Daddy went to San Francisco for a conference earlier in the month I was a little bit jealous. Neither of us had been there before, and I knew that there were tons of cool things to see and do there... not to mention all the cool sites to photograph!

I was half-tempted to send him with my Canon XSi, but there was no way I could part with it! Plus I didn't want to risk it getting damaged. So I sent him with our little point and shoot instead.

Can I just say that he took some amazing photos?! My Honey Daddy is turning into quite the photographer!

This is one of my favorite shots! I have never seen a masted ship, and I think this photo is gorgeous.

One thing I didn't realize about San Francisco is how uphill-downhill everything is there! The intersections are about the only parts of the street that are level. Here is a picture that Honey Daddy took looking down a street (that he walked up!) from the middle of the crosswalk.


If you look closely (or click the photo) you can see the Bay Bridge in the water in the distance.

Of course you can't go to San Francisco without going to the Golden Gate Bridge. By some stroke of luck Honey Daddy visited on a day that was actually mostly clear and sunny! Check out these great pics.

I can't wait to go back and visit San Francisco with my Honey some day. Apparently he knows all the places to go to get great photos!

Honey Daddy got to walk on the Golden Gate Bridge, and he called me from the middle. Even though I wasn't there, it was nice that he was thinking of me. Here is another picture I love that he took while on the bridge. I just love the perspective on this one.

So what do you think? Are you impressed with my Honey too?


Don't forget to check out my Fisher Price Tough Trike giveaway! (ends Sept. 27)

Fisher Price Tough Trike Giveaway from All Children's Furniture

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Fall is my favorite season! There are so many great things about fall... changing leaves, pumpkins, fall décor, cool weather, and of course my birthday!

In honor of Fall (and my birthday!), I am hosting my very first giveaway! When I was contacted by All Children's Furniture to host giveaway for my readers, I knew just what I wanted to do since the weather is perfect for playing outside --giveaway a great outdoor toy!

All Children’s Furniture is a great online store that carries anything you could want to buy for your children (Christmas, anyone?). They have toys, kids chairs, beds, bedding, and décor... all for kids! Wow, right? That’s what I thought, too.

Win it!
CSN/All Children's Furniture has generously offered one of my fabulous readers their choice of one of the following Trikes by Fisher Price…

Fisher Price -Tough Trike Princess Trike

Fisher Price- Diego Tough Tricycle

Fisher Price- Dora the Explorer Tough Tricycle

To enter, visit All Children's Furniture and tell me something you would like to have in your household, other than the trikes mentioned above. **THIS IS REQUIRED!!**

Extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):
--Wish me a Happy Birthday!
--Follow this blog (or tell me if you already do!)
--Add my button to your site
--Blog about the giveaway. Just simply copy and paste the following into your post (and give me the link):

Honey Mommy is having a great toy giveaway sponsored by AllChildrensFurniture.com, who sells everything from kid's chairs to toys. Visit now to enter for your chance to win!

Please be sure I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway ends Sunday, September 27th (my birthday!) at midnight, MST. I will use random.org to choose a winner, and will post the winner on my site. The giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry my Canadian friends!).

The Caterpillars Under My Nose

Have you noticed that this summer BUGS seem to be a common topic on my blog? Do you think it might be because I have two little boys? Hmmm....

I am starting to think that I need to subtitle my blog: Honey Mommy, a.k.a Boys and Bugs!

Since Jonah is so fascinated by insects right now, I have been on the look out for a caterpillar. Now there is one bug that I personally find fascinating and not in the least bit revolting!

I thought it would be fun to keep a caterpillar, feed it leaves, and watch it make a chrysalis. Maybe we would even get lucky and get to see the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly!

I have been looking everywhere in my quest for a caterpillar. Any time we went on a walk we kept our eyes peeled. We looked in our yard and at the park. The only time I have ever spotted any caterpillars was when I was out on a long bike ride. When you are 10 miles from home on a bike it is hard to figure out where you are going to keep it until you get there, know what I mean?

So I had all but given up on finding a caterpillar this year. I thought we were getting too close to fall and winter, so we wouldn't find one. Then last week I was outside and decided to water my hanging petunias.

Wouldn't you know it was crawling with caterpillars!

So naturally I ran and got my camera first, and then got some mason jars. I caught three of the little guys that evening, and have since noticed at least four more that I have left on my plant! So basically my petunias have turned into a caterpillar sanctuary, and I didn't even notice until now!

Smile for the camera!

So we have three little caterpillars in jars and more on my plant. We are hoping to watch their life cycle here in the next couple of weeks. I am pretty excited about it, but definitely not as excited as Jonah! He has decided that the caterpillars are his new pets! (I even managed to let the leaf bug go without him even noticing!).

We really hope that we get to see butterflies at the end of our experience. Do any of you experienced mommies out there have tips to help us out?

Balancing Act

I love, love, LOVE this time of year!

It is finally starting to cool down a little bit! This means that we can actually play outside during the day and visit parks we haven't been to in a while because they aren't shady enough (for mommy, who would melt!).

Recently we visited what my kids call the "Castle park". It has wonderful wooden play equipment that my boys just love! We invited some friends to go with us and had a blast. It was wonderful to be outside, enjoying the cool breezes and the sunshine.

There was so much to do! Jonah and his friend Amelia loved playing the chimes.


Amelia and her little brother practiced their spelling with the alphabet blocks.



The kids enjoyed everything! The swings, the slides, the wood chips, the cool air, the sunshine. I took my zoom lens and managed to capture a shot of Jonah that I really love.

He is doing such a great job balancing on the beam don't you think?

For some reason this picture of my son achieving balance reminded me about my struggle sometimes in seeking a balance between my many roles -- wife, mother, friend, librarian, sister, daughter, teacher, student, individual. I have yet to find the perfect balance, but as long as I'm moving forward I figure I am making progress, right?

"Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."
--Robert Fulghum

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Laborious Labor Day

What did you do on Labor Day?

Fall is a busy time of year at our house because we have to do something with all the produce from our garden. So Monday we were pretty busy here at the Honey House!

We picked a few of these from our garden:


We actually ended up with 6 big bowls of tomatoes, which I quartered (which took an hour!) and ran through my strainer to get rid of the seeds and skins (almost another hour).

Then we added some of these from our garden.

Honey Daddy chopped up the peppers and onions while I was working on the tomatoes.

We turned all our home-grown, garden-fresh produce into this:

A big ole pot of salsa!

We boiled the salsa down. Then we spent most of the late afternoon and evening putting all that salsa into these:

Count 'em! 30 pints of salsa.

These beauties will soon be lining the shelves of my pantry. It's a good thing too! Did I ever tell you that Jonah loves salsa? After he eats it on his chips he asks me if he can drink the rest!

See, I'm not kidding you!

Would you believe after all that I still went on a 16 mile bike ride later that evening?!
Whew!

Bloomin' Onion and the Leaf Bug

Friday afternoon we went and picked Daddy up from the airport, and boy are we ever glad to have him home! We went out to dinner and spent a quiet evening at home... as quiet as it can get with two excited little boys bouncing off the walls!

Saturday was busy as ever! First we went and picked five LARGE bowls of tomatoes from the garden. Guess who will be canning salsa on Labor Day?!

While out in the garden I noticed that some of our onions have gone to seed. I have never seen them get to the point where they are growing baby onions, so of course I had to grab my camera and take a picture!

We weeded the garden too, and it looks much better now. Then Honey Daddy went and clipped the rose bushes. We still have a few holdouts adding color to our yard.

Earlier in the week we managed to accidentally catch another bug while we were picking peaches to make raspberry-peach jam. I am not sure, but I think this is a leaf bug.

I tried to convince Jonah that we should let the bug go, but that resulted in tears. He has decided that this leaf bug is his new pet and if we let him go we will never see him again!


I decided to pick my battles. So for now we gave the bug some leaves to eat and left him in the jar outside. Maybe in a couple of days Jonah will have lost interest and his pet bug can "escape" or something!