MN State Fair 2013

What would a summer be without our traditional Minnesota State Fair excursion?! This is the first year that we have ventured to it without the accompanient of our friends. Click for previous years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009. Clay kept asking me if I had contacted anyone, and each time I laughed and said it was on my never-ending "to do" list and it obviously had, unfortunately, not made top priority. :( We missed everyone this year but still had a wonderful as a family getting to play and eat lots of fair food!

Cooper was continously happy because, well, he was constantly being fed! lol. Corndogs, strawberries and cream, fries, Hawaiian shaved ice, popcorn, Sweet Martha's cookies, a slice of pizza, and tater logs. Did I forget anything? I think I was the only one who changed the tradition by not opting for my typical picks...the thought of all the fried foods didn't settle too well with me this year so I stuck to my apple, a couple of tater logs, strawberries and cream and of course, some sweet Martha cookies! The boys inhaled everything else for me quite happily. :)

The weather was nice: cool and sunny. Quite a few people, but not enough to drive us crazy until later in the day. And with a wide stroller device like ours, it's quite easy to part the thick waters of crowds. ;)

We spent a fair amount of time watching the horses in the arena this year and the remaining time was spent "playing with big boy toys." We had to sit on, look at and/or pretend to drive every truck, tractor, digger, 4-wheeler, mower, gator, and front-end loader that we passed. I am so not joking.

We ended the day late afternoon by slurping down some Hawaiian Shaved Ice and then headed for the buses to get these boys home, bathed and ready for a first day of Preschool and also for Kindergarten Assessment day. I can't believe my babies are growing up as fast as they are. Just glancing back at pictures of them last year sent me into a tearful reality of how fleeting our days are and how much they have changed in the last 365 days. Wow. They truly are no longer babies. They are little boys!!! Busy, busy little boys at that. :)

our garden project: herbs and vegetables

In 2011, I tested my green thumb by planting a variety of herbs on our deck. Needless to say, my thumb didn't turn out to be so green. The poor herbs died a few months later. I missed my plants last year, so when 2013 rolled around I had already decided that somehow, I was going to figure out how I could not only give the herbs another chance, but how I could also dip my does into some potted vegetables.

A friend of mine came over to help me...since I truly had no idea what I was doing. She was gracious enough to supply me with all of the herbs and vegetables that we are growing for this summer: Patio tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and cherry tomotoes. For herbs: mint, basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley and now rosemary. My little plants make me happy to no end! Admittedly, instead of curbing my desire for a large garden, by diving into this little project, it has made me want to throw all of our stuff in a moving van and hightail it to the nearest farmland available for purchase.

Pictures taken on August 2, 2013

In the evenings lately I have so enjoyed walking outside just before the sun goes down with a glass of wine in hand to check on my plants. And then of course, on a few rare occasions I make a fool of myself in front of my neighbors by squealing and jumping up and down over my budding vegetables...ahem, which I may or may not have done tonight.
The plants are doing really well, except they are all outgrowing their pots. They need bigger spaces. I am hoping to solve that problem next year; I have already started looking at possibilities that would work even in our little patio space.

Fast forward from August 2 to this past Wednesday, August 14. Our first baby tomato was ready to be plucked from its vine. It only lasted long enough for a quick rinse as Parker decided it was the bestest, juicest tomato he had ever seen and promptly popped the whole thing enthusiastically in his mouth. :)  The boys and I picked 3 more this afternoon and those actually made it to the kitchen...no thanks to my tomato-lovin' child. ;)
Have I mentioned how stinkin' happy I am about our little plants!!! They put the biggest smile on my face each day. Truly theraputic...

Picture taken on August 2, 2013

 

"And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:18

Lake Ann Beach and Summer fun!

A couple of weeks ago the boys and I went for an afternoon play at Lake Ann Beach. One thing I love about this state is the vast number of lakes that surround us. You don't have to drive far to find a lake to either fish in, boat in, or swim in! At many of the lakes, there are walking paths through the surrounding woods, baseball fields with games going on, playgrounds, concession stands...the whole works. Love this. We are blessed to live within walking distance to three different parks!!! The free outdoor entertainment areas literally saved us last summer after our move, and has been just as enjoyable for us this summer, though we have not frequented them quite as much as last year.

 

Clay and I took them out to Lake Ann late one afternoon for a ride in their Ford pickup truck through the beach area and the walking trails. Not having a yard, the boys have not ridden in the Power Wheels much this summer. It has been a fun treat the few times Clay has loaded up "Little Blue" in Troublemaker and let the boys take a wild spin through the vast, "power-wheels-kid-friendly" region that Lake Ann has to offer. Parker has definately earned his Power Wheels license by maneuvering "Little Blue" through some of the woodsy and hilly trails around Lake Ann, through the picnic area beside the beach, and the steeper, green hills that rise and slope around the active baseball and soccer fields. And when Cooper drives...well, it is full-speed ahead all the way. Watch out on-lookers! ;)

a trip to my Southern state

Mississippi Summers= 
Fireflies, family gatherings, sweltering humidity, easy tans, magnolia trees, muddy toes in the green grass, bubbles all around, white pants, painted toes, baskin' robbins treats, pearls with every outfit, summer sandals, and fresh peaches and berries.

The first several years after moving to Minnesota, I would find myself getting home to Mississippi quite frequently. This due to many factors: the majority of my business was in the South, my dad's health was going down fast, friends weddings were happening every other month...we had no friends or connections up North, Clay was flying all the time, so why not? :) Over the last two to three years, we have not been able to get down there nearly as often as we would like. It is a blessing in one way because we now have such a strong base up here: church, friends, our kids activities, community events, and the breathtaking outdoors here in Minnesota keeps us happily busy and occupied with life. In another way however, we find ourselves desperately homesick for family and friends back home. So much that by the time we find ourselves visiting our loved ones, we (Clay and I) joke about how pathetic we are. Honestly, from the time the plane lands in Memphis, TN or Houston, TX (well, maybe the day after we land...after we've had a good night's sleep and have caught up on a little rest...flying non-rev with kids is no small task) we are just like our kids vying for our parents' attention: "Mom, look at me! Look at me!" haha!

Our family is amazing about it though. They love us, care for us, tend to us, spoil us, listen to us (and listen, and listen and listen...) :) Bless our sweet family and friends.

We were thankful to get a good summer dose of Mississippi during the beautiful month of June. The boys got in great family time with the grands, the great's, and pretty much everyone in between. :) I rang in my 30th birthday here, saw family and friends, watched Parker attend his very first Vacation Bible School at my hometown church with my childhood Bible Drills leader (what a blessing this was! Mrs. Karen has always been and always will be amazing!! She raised 4 children...3 of them boys so she knows what's she's doing!), and the most fun part of all...seeing the huge grins of pure happiness on my sweet little men's faces as they enjoyed the simplicity of it all. I will let the pictures below speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to each of you for making our trip so very special. We enjoyed seeing y'all and appreciate your sharing part of your summer with us. Thanks to my precious mama for making me feel like royalty (as usual) while in Grenada--because if anyone saw me when I landed in Memphis that warm day in latter May, you would know I certainly looked far from anything having to do with royalty. My sweet mama treated me to a pedicure, haircut, new clothes, shoes, jewelry...seriously, I felt like a new person when I left for the Memphis airport headed to our next destination. Bless her heart, when I landed in Memphis last Fall, the day after I flew in, she told me to shower and dress and we were going shopping. I said, "For what?" She said, "Honey, I hated to tell you this but I wanted to cry when I saw you get off the airplane in those jeans yesterday!" haha! Yep. It was pretty bad...and I don't think this time was much better. Well, thank goodness that's one of the things mama's are for...and thank goodness mine just so happens to be from the South--she knows how to shop! ;) I love you, mama. Thanks for sharing some Southern style with me. I needed it. :) 

a morning of strawberry picking

This morning, the boys and I ventured out to Arlington with a neighbor friend who introduced us to Kathleen's Gardens. I don't know what I was more excited about, seeing the views of the countryside and the industrial and hobby farms or getting to pick strawberries with the boys. Both were a true delight!

Before stopping at the strawberry patch, we pulled off at the Hillcrest Cafe for a breakfast of omelets, pancakes and sausage. Omelets for Ann and me. Pancakes and sausage for the boys. If you're not in a hurry and wanting some old-fashioned country cooking, add this place to your "to visit" list when you're in the Southwestern part of Minnesota.

The prices can't be beat and the quality is top-notch. Guaranteed to make you want to eat every single bite off of your plate. :)

Part of the enjoyment of the meal was watching the locals sip their coffee and munch on their eggs and toast while they talked about how there crops were doing this year and what the weather was supposed to be doing tomorrow and the next day.

Following the quaint, cafe visit, we drove down long straight roads surrounded on both sides by flowing cornfields and soybean plantations to get to our final destination--Kathleen's Gardens.

I learned some things from Ann along the way (who grew up on a Minnesota farm)...for instance, the corn this year is running three weeks behind. I learned what each farm that we passed was purposed for: crops, dairy, turkey, pigs. The big crops that we passed today were soybeans and corn. Wheat and beets are also large producers in this state.

 

It's strawberry picking time! 

 

To remember: Cooper spent the majority of the time picking strawberries off the vines and popping them straight into his little mouth. The latter picture of him with his hand on his tummy was when he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, poked his tummy and told me he was full and he was taking a poop. The next 10 minutes or so were completely peaceful as he stood there focused on nature and the task at hand. I think I got more strawberries picked in that 10 minutes than I did the rest of the time. ha! When he was done with his job, he grabbed one more strawberry off of a vine and proclaimed, "I weady to go home now. I tired. I take poop and need B." And that was that. Off he went to the car. :)

Tomorrow I am looking forward to taking these delicious strawberries and making several jars of strawberry rhubarb jelly with them. Yum! It will be my first time to experiment with canning. I can't wait!!! This might turn into a new love. ;)