Oldie, but a goodie

I was looking through my youtube subscriptions and found this vid T made awhile back. How could you not love this little dude?

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2009
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Finally got around to getting T-Day pics up. The set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pdub/sets/72157622845908320/


Oh and here is the menu.

Starters:

Rogue River Blue, Beecher’s Cheddar, Washington Havarti and Wisonsin Portobello Jack Cheeses

Assorted Home-Baked Crackers and Scones

Salad:

Pumpkin, Pear and Pomegranate Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette

Squash Muffins

Entrée:

Cider-Brined and Herb Dijon Roasted Turkey

Caramelized Onion Gravy

Pomegranate Sauce

Caramelized Onion and Cornbread Stuffing

Side Dishes:

Mashed Red Potatoes with Sage and Tillamook Vintage White Cheddar

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries

Roasted Parsnips and Carrots

Desserts:

Pear and Cranberry Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

Apple Pie with Tillamook Vintage White Cheddar Crust

Been canning and baking up a storm lately

Apple pie with a white cheddar crust

So, here I am baking. It's about 10 minutes so grab some chips and a beverage and enjoy.
~Brandon

Update: Having sound issues, not sure what the deal is. Will work on it and re-upload.
Late update: fixed sync issue

Finn got all Pete Townsend on this guitar

Finn got all Pete Townsend on this guitar
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

I've glued the nut back on. Tomorrow I will try to get the neck back where it belongs.
~B

The Boys at Halloween

The Boys at Halloween
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

So, Halloween was pretty fun. We went to the Kennedy School with the Browns and had pizza at Hot Lips. Then it was time for Preston's first real trick or treating experience. He and Finn did great, though occasionally Preston got so excited about candy he would just try to walk into people's houses without saying "trick or treat" or even waiting for them to offer candy. He got back in the proper groove by the end of the night. Also, Preston did have to occasionally pay tribute to Kitty Finney to keep him calm.

So here they are Kitty Finney and Preston as the Tom Baker version of Doctor Who. So adorable.


~Brandon

Beautiful new pressure canner

Beautiful new pressure canner
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Big thanks to grandma Judy. We CAN not wait to use it. We're thinking something with beats for its trial run.

Thanks again mom
~B

Curtain'd

They turned out a little more, um, "rustic" than I was hoping. I think they turned out pretty good though considering these were the first curtains I have ever made and the green fabric was Jersey-not easy to work with.

Ilustrator

Ilustrator
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Preston wanted to do some illustrations for me which worked out since I have a project I am working on. If you read the words you can see what he was trying to do. It's pretty genius. There is a spiral guitar neck and a close up of hands playing. And he did the same thing with the turntable. How can you not love this kid...
~Brandon

The F-Bomb Blues

Papa and Finney messin' around. We cheated a little and used 4 tracks.

Getting ready for Halloween

Preston decided he wanted to be Doctor Who for Halloween. Originally he wanted to be the David Tennet version, but we've been watching the old Tom Baker Doctor Whos and he seems to have settled on that version. I think he looks awesome.
~Brandon

First Day Of Kindergarten

First Day Of Kindergarten
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

So last Friday was Preston's first day at school. He was really excited and seems to like it, though it did take some doin to get any info out of him. The first day was a half day. Tomorrow is his first full day!

The boys and bubbles

We were at the nearby playground the other day and one of the moms had bubbles. Man did the kids go nuts. So much fun, and great pictures.

Dishwasher model

Dishwasher model
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Finn does his best moody postmodern dishwasher ad pose.
~Brandon

Finn rocks out

Finn rocks out
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Check this kid out. He's a natural.

~Brandon

Square II

Spent yesterday at Abuelita's for the Urban Art Faire. Nate and Andrew were kind enough to let Preston play the drums a little.

Garlic Festival

Went to the Garlic Festival in Hillsboro last weekend and had a good time. Yummy garlic ice cream. Here are some videos of the boys dancing.

Toodee's land

DSC06745
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

We now have completed all 4 of the different lands for Yo Gabba Gabba. Much playtime to ensue.

OK, I'm calling it

It's official. Finn's first word is "mama." I know we're all disappointed, but his second word is "papa" so all is not lost.

Ready For Paint's first gig

Ready For Paint's first gig
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

So last night was my band's first gig. We played at this little place called Nazfiratu's Den in Battleground, WA. We had a lot of fun and the crowd was super awesome. One kid came up to me after the show and said, "You've made a name for yourself in Battleground tonight." Man that felt good. I do hope he meant it in a good way :)
And a little shameless self promotion, our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ready-For-Paint/118637985902?ref=ts
~Brandon

Preston rocks

Every once in awhile Preston actually gets interested in his and/or my guitar. Here are some pictures and a small video of him rocking out today.

