The following conversation took place as we drove by our public swimming pool.

Kinsley: Mama, did God make the swimming pool?

Mama: No, not exactly. But he did help the people who made it know how to make it.

Kinsley: Did God tell the people, “Put yucky water in the swimming pool”?

Mama: No, the water in the pool is very nice water!

Kinsley: Then I can drink the water in the pool.

Mama (beginning to see where this conversation is headed): No, you can’t drink the water, Kinsley!

Kinsley: Well then, I guess the water is yucky.

Here are a couple runners-up (above). Below are a couple of non runners-up.

The next photo reminds me of an album cover for some oldies style album. Something like Beach Babe in the Field.

The Lonesome Hill Gang is about to cut their first CD, and we went up there this week to take photos for the cover art. We took over three hundred photos, and they have narrowed it down to three. The above photo is one of the finalist. Below are the other two.

So what do you think?

I’ll post some of the runners-up later on.

This year, we were (once again) given passes to the swimming pool by my parents and grandparents. It’s so nice, as the swimming pool is within easy walking distance, and this year, has been very un-crowded.

Kinsley calls this “the big pool without the fish”. She periodically checks whether there are sharks, crabs, fish, crawdads, snakes or turtles in the water. Just to be safe, you know. Other than that bit of caution, she throws caution to the wind, once in the pool.

Their land personalities switch, once at the pool. Sophie pretty much does this the entire time:

Kinsley swims, jumps, splashes, and generally has the time of her life.

Sophie waits for us to be done.

I coax her into the pool,

and she’s out of there as fast as she can go.

Kinsley continues to enjoy every moment,

and Sophie waits for common sense to return.

Looking through old photos and videos this morning, I stumbled on this video of Kinsley, taken in in July 2006. Aww, gee!

I know that the title sounds - well… practical, but trust me, this salsa is amazing! It’s from The Paupered Chef, but I think he got the recipe through a friend, who got it from The Grocery Guy, but this recipe isn’t the one you’ll find on The Grocery Guy’s site. But you can read all about it over at The Paupered Chef.

It’s the perfect recipe for anyone who is currently paupered, or at least attempting to avoid pauperism, as the ingredient list is very simple.

Soak 12 or so guajillo chilies in bowl filled with boiling water for 30 minutes. When done, remove the stems and the seeds. Toss in a blender with a 28 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes, 1 bunch of cilantro, 1/2 an onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and the juice of 3 limes. Blend until smooth. Season well with salt. Let it cool in the fridge to temper the insane heat.

So that’s it. Very simple. We have enjoyed the flavor when I double or triple the garlic, but then we really love garlic. I haven’t been able to locate guajillo chiles around here, but I have successfully used dried ancho chiles and New Mexico red chiles. Both were very good. Neither the ancho chiles or the New Mexican chiles were very spicy, and we enjoyed it more when we left some of the seeds in the chiles. The kids were still able to enjoy the salsa, but it brought the heat up to about a medium. I want to try the recipe with fresh tomatoes and see how it turns out.

What’s your favorite salsa recipe?

“The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; …the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained…” George Washington, First Inaugural, April 30 1789

Our Fourth of July was spent with family and friends. We checked out some cool, classic cars, listened to a good bluegrass band, and of course, watched fireworks.

This was Kinsley’s favorite car on the lot.

Sophie pretty much just ate, and clung to me like a monkey.

In anticipation of the firework show…

And the actual firework photos: