Friday, July 31, 2009

field trip

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.

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And we had this awesome tour guide! ;)

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It was a beautiful summer day, so we had lunch at a nearby park.

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And toured through a few historic buildings. . .

Like this one room schoolhouse.

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Don’t all homeschool mom’s dress like this each morning?!!

(Yeah, right! I’m lucky to be out of my pajamas!)

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Friday summertime fun.  Hope you had some too!

Heather

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

salad anyone?

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?lettuce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We read a charming book today.

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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.

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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

Monday, July 27, 2009

I Heart Faces – At the Beach

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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.

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Go HERE to check out I Heart Faces and other fun beach pictures.

Happy Monday!


Heather

 

Sunday, July 26, 2009

sunsets

We were able to see  spectacular sunsets on our vacation.

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Blessed Sunday,

Heather

Saturday, July 25, 2009

a sweet treat

Another of our vacation traditions is stopping by the famous Captain Sundae.tommy

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

happy 40th!

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kids

My sister and I had a total of 9 kids in 10 years!

Only 1 is still in diapers. 

We’re movin’ forward!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Their cottage has a bunk house where the older boys slept.

And it has this really cool outdoor shower!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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!407

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday in July everybody!

Heather

 

Sunday, July 19, 2009

surf’s up!

The boys had a ball “surfin’” with their cousins on the shores of Lake Michigan!

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 surf4

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Little Miss A kept her eye on the action. . .

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Then decided a snack break was in order.

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With a satisfied tummy she toddled off to get a boogie board for herself.

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She seemed to love it . . .as long as she didn’t get wet!

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Summer vacation fun . . . from the sunshine on our heads to the sand between our toes!

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Have a great Monday!

Heather

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Traditions

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 . . .

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And ribs for dinner!

ribs

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

Friday, July 17, 2009

Blueberries

 

One of our favorite traditions when we head to Michigan is blueberry picking!

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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.

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YUM!  We love blueberries!!

Did you know?

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. . .

blueberry crumb cake by awhiskandaspoon

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

 

Thursday, July 16, 2009

rest stop

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.

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Beautiful scenery on the shores of Lake Michigan.

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Mommy’s last words. . . “Try not to get wet boys.”

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Silly mommy!

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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,

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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

Sunday, July 5, 2009

a summer first

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.

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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.

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Tomorrow begins with thoughts of packing for a family vacation on Thursday.

Oh, the fun of packing, huh?

Happy summer Sunday!

Heather

Thursday, July 2, 2009

duck sitting

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’!

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Happy Thursday!

Heather