We were invited to attend a tour of our county landfill.
Interesting to see where all our “stuff” ends up and how it is recycled.
And we had this awesome tour guide! ;)
It was a beautiful summer day, so we had lunch at a nearby park.
And toured through a few historic buildings. . .
Like this one room schoolhouse.
Don’t all homeschool mom’s dress like this each morning?!!
(Yeah, right! I’m lucky to be out of my pajamas!)
Friday summertime fun. Hope you had some too!
Heather
The deer have been getting into our garden.
Frustrating.
Apparently lettuce has not been their first choice on the buffet line.
Guess what we’re having for lunch tomorrow?
We read a charming book today.
Owen & Mzee by Isabella & Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
It’s a true story. . . “of a remarkable friendship” between a turtle and a hippo.
Well, bathtime is done.
Don’tcha just love to hug and kiss your clean kids after a bath?!!
I should’ve taken a before picture with blue popsicle stickiness all over her face!
Happy Wednesday!
Heather
I took this picture on the first day of our recent road trip.
It was a rest stop in the U.P. of Michigan.
Pretty nice rest stop, huh?
The kids loved it.
Go HERE to check out I Heart Faces and other fun beach pictures.
Happy Monday!
Heather
Another of our vacation traditions is stopping by the famous Captain Sundae.
We always order the Tommy Turtle.
If you ever find yourself in Holland,Michigan during the summer months. . . you must stop!
Even President Bush stopped by for a Tommy Turtle.
(P.S. We also order “extra pecans”. . . simply divine. I’m still “workin’” them off!)
Happy Saturday,
Heather
Our vacation began with a celebration.
My sister’s 40th birthday.
We were going to surprise her at their family cottage but decided to let her know we were coming.
Good thing. . .
She planned all the meals!
She even made Huckleberry Buckle and a delicious chocolate cake!
My sister and I had a total of 9 kids in 10 years!
Only 1 is still in diapers.
We’re movin’ forward!
Their cottage has a bunk house where the older boys slept.
And it has this really cool outdoor shower!!
They have a Portuguese Water Dog named “Marco”.
He is the easiest dog I’ve ever been around. . .doesn’t bark, doesn’t shed, doesn’t jump.
But sorry guys, I’m still not ready to add a dog to our family.
I know, I know, I’m just NO FUN AT ALL!!
We all gave my sister charms for her new Chamilia bracelet.
Check it out. . .they are so personal. I love it.
Guess what’s next on my wish list. ;)
My sister is now visiting by me. . . and helping me with a garage sale.
What a great sister, huh? Wonderful in many ways.
Birthday Blessings . . . 40 looks maaavelous on you!
Happy Tuesday in July everybody!
Heather
The boys had a ball “surfin’” with their cousins on the shores of Lake Michigan!
Little Miss A kept her eye on the action. . .
Then decided a snack break was in order.
With a satisfied tummy she toddled off to get a boogie board for herself.
She seemed to love it . . .as long as she didn’t get wet!
Summer vacation fun . . . from the sunshine on our heads to the sand between our toes!
Have a great Monday!
Heather
When my sister and family come to visit we have a few fun traditions.
Two big ones are go-karting and baby back ribs for dinner.
So yesterday was a very fun day.
Go-karting in the afternoon. . .
GET READY. . .GET SET . . .
And ribs for dinner!
My sister has a great recipe.
It’s simple too.
Place ribs in dish.
Rub with Lawry’s seasoning.
Cover with Coca-Cola.
Bake at 275 for 4 hours, covered.
Uncover, pour out coke, cover with favorite BBQ sauce and bake uncovered for 1 hour.
Our favorite sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Deeeeelicious!
Happy Saturday,
Heather
One of our favorite traditions when we head to Michigan is blueberry picking!
This year we picked a total of 55 pounds!
We’ve eaten lots of them and will freeze the rest to enjoy all year long.
YUM! We love blueberries!!
Blueberries were prominent in Russian folk medicine, used as a preventative measure and cure for flux and other abdominal problems.
Native Americans used blueberry leaves in medicinal teas thought to be good for the blood and blueberry juice was used to treat coughs.
The blueberry is still prized for its antioxidant health benefits and as a laxative, as well as other folk remedies.
During World War II, British Royal Air Force pilots consumed bilberries (a blueberry relative), which purportedly improved their night vision. Later studies show a sound basis for this practice because blueberries are high in bioflavonoids which are used by the rods in the eye for night vision.
Blueberries rank as the number one fruit provider of antioxidants. They are also high in iron.
My sister makes an awesome Blueberry Coffeecake. It looks just like this. . .
Picture courtesy of “a whisk and a spoon”.
It’s called HUCKLEBERRY BUCKLE and it is scrumptious!
Here’s the recipe:
Huckleberry Buckle
1 C Butter
2 Eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1 C milk
2 C sugar
4 C flour
5 tsp. baking powder
4 C blueberries
Cream butter and 2 C sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Sift
flour, salt, baking powder and add alternately with milk. Fold
in blueberries. Dough will be stiff.
Put into greased jelly roll pan or make 2 smaller pans.
Topping:
1 C sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 C flour
1/2 C soft butter
Mix with pie crust blender and sprinkle over top.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350.
I hope you can enjoy some fresh blueberries this summer too.
Happy Friday!
Heather
We’re home from a week of road trip travels.
I couldn’t help but document this
road side rest stop on our first day of driving.
Beautiful scenery on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Mommy’s last words. . . “Try not to get wet boys.”
Silly mommy!
It’s great to go on vacation.
It’s great to be home.
700+ pictures were taken.
I look forward to posting our highlights.
But now it’s time for. . .
laundry,
packing Mr. Z for camp on Saturday,
laundry,
enjoying my sister and her kids who are visiting,
laundry,
thinking about a garage sale,
laundry
and oh, that’s right. . .
I better make that grocery list
and plan for some meals.
Or maybe take a nap. Vacations are fun -- but tiring, ya know?
Happy Thursday,
Heather
For the first time this summer we took the boat for a spin.
Our trusty 25 year old Sea Ray. . .
Turned over like a charm!
We’re off to a good start.
Mr. C enjoyed taking pictures this evening.
He did a good job.
All my “chickens” are back in the nest.
Another very positive camp experience.
The sun sets on a beautiful summer day in July.
Tomorrow begins with thoughts of packing for a family vacation on Thursday.
Oh, the fun of packing, huh?
Happy summer Sunday!
Heather
You’ve heard of house sitting,
baby sitting,
dog sitting,
cat sitting,
but, duck sitting?
Yep, that’s right. . . That’s what we’re doin’!
Happy Thursday!
Heather
