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
"Everyone needs their own spot.” Robert Whalem
Mr. E has a favorite spot. . . his hunting land.
He loves to ride the trails, watch for deer and look for places to situate his next deer stand.
Yesterday I stated (to everyone’s surprise!) that I’d like to go along to “the land” and drive the Ranger.
So that’s what we did.
Mommy drove and therefore, as Mr. E. stated, . . “Little A assumed the crash position!”
Mr. Z was quite proud to drive the ATV.
The rain cut our ride short.
But a fun time was had by all.
We are minus two kids who are away at camp this week.
Yes, it is quieter around here.
I know they are having a good time. And we will hear all about it throughout the year ahead.
Happy Monday!
Heather
A watering can could do the trick!
Or how about bobbing for apples?
Just a few suggestions for you on this warm summer day.
Happy Thursday!
Heather
92 degrees
Perfect day for a little sundress.
Don’tcha think?
Enjoying the warmth of summer.
(And thankful for the A/C!)
Happy Tuesday,
Heather
I’m a few days late with this post but I couldn't let our 20th anniversary came and go without some sort of recognition.
It was Friday, June 16, 1989
Canoga Park, California.
I had my dream come true wedding.
Mr. E. thought a church ceremony followed by ham buns in the basement would’ve been great.
But this gal had been planning her wedding since age 12 and had a few more ideas to celebrate in mind!
And here we are. . .
20 years,
six kids,
a few pounds :),
much laughter,
a few tears,
some sickness
but thankfully more health,
later.
As I wrote in my note. . .
I still feel right at home. . . with you.
Your love for Him. . .brings me peace.
I love you more today. . .than I did 20 years ago.
And Happy Father’s Day to my Dad. . .
the one who walked me down the aisle.
This is one of my very favorite pictures:
What a moment!
I know my Dad loves me.
I know my Dad will always be there for me/ for us.
And for that I am truly grateful.
I think we should’ve bought him a pair of slippers!
But he loves these. . .they’re all broken in and have miles of good tread left!!
That’s my dad!!
Happy Father’s Day Sunday!
Heather
Well, it was a first.
It happens to most folks my age.
You know. . . forty something and suddenly you’re pulling reading material farther away from your face.
So it was for me this morning.
While having some quiet time before getting Little Miss A out of her crib. . .
I had to reach for those “readers” the doctor mentioned.
Precious, huh?
Youthful? Not!
Effective? Yes!
Another sign of the inevitable aging process.
On the up side. . . .being in my 40’s means I’ve seen
God’s goodness, faithfulness, protection, healing, leading. . . over and over.
I was reading in Exodus how God performed miracles to increase the faith of Moses
so he would reveal the mightiness of God’s power to others.
May I be a more faithful servant as the years go by. . . and proclaim His
mighty works which He has done in my life . . . to others.
Well, Little A is now awake and ready to roll!!
Time for me to do the same.
Happy Friday!
Your forty-something, reader’s around her neck, friend,
Heather
Above pictures courtesy of Grandma. Mr. A was the lucky one to go fishing with Grandpa and Grandma today.
Mr. E. has forever dreamed of taking the boys camping.
This weekend is their first adventure.
Lots of STUFF. . . Lots of excitement. . . (thankfully) Lots of sunshine in the forecast.
Little Miss A is content to stay home with mommy.
Mommy is glad to stay home. . . I like my own comfy bed!
Happy summer weekend!
Heather
Outside my window...the rain continues to fall and it’s only 50 degrees!
I am thinking...it’s a good day to get my indoor late spring cleaning projects tackled.
I am thankful for...a husband who loves God.
From the learning rooms...we’re still finishing a few studies and I’m beginning to organize and plan for next year while my brain is still in “school gear”.
From the kitchen...French toast was the request for lunch today. Request granted.
I am wearing...jeans and a brown short-sleeve shirt.
I am creating...bridal shower invitations and a flower girl dress.
I am going...to stay home on this rainy Monday.
I am reading...the new issue of Real Simple magazine.
I am hoping...it doesn’t rain this weekend for a fun camping adventure my husband has planned with 3 of the boys.
I am hearing...the sound of the falling rain and the kids playing downstairs.
Around the house...sheets are getting washed and closets cleaned and re-organized.
One of my favorite things...was looking out the window today and seeing a doe and her new fawn.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Dentist apt., golf lessons, last of the homeschool sports co-op, and a graduation party.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is a picture I took at my in-laws home. What a pretty view out their living room window, huh?
Go to Peggy’s blog HERE to create a Daybook of your own!
Happy Monday!
Heather
Grandma loves to go to Florida, with Grandpa, during the cold winter months.
Grandma LOVES to collect shells on the beach in Florida.
Grandpa loads BOXES AND BOXES AND BOXES of Grandmas’ shells into the car before heading home.
Grandma is C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E.
Grandma brought a small sampling of her shells to our house to teach the kids a fun craft project.
shells + picture frames
+ excited & interested kids =
very cool decorative picture frames!
Thanks Grandma!
The kids were very proud of their work.
It was a fun day.
Happy Saturday,
Heather
This is what you get when you ask your 9 year old to use the Scott’s spreader to fertilize the lawn.
He made his turns too wide.
Mr. E laughed hysterically when I showed him our beautifully striped lawn.
We try our hardest to create a nice lawn.
And when it finally turns green. . . it has STRIPES!!
Happy Friday,
Heather
It’s that time again.
Or as Oma would say: “Run for your lives boys. . . mom’s got the buzzer!”
Love my clean cut boys!
Happy Wednesday!
Heather
