So now I have more tomatoes than I know what to do with - we are picking one of these full every other day. Here is another family favorite tomato recipe.

Mom's Tomatoes & Mozzarella

4 large tomatoes

1 clove garlic

1 tblsp wine vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

3 tblsp olive oil

scallions

1/2 cup chopped parsley

pepper

fresh mozzarella

Mix together garlic, vinegar, salt. Add olive oil and mix. Pour 2/3 mixture over tomatoes. Scatter onions, parsley and pepper. Slice fresh mozzarella and place on top of tomatoes and pour rest of dressing over. Enjoy!

FINALLY! We have red tomatoes! For a while, I was doubting whether or not we'd be able to use any of the hundreds of tomatoes we have....they've been green forever, and it seemed like more just kept growing without any turning. But alas, they have started to turn. We actually went out and picked enough last night to make some Herbed Tomatoes with dinner. This is my grandmother's recipe and it is so yummy:

Memere's Herbed Tomatoes

6 Ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced (I do not peel mine, just slice 'em)

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 cup snipped parsley

1/4 cup snipped chives

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup vinegar

Place tomatoes in bowl, sprinkle seasoning and herbs. Combine oil & vinegar, pour over. Cover and chill for 3 hours, spooning dressing over a few times. Enjoy!

So, are you wondering what to do with all the pool noodles leftover from summer water play? Why, make Marble Launchers, of course! Your kids will love making and putting their special touches on their own raceway.

Here's what you need:

Pool noodle (in any color!)
Toothpicks and Skewers
Paper
Crayons or Markers
Clear Tape

Instructions

1. Have a grown-up cut the pool noodle in half lengthwise.
2. Use skewers to join the halves, side by side.
3. Make paper banners by cutting them out and decorating them with raceway checker patterns. Be sure to make a 'start' banner and pennants to place along the raceway.
4. Tape the banners to toothpicks or skewers and set them in place along the raceway.
5. Prop up one end of the track and launch the marbles.

So, are you wondering what to do with all the pool noodles leftover from summer water play? Why, make Marble Launchers, of course! Your kids will love making and putting their special touches on their own raceway.

Here's what you need:

Pool noodle (in any color!)
Toothpicks and Skewers
Paper
Crayons or Markers
Clear Tape

Instructions

1. Have a grown-up cut the pool noodle in half lengthwise.
2. Use skewers to join the halves, side by side.
3. Make paper banners by cutting them out and decorating them with raceway checker patterns. Be sure to make a 'start' banner and pennants to place along the raceway.
4. Tape the banners to toothpicks or skewers and set them in place along the raceway.
5. Prop up one end of the track and launch the marbles.

The CAWOOD Carnival for the Cure on Saturday was a blast! Many folks came out to support a great cause - the Eugene Race for the Cure - including beloved Eugene Emeralds mascot Sluggo!

I grabbed Sluggo at the Carnival Photo Booth just before he took his turn in the Dunk Tank. He was such a great sport, getting dunked over and over by local kids, all the while smiling.

Thanks to Sluggo and everyone else who came out to support this great fundraiser.

Want to get out a do something fun with the kids and support a great cause at the same time today? Head over to the CAWOOD Carnival for the Cure from 10- 3 pm at 1200 High Street in Eugene. Proceeds benefit the 2010 Eugene Race for the Cure. 

As a gold sponsor of the Race, CAWOOD has an enthusiastic team of employees who will participate in the Cure on 10-10-10 to support Komen's battle against breast cancer. Today's Carnival for the Cure is the kickoff for their fundraising efforts.

There will be a BBQ, carnival, kids games, dunk tank, cake walk, tarot readings, NWCU bike blender, City of Eugene Circus Arts, gymnastic activites, photo booth and so much more! So bring the kids and have fun while supporting a great cause!

Ok, so I have to post a blog about Colby, my oldest son. Today was his first day of second grade at a new school. What a trooper he is! He was up before his alarm went off and was so excited he was ready to go a hour before we had to leave for school.

I took this picture of him sitting at his desk just before he leaned over to me and said, "Ok, mom, you can leave now. I will be fine." and pointed towards the door. I must admit I got just a bit teary eyed at that moment. I'm so happy he had a great first day.

Yesterday MOM Magazine staff got up close a personal with Oct/Nov cover MOM and star of TLC's "Little People, Big World" Amy Roloff. It's refreshing to meet a TV star who's so down to earth.

One of my favorite parts of yesterday was a tour of the Roloff Family Farm, given by Amy herself. The farm is every kid's dream, complete with a pumpkin patch, western town, paintball range, Noah's Ark replica and of course, soccer/sport fields. Amy let us in on several secrets about the farm, which you will be able to read more about in the Oct/Nov issue of MOM Magazine.