Life has been busy - but good. I guess that is typical of summer. Ed has been super busy at work the past months, which makes his weekends at home even more special.
By the end of the weekend the woodshed was stacked full. Everyone felt like they had a huge accomplishment.
So much fun can be found with a bowl of water on a hot day.
Last week our strawberries began. The first few days no berries made it to the house, all were consumed immediately upon picking by the children but now we are getting a few quarts every day.
Even sweeter than strawberries.
I picked peas at a local pick-your-own patch this past weekend. Several years ago I stopped planting peas. I never was very successful at growing peas, I didn't have much garden space, and with a lovely patch only two miles down the road, it didn't seem worth it to plant my own.
On Saturday we dug up a few new potatoes to enjoy fresh peas and new potatoes for lunch. We are eating fresh broccoli almost daily. I remember now why I love this time of year. With the fresh garden produce, I could easily become a vegetarian.
After working in the yard and garden most of Saturday, the children were eager to have a campfire and roast some hot dogs. I'm always amazed at how little it takes to delight children.
Ed made chocolate brownies in his dutch oven. Layered with strawberries and some fresh whipped cream - yummy!
"Please more strawberries." - Our little strawberry monster.
On Sunday afternoon we biked a trail in Martinsburg, WV. The bike trail is next to a busy highway (Rt 9) and wouldn't be our ideal bike trail, except that along its ten miles there is 50 geocaches hidden.
The weather was ideal - warm, slightly overcast, with a nice breeze. We didn't make much progress since we stopped about every two-tenths of a mile to search for the geocaches. And of course we needed cookie breaks too.
We found about a dozen geocaches in the four miles we traveled. The children loved climbing into culverts, turning over rocks, and searching in fences for the caches - the ultimate treasure hunt. (Though today, one of my sons has a bad case of poison ivy.)
We ended the evening with a picnic at a park before heading home for showers and bed.
What summer fun (or work) are you enjoying?
It was wood spliting time at our house as well this weekend. We got about four cord split and stacked, with about another two to prepare for the cold season. I love the busy month of June. The chores help the time pass quickly as we wait for plants, trees and bushes to mature.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your family had a great deal of outside fun over the weekend. enjoy all the fresh bounty.
YOU ARE a joyful homaker with such a beautul family as well. Love those berries and peas and the children all working together too . HOW sweet to see smiles and work combined and sunshine too . Send some up North ok? Thanks for the beuatiufl post, Merri
ReplyDeleteWe got our woodshed filled(finally!) too! Your children are adorable! It looks like your life is about like ours right now..minus the bike ride. My oldest grandson likes to geocache,there are a few around here. My berries are producing well,I have picked 10 qts. so far,along with LOTS of asparagus. I am envious of your peas and new potatoes. It is way to soon for those and it is my all-time favorite dish. Just kidding,of course..I can look forward to them! I love your photos along with a glimpse into your life. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe weather in Northern Germany has been quite cold, windy and rather rainy. Nevertheless, we are actually ebjoying the same things you are doing with your children. Since it has gotten a bit wormer, we have picked up windsurfing and driving down to the beach (by bike, of course). Geocaching has become popular with our kids (6 & 8) as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a lot of fun to read your blog and to get the feeling that there are still some fun-with-the-kids-outside people in the States (mind you, I have been living in RI and OH for some time - so no biasses ;)) Thanks for sharing!
It is fun to hear what others are doing with their children in other parts of the world! My husband would love to try windsurfing some day!
DeleteGina
Thanks for the introduction to geocaches. I had never heard of them, but found out there are some about a mile from my house! Imagine! Tonight is a men's meeting at church and the children and I are planning to redeem our time and go hunting. :) There are even 15 in Ghana, which is intriguing to me. I'm hoping to look them up when we get there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard of geocaches, I thought they were a big city thing. I was shocked to find that even though we lift in red-neck country - we had several geocaches very close to our house! They seem to be everywhere - even world-wide!
DeleteGina
What large berries! What variety are they?
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
- - Bonny
I wish I knew! I should keep better records.
DeleteGina
i really enjoyed your post was fun catching up with you guy's again
ReplyDelete