The Summer Rush

On our way home from VA, while venturing through a Dunkin Donuts drive through, we saw this license plate.  Joe stuck his whole self right out the window to get this shot just for you-- and me, of course.  So, along with making tons of pickles for both the farm stand and the restaurant, here are some other things I've been doing while not blogging.

Dutch Oven Campfire Shephard's Pie:  All veggies and beef fresh from Anderson Farms and Dayton Place.    Really, I wrapped it up, put it in the coals of our campfire, then covered it with some more coals.  20 minutes later, voila.  Straight from the earth to our bellies.  I'm psyched it turned out this good.   

Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Peach, and a variety of jams that feature a little som'n som'n from a few habaneros.  Ouch.  Yum.  Not necessarily in that order.

                                                                         Got Scales?

                                           When you have leftover fruit
                                           And do not want to freeze it
                                           Just add some sugar, spice, and crust,
                                           And everyone will seize it.

                                           I knew I got that English degree for a good reason!
                                           Now I'm off to cook up some Peach-Habanero Jam.


                                          

Virginia II

This is Grandma's Pantry, at the Shenandoah Heritage Market, Harrisonburg, VA.  It's a bulk foods place that caters to people who are into baking, cooking, canning, and eating candy.  In other words, people like me.  

I swear, when I saw the Country Canner for the first time, angels floated down, took my hands, and led me into this little heaven.  I am always very inspired to get right home and put up a zillion jars of whatever is available after a visit here, also a shop in the Shenandoah Heritage Market.

Check out the dozens of samples the Country Canner provides each day to its customers.  I can't think of a flavor these folks haven't thought of.                        

Now, as much as I'm always in favor of creating something original, this did not please the taste buds one bit.  Still, it's a good effort, and what's wrong with getting a little funky?

                                

  

Virginia I

We left for Virginia on the 3rd, and we just arrived home on the 11th.  It was our longest trip away from home with the kids, and I hereby admit it was a success.  The girls are getting easier and easier to travel with, so we were able to throw in some fun events on the way.  I took 400 photos while we were gone.  I overdo it with the camera completely intentionally all the time, as I figure I'm bound to get a few decent shots out of the hundreds I take.  Here are some of the things we encountered during the first couple days of our vacation.

                          

 The Crayola Factory, Easton, PA.  We had a good time here, and there were plenty of arts and crafts to be conquered.  Our girls were not prepared to sit still for any amount of time however, so we mostly took in the on-your-feet exhibits and programs designed for younger kids.   









The Canal Museum, Easton, PA.  This place was just as fun for our kids as Crayola.  Interactive physical fun is the way to go after several hours in a minivan. 

Easton, PA Farmer's Market, the oldest farmer's market in America, is right across the street from Crayola on  Saturday mornings.  It delivers terrific local peaches and plums, Amish fare and wares, and local jam at 6 bucks a jar.   No, I didn't buy any.  It just made me want to buy a crate of peaches and make some myself, but I didn't do that either.  Next time, I swear!

Maine Visits Virginia, Summer '10

We're visiting family in Virginia, and you can imagine why I haven't blogged in a few days.  Triplets, twins, and one tough singleton.

River Castle

 



 There's nothing like spending time down at the swimming area at my Mom's place in the summer.  I have looked forward to it all year.  This summer has really just begun, and I'm already excited for next year.








The girls and their cousins created this river's-edge masterpiece recently.  I don't think my mom was completely aware that the girls were using her flower garden, along with other local greenery, to decorate their castle.   











 Here's a view of the Saco from the castle.  The girls have made me promise that we will swim at Grammie's every day this summer.  I'm pretty sure we'll come close to every day.

Cherries

Yesterday the girls and I trekked up to Dole's Orchard for some of whatever might be in season there.  They do a pretty big berry and apple-picking business, but we were lucky enough to pick some of these beautiful, super-tart cherries.  We brought them home with a bunch of rhubarb and strawberries.  We ate just a few of the cherries before cooking the rest into jam.  Best right out of the pot, it's like eating cherry pie without the crust.  Next:  Cherry pie (with the crust).

Father's Day, 2010

We LOVE the Riverhouse in Portsmouth.  It's the second time in a week that we drove an hour to go out to dinner at the place.  Joe and I (left, in case you don't know) had only been out to dinner twice all year prior to last week.      

Next up, beach day with the girls.  Joe is an incredible dad.  I don't tell him enough.

And finally, we took the girls to their first real movie at a real movie theater.  We saw Toy Story, which was all it was said to be (decent).  We were that family.  You know- the ones making all the noise, switching seats left and right, kids getting up to use the potty every other scene.  It was perfect.  No photo of all that, sorry.  Happy Father's Day.