And We're Off...

Another week up north!

Going, going...

Our berries are slowly disappearing. I am so sad. It has been so fun to pick fresh fruit everyday... or make muffins... or eat pancakes sprinkled with black raspberries (as we did this morning). But everyday the bowls are getting smaller and smaller. Jackson will be especially sad, as he can eat them by the bowlful. Until next year black raspberries...we will be waiting.

Finally

My smiling gardens- happily awaiting the coming rain.

Doors of Stillwater

I finally finished this collage. Now I just need to order it...

Pick'n Peas

Lasagna and a Visit

My sister came and spent the night a few days ago and it was so much fun to have her as our guest. We spent the evening making this delicious meal together (with the zucchini from the garden of course) and it made me long for the days when families lived just down the street (or road I guess... is it called a street when it's made of dirt?) from each other. When your family was also your community. When having a meal meant four or five women in the kitchen cooking and chatting together while children of all ages ran around playing with each other. Having young kids really makes you gain a new appreciation for that I think. Anyway, the lasagna was the best. Then the next day we had a picnic at the library roof-top terrace (previous post), played at the park, and stopped in one of the main street shops. The only downfall was her getting sick at the end of the day (hopefully feeling better now?). But all and all, a very fun few days.

Lunch at the Library

4th of July Vacation

Our week up north included so many fun things (and a few not so fun things- Grace got swimmers itch and was up several nights itching for hours).
But, the fun included...
Fireworks
The annual olympics
Sand castle building...



Swimming
Fishing
Tractor rides
First boat rides...




Staying up late
Homemade ice cream
Water slides
Being with family...

And just an all around good time (despite being sleep deprived most days). Somehow even though schedules get mixed up, treats become the norm, and our whole rhythm is pretty much thrown out the window, the joy of watching your children experience "up north" in all it's glory makes it all worth it.

Zucchini Muffins

Here are the muffins I made for Jackson's little party

3 eggs beaten
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp van. extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional- I didn't use these)
Instead I added blueberries

Whisk eggs, honey, brown sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt; stir into wet ingredients until moistened. Add zucchini. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.

One

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Evening Gardening

Black Raspberries

We have been enjoying our daily treat of fresh black raspberries. Today Grace and I devoured a bowl while snuggling in the hammock. The perfect pastime for a lazy summer afternoon.