Random road trip video

Here are the boys being boys

Preston holds Foofa's Land

Preston holds Foofa's Land
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Foofa's land is done. This has been a really fun project so far. Day 2 and another Yo Gabba Gabba land done.

Breboo's land

Breboo's land
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Yes, we're coming late to the game, but we just discovered Yo Gabba Gabba while visiting grandma Judy. Preston asked if we could go to the toy store to buy Yo Gabba Gabba toys and the lands that they inhabit. I said we could talk about maybe getting the toys, but we could for sure make our own lands. This one is Breboo's land. The plan is to make one a day. 3 more to go!
check out the process here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pdub/tags/yogabbagabba/

And check out our mini roadtrip to visit grandma Judy (thanks mom for a great visit):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pdub/sets/72157620874882077/

~Brandon

Happy Father's Day from Preston

Melba Pie

Melba Pie
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

So, I made a Melba pie simply because Tarehna mentioned it. She wasn't even sure if she would want one. On the first bite I said "ew, no." But it's pie so I kept eating. Got better with every bite. Those gaping festering holes are meant to be decorative. They were bad to start with, and the aboriginal symbols really didn't survive the baking.

Longest Hopscotch Game

Longest Hopscotch Game
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Haven't updated in awhile. Just wanted to share this super long game of hopscotch me and the boys happened upon.
~Brandon

More abstract art

More abstract art
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Preston has been working on this one for a few weeks. Not sure if it is done or not, but I went ahead and hung it on his wall like he asked.
~B

More pie

My adventures in pies continues. This one is a banana cream pie with coconut and peanut butter chips on top. There are banana slices on the bottom of the crust topped with pastry cream and then a whipped topping. So yummy if I do say so myself

Pies Galore

I have found my calling, it is making pies. I love it so much. Of course I haven't done anything too fancy yet, so that may be why I still love it. Here are some pictures of a strawberry rhubarb pie and a cherry pie I made. You can see on the cherry pie that I cut the first initial of each BurkeWicker clan member into the top of the crust. The next pies I am going to make are a banana cream and a melba. So much fun!

The cherry pie:





The strawberry rhubarb:

Brandon's band

Hey hey, so after like 10 years I, Brandon, am in a band again. It's pretty awesome. We do mostly classic rock type stuff with a little country. Well, one country song. Well, Folsom Prison Blues. Anyhoo, I am having a lot of fun. Just wanted to share and here are some pics of the practice space.

UFO Fest 2009

So this last Saturday we made it down to McMinnville for the annual UFO fest. It celebrates the 1950 Trent UFO sighting. We were glad to finally make it (we usually forget about it until it is done), but it was a little disappointing. Though the parade was fun. UFO Fest pics.

Mother's Day 2009

DSC06177
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Hey all, this Mother's Day T found flowers and mimosas awaiting her descent from the bedroom. Check out the other Mom's day pics here: Mother's Day 2009
We then went to the Arleta Library Bakery Cafe. It's owned by a woman we used to work with at PSU. Good food. And check them out on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives:





~B

Preston crazy on the lawn

Preston crazy on the lawn
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Pics of Mother's Day on their way. This should hold you over.

~B

Finn Dances

Had a lot of fun watching Finn dance tonight. As you can see he definitely has his own style. Had to go with a larger file size since video was so dark. May have a long load time.Hang in there

Finn's First Birthday

Wow! It has been a whole year already. And this kid is huge! And spent most of the day walking around. Go Finn! Pretty mellow day and then los abuelitos came over for carrot cake cupcakes. Check out the pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pdub/sets/72157617765084223/

Medieval Faire 2009

So today the BurkeWicker clan geeked out. We participated in free comic book day and went to the Medieval Faire at McMenamins Grand Lodge and finished the day by watching Star Wars A New Hope. Please enjoy the video.

Finn Walks!!!

Finn Walks!!!
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Not his very first steps, but check it out. And yes that is the Colbert Report in the background.
~B

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

Brandon's first strawberry rhubarb pie. Tarehna did the lattice work.
So yummy

Earth Day 2009

paper crafts
Originally uploaded by burke_wicker

We spent this Earth Day making paper from paper and then making stuff, not paper, from that pulp. Bowls, shapes. The plan is to paint them once they dry.