The Swish Brook

Keeping the family connected

This is a bit dated, but Michelle and I went to California for a few days in late May. I'd been asked to deliver a short speech for the graduates of my MA program at San Diego State University. It was a nice trip, visiting all our old haunts. We also took a day trip to Los Angeles to visit some of Michelle's side of the family. Here's a picture we took with our NEW (rental) CAR! Hope everyone is well, keep us posted.

I just wanted to say hello & use the family page! Spring has moments this year of feeling like summer already. I'm hoping the few veggies I planted will be OK from all the rain. Ed also found we have a wild blueberry bush, but all the tiny berries have a hole once they ripen.

Grandma told us at our last visit that Peggy and her girls will be coming east to Rhode Island and may make a stop in CT to visit family!

Have a great day!

Love,
Michelle

Just about anything you would want to add (and eat) can be put in these. Also, sugar content can be adjusted depending on who you are making them for. I brought these to Christmas Eve this year, and made them desserty-sweet.

2 C oats
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C wheat germ
3/4 tsp cinnnamon
1 C flour
3/4 C raisins
1/2 C honey
1 egg
1/2 C veggie oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

preheat oven to 350
grease 9x13
mix dry, mix wet, add wet to dry
add whatever you want
put in pan
pat down
bake about 20 minutes
cool 5 minutes, then cut

Hello there, Swishbrook family! As you complete your holiday shopping, or
really any time, please come to www.swishbrook.com first, and click the
affiliate links for Amazon.com and iTunes. Those two stores will pay back
4%-5% of your order, at no additional cost to you. Every little amount
helps. And of course, feel free to spread the word around the family.
Merry Christmas to all.

Please repost this link around, in the hopes that the forgetful family will click it and get their camera back:

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/18/131659/38/travel/A+Few+Thousand+...

Original Post: http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/9v1ft/found_camera_in_maui_lets_tr...

Kids love Michelle's Cake
Michelle and I really appreciated everyone who ventured south to our place this past Saturday. It was nice to mark the milestone with all our family and friends. We hope everyone enjoyed the food from Paul's Pasta in Groton, and of course the "tunnel of fudge" birthday cake!

Enjoying fall with family and friends is one of the most pleasant things to do and this weekend was nothing short of landmark in that regard. To start the games off we had a great gathering at the "Oakdale Beales'" place to celebrate Michelle's 40th Birthday on Saturday and boy was it a celebration indeed!

One committee I am on for work is Celebrating Agriculture. The evevnt is focused on promoting local agriculture! It a very fun day with animals, a hayride through one of the Farmer's Cow barns, quilts, spinners, farmers market, kids activities, etc. I am in charge of kids crafts. It's free and at the Woodstock Fair grounds on September 26. www.celebratingagriculture.org is the website.

Friday, August 28th was Shayla's meet-and-greet and orientation for her pre-k class. She was able to ride the bus for the first time and check out her new environment. Afterward, we crossed the Connecticut river via the Glastonbury-Rockyhill ferry to enjoy an impromptu lunch with mom...all told, a relaxing daddy/daughter day to round out a busy and enjoyable summer!

Shay's first bus trip