Our TV is deadsies

This beauty died yesterday:

I know what you are thinking: "Afton, that tv is from 1995, of course it died.  I am surprised it lasted until yesterday."  At least that is what I am thinking, if you aren't.

I am actually kind of excited about not having a tv for a while.  The only downside is that I was really into Wimbledon, and seriously watching like 6 hours of it a day, and now I will just have to rely on updates on the internet.  (On the other hand, maybe it is an upside that I won't be watching 6 hours of tennis a day?)

Glenn and I are really excited about the Olympics, so it would be cool if we could get a tv by then.  If those weren't coming up, I would probably try to convince Glenn that we don't really need a tv at all.  So if we don't get a tv by the Olympics, it won't be the end of the world, but we are checking out craigslist until then!

p.s.  I bought a manioc root.  I am making it for dinner tonight.  Google that if you want to be impressed by my sense of adventure.

What is going on with Glenn

As you now, this blog is titled "Glenn, Afton, Violet."  Obviously most of the posts focus on the "Violet" part.  Also, the "Afton" part gets plenty of attention as well.  The "Glenn" parts is often sadly neglected.  Occasionally I get around to telling you what he is up to (like here, here, and here) but it has been a while, and it's time to update you again.

Here is a picture of a picture Glenn sent me from school the other day:

His classmates really wished they could have gone hiking with him, I guess!

Yum, Lunch!

I made myself THE BEST lunch a couple of days ago.  I saw this recipe on a blog, and within an hour had been to the grocery store, made the salad, and was eating it.  

It had tons of veggies, rice noodles, cashews, and a really light coconut milk, red curry, and lime dressing.  Here's the thing:  I made it for my friend and I to have for lunch, so it was a pretty big salad.  But then she couldn't come over.  And I ate the whole thing by myself, no problem.  But you don't have to feel guilty about eating tons of salad, right?  (even if your salad was heavy on the cashews and rice noodles?)

Violet and Zebra take a walk

As you know, Violet took her first steps a couple of weeks ago.  Yesterday, she walked so much we were able to get it on video!  She was walking all over the house!  I think I can now say I have a toddler!

Escondido Falls

We went hiking this weekend and had the best time.  At this time of the year in Arizona, we would be hiding out in the air conditioning, but thanks to the amazingly nice weather here, it was the perfect day for a hike!  

We just looked online for an easy hike, since we knew Glenn would have to carry Violet the whole way, and found this one about 15 miles north of Santa Monica.  So it took us about 45 minutes to drive there, but it was such a beautiful drive up the coast!  

We borrowed a baby carrier especially for hiking from our friends, and it was so nice.  Violet really seemed to enjoy riding it, and Glenn said didn't feel heavy at all.

It was about two miles to the falls, and then two miles out, of course.  The path was so green and shady, and crossed over the creek a lot of times.  The falls were less than impressive.  I guess there is a lot more water in the spring.  In this picture, we are right in front of the water fall, and you can barely see it.  You could see it slightly better in real life though.

We just rested and ate banana-pumpkin muffins at the falls, and then turned around and headed back!  We can't wait to do it again when my parents are visiting next month!  A few more pictures for good measure:

(yes, Violet kind of has a mullet.  Someday soon she will get a haircut.)

The gaping hole in my literary education

I'm embarrassed to say this, but the are two major categories of books that I've never read. 

1.  I have never read anything by Charles Dickens

2.  And I have never read anything by a Russian.

So I decided to start reading A Tale of Two Cities.  I have started this book at least five times, but now I am on page 39, which is way farther than I have ever gotten before. 

 Here are my opinions about it so far.  It is confusing!  After I read the first three chapters, I had to go read the sparknotes for those chapters to make sure I understood what was going on!  Fortunately, I was right about what I thought was happening, so now I am reading with more confidence.  Secondly, it is boring.  Like SO boring.  Someone please tell me it becomes less so?  Soon?

Naan

I think it was the last time I posted about making Indian Butter Chicken that my cousin Camille (hi Camille!) commented something like:

"You should try making your own naan!  I promise you won't regret it!"

Well, I did it.  And I did not regret it.

Seriously, it was the best naan EVER!  Better than any naan from a restaurant we have ever had.  And it wasn't hard at all!  It takes about an hour and a half to rise, but other than that is really fast to make.  I served it with the good ol' Indian Butter Chicken, and Glenn and I thought we'd died and gone to heaven.  And maybe Violet thought that too, because she chowed down on the naan as well.

And the best part is, there are leftovers for lunch today!

Here is the recipe:

Naan

• 1/2 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/4 cups bread flour
• 
  
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

1.  Let the yeast wake up in the warm water.  Add the other ingredients besides the melted butter.  Knead for a while.  Let it rise in the bowl for an hour.

2.  Roll the dough into six balls, and let them rise for half an hour.

3.  Roll out a dough ball and put it in a hot, oiled skillet.  Brush the top with melted butter.  Flip it when the bottom is light golden brown.