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We spent Friday night at the Robert Mitchell Speedway south of Fairbanks, tag line: "Thunder on the Tundra." You can't make this stuff up. This is the bomber class who, true to form, started the race with 17 cars and ended with 8. The rest either crashed or started smoking too badly to continue, and one person ended up with a tire bent completely sideways so it was flat against the ground. Good times.

These are the sprint cars. I'll bet they were more than a bit worried about crashing into someone they couldn't see.

This guy crashed into a wall in the first race, lost most of his hood, and came back for the second race. He did not finish the second race due to the copious amounts of black smoke coming from his engine.

We just started going to the races last summer. They've really become a summer guilty pleasure (like our nightly ice cream cones). Summer rules.

R had the lovely idea yesterday to have lunch at a local cafe located in a greenhouse. It is the prettiest little place, doubly so because it was out of the near-constant rain we've had lately. Come on summer! Time is running short here!

I do see things clearing up outside. I'm hoping for a trip to the Botanical Gardens this week and would sure welcome some sunshine!

cooking

• I made these cinnamon rolls for breakfast today on R's request. ("I think I'd like you to bake me something this weekend…") They are a winner!

• I found these hasselback potatoes through stumbleupon. (Aside: stumbleupon is a fun little app that learns which sites you like and finds you more of the same, among other things.) They look amazing, and led me to the great food blog sea salt with food.

• As it doesn't look like we'll be doing much camping, and our condo association doesn't allow fires (why not? ;), I may be making these s'more cookie bars soon. I love marshmallow fluff too much.

• I love these ideas for lazy summer lunches. They remind me of the egg carton "snack lunches" my mom used to make.

• R and I have been having salad and homemade bread maybe 3 days a week. Easy, and not much cooking required. I've tried out a few of these grain salads and have liked all of them. (R- "Were having bulgur wheat salad for dinner? Really?")

things to make and do

• Here are some cute ideas for crafting while hiking/walking/exploring outdoors. I love the idea of combining the crafts with the outdoor experience.

• I will be making some of these cute, easy teething toys for the next friend who has a baby.

• I haven't sold R on the idea of a compost pile yet, and she'd never go for worms, but I still love this cheap and easy worm bin. Classroom, perhaps? Red wigglers are expensive, though.

• The official tooth fairy kit is so stinkin' cute it will make you want kids just so you can use it. I mean, it includes an envelope and tooth "deposit slips." Awesome.

Have a great week! Happy link-following!

Homemade bread, strawberry freezer jam and fresh-ground coffee for breakfast? Don't mind if I do…

Happy Saturday!

Dear Cats,

I'd certainly prefer that you not vomit at all, but if you are going to do so please choose a spot on the tile or laminate floor. Not on a rug. And definitely, not ever, on my bed.

And if you ever did vomit on my bed, you'd absolutely want to make sure to get it on as few surfaces as possible. Not on the duvet. And also the comforter. And also the top sheet. And also the bottom sheet. And also the pillowcase. And also the pillow. And also the mattress. Yes, that would be completely unacceptable.

As someone who's changed sheets, washed a comforter, slept under a fleece airplane blanket and flipped a mattress at 11:30 p.m., I feel I have the right to make these requests. Thanks much.

Love,
Mama