I know why...

...the caged bird sings.


Haley and I sat down to do watercolors the other day. I had this picture in my mind of this regal wrought iron bird cage on a beautiful scrolled stand with the most darling bluebird sitting inside, singing.

What came out onto paper was elementary, to say the least.
It turned out terrible.
'Cause I'm no artist.

But, while I was looking down at the finished page, one of the most beautiful poems popped into my head.

I know why the caged bird sings
by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.

But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.



Beautiful words. Moving, don't you think?

Summer is whizzing by. Is it for you, too?

I've barely had time to craft or bake, let alone blog.

But today my friends, I did both!! I gave myself some 'me' time and boy, did it ever feel good.

Here's what I made:



Almost Starbucks Blueberry Oatmeal Bars.

Each bite was accompanied by a small, but audible- mmmmmm. Seriously. Would I lie to you? Absolutely not.

And now I have a whole 11x7 dish of these bars. Sweet.glorious.pleasure.


* 1 3/4 cup Quaker Oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
* 1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans. of course =)
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup butter; melted
* 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 3 tablespoons water
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 2 teaspoons lemon juice



1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease 11x7-inch baking pan
3. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda and salt
4. Add butter, mixing until crumbly.
5. Reserve 3/4 cup mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of prepared dish.
6. Bake 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, combine blueberries, granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan.
8. Bring to a boil, simmer 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon water, cornstarch, and lemon juice; mix well. Gradually stir into blueberry mixture; cook and stir about 30 seconds or until thickened.
9. Spread over partially baked base to within 1/4 inch of edge; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Press topping down into blueberries slightly.
10. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
11. Cool on wire rack; cut into bars. Store tightly covered.



I'm staring at an empty plate void of a mere crumb. I'm hoping that I can show some restraint tomorrow. =)

WW: Sandbox

The reason I find sand throughout the whole house
after a stint in the sandbox.


Crabby patty.


If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

Happy WW!
-Jen

I want to win this!!

I could put Nick & my niece in the back and go for bike rides!

I could ride up to the store and have a place for my goodies that I purchase.

Hubby could ride, I could sit in the back. Hahaha. Nahh, but that would be a good wordless wednesday pic wouldn't it?!

How cool would it be to win this baby??

Contest ends tomorrow.

{crossing fingers}

Woo-hoo! It's my 34th Birthday!!
Happy Birthday to me! =)

no.1

New iron-on monograms from Hobby Lobby.
A buck-fifty each.
oooh-la-la.

My little guy putting his shoes on all by himself.
Who cares that they're on the wrong feet?!

New glasses.
Oh my goodness-- I love these things.
A total steal at $1 each!!

My B-day present!
We've been making s'mores like crazy folk.
Seriously.
Crazy folk.

Who knew backyard fire pits/chimeneas were soooooo much fun?!

Aloha Friday!

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Are you living in your dream home? Are you happy with the place you live?

Me? I used to think I could retire in this house we're in now, but honestly I'd love to sell it!

Hubby and I dream of a house (not a huge house with lots of space to clean) but a medium-sized house with lots of acreage-- enough land to run as fast as you can as far as you can and still have room left.

Land with a natural creek so the guys could fish, and maybe a place to build a little building that I could turn into a store and fill with pastries, cupcakes and all sorts of local artistry- pottery, jewelry, candles and such.

Ahhh, dreams. =)


Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen