Summer Days

Caught these guys snuggling while they watched a show. The boys quickly covered up their bare chests when they saw me start to take a picture. Ha. 

This sweet boy just lost his two top front teeth. 

Excited about some super hero undies!

The theme at camp this summer is "Fishers of Men."

Last night after camp and baths and jammies, I took the kids to Jennifer's to help pack up a bit and these cousins were supposed to relax here and fall asleep together. You can guess how that went!

Green Beans

Our pumpkin vines have huge yellow flowers. (I'm afraid our garden plot may be a bit on the shady side.  Instead of Jolly Days at Shady Nook, I should now be Jolly Days in a Shady Garden.)

We are continuing to enjoy our days at camp. Here Eleonora is pumping up a raft. 

This was Josiah was we drove home today. Looking like a true camper. 

We came home for supper today because I noticed that there were some garden beans just begging to be picked. So Eleonora and Caleb and I did just that. And Chris volunteered to be in charge of the meat department. 

I modified a Paula Deen recipe and they were the most delicious beans I have ever eaten.  And to tell you the truth, I have not eaten many. But tonight I ate my whole pile!

A camp supper can be quite satisfying, but I'll tell ya, this was delicious!

Here is the recipe as I made it tonight:

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1 stripbacon, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
• 6 new potatoes, (small red potatoes)
• 1/2 onion
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

First I cut up a slice of bacon and browned it in a pot. Then I stirred the beans around in bacon fat and added the chicken broth (I like to use 'better than boullion', it comes in a little jar.) and the seasonings. Then put the lid on and keep cooking on medium heat. Meanwhile, slice up about half an onion very thinly and cut up the potatoes and toss that all in. Add a little more water if it gets too dry in there. Everything was done in about 30 minutes. Paula Dean cooked her beans for over an hour, but that didn't seem to be necessary. I also left out her extra bacon drippings and butter. Like I said, for a non-green bean lover, these were perfect!  It tasted less green-beany, and more garlic-onion-chicken broth-potato-flavorful-salty. Yummo!

Big Week

It has been a big week for us and it's only Tuesday. We dropped Josiah off for his first week of overnight camp. I am not sure that would have happened when he was only 8 if not for the fact that he sees 7-10 relatives daily. 

Also, Eleonora has spent her last night in her crib.  I put her down for a nap this weekend, then the next thing I knew she was happily playing with Caleb. Turns out that Josiah gave her some 'escaping lessons' last week. He told me she was 'hopeless', but apparently he underestimated his training abilities. I always thought three beds in her room was a bit much (although so perfect for slumber parties with the Traceys), so I was happy to have Caleb and Eleonora help me move the crib out this morning. She is doing great in her toddler bed!

And check out the notes Josiah has been leaving for me in the craft room. Too cute. Chris had my engagement ring wrapped in sourwood leaves when he proposed, if memory serves me correctly. 

If you need me tomorrow, I'll be attending a puppet show!

Summertime

We are enjoying the boys' first full week off of school. Here is Josiah with his sweet teacher on Report Card day. 

We have been doing lots of Lincoln Logs and Legos. 

And the summer reading program at our local library started on Tuesday. So far, Caleb and I have read about thirty picture books and all of 'Mr. Popper's Penguins.'  And I've been enjoying reading some Library books myself. I finished 'The Master Butchers' Singing Club' and now I'm reading 'Mayflower.'  Did you know that there was a 'Stranger' onboard the Mayflower named Christopher Martin who proved to be a "most difficult personality"?  And when the Indians and colonists started fighting in 1675, a man named Josiah was in charge of the Englishters?  Not very impressive namesakes there, fellers. 

Happy Summer Break to all!

September 2, 2015

I might have forgotten to post these before. 

But even if I have showed them before, at least they will cover up the rash pictures, right?

Today the boys pick up their report cards, and then they are done with kindergarten and 2nd grade for good!

Happy summer break!

Rashes

It has been a crazy year or so around here in regards to skin ailments. I wanted to be sure to keep a record of our trials for posterity before I clear out some pictures on my phone. View at your own risk. 

March 2015, Scarlet Fever

February 2015, Eczema

March 2015, more eczema

August 2015, Impetigo?

More impetigo

And more

And some killer poison ivy. 

Hope you enjoyed!  I know I get a bit of satisfaction looking back at these from time to time. Ha, ha, ha!

Buddies

Eleonora and I love visiting the walking track with friends. 

Three of Eleonora's main words are 'buddy', 'Evelyn', and 'Amanda.'

We are thankful for such good buddies!