Summer's End

Today marks the final day of the kids' summer break.  

There was plenty of down time and self direction peppered with day trips, friends, movies, bonfires, parties and finally a great vacation.  

This last day of break will be filled with little last minute school prep errands, maybe with a little something to make the day extra special. Until next time summer....

#100HappyDays :: Day 57

We took the kids on a little outing yesterday to a trampoline park, and then out to lunch.  It was a fun afternoon, the boys played hard, and then intently watched Portugal in a soccer match, commentating all of the way.  Of course the afternoon was topped off by intense debate about the strengths and weaknesses of certain super heroes.  Observing our little boys teeter back and forth, on that edge between childhood and becoming young men, a happy spot indeed.

#100HappyDays :: Day 45

After two months of planning and rescheduling a few times due to rain, yesterday, this happened!  When I was growing up, my house was the hang out house.  We had a pool, basket ball hoop, pool table, and my folks always kept a stocked fridge.  My group of friends had countless sleep overs, it was a highlight of my adolescence.

Sidney had expressed that she wanted the same thing, but we do not have a pool.  No we only have six acres, basket ball, volleyball, bad mitten, fire pit, archery, a trampoline and tons of animals...but that is boring!  We were considering an above ground pool and when one came up for re-sale for a great price from a local family we jumped on the opportunity.  We need to finish the back-fill area around it and take a power washer to the outside but it is about good to go.  Next year we will add a deck around the back.  A happy moment yesterday, envisioning happy summer days ahead.

Solstice Weekend

This last weekend was full of busy celebration.  The weather here has been un-summerlike for late June; fairly cool, rain almost daily, and lots of fog.  Despite this, every moment this weekend that truly mattered was enveloped in a ray of sunshine to remind us that it is really summer.  On the solstice we dodged rain drops all day.  When it came time for our Solstice Celebration at the Eco-Justice Center, the sun came through just in time for a spectacular sunset on the longest day.  Perfect to enjoy the Native American drumming and stories around the medicine wheel.

Sunday a high school classmate of B's arrived for a short visit (thank you facebook for rekindling old friendships).  He and his wife rode all the way here from Tulsa on their motorcycle and headed out this morning toward the U.P.  We welcomed them in true farm style with a garden supper complete with a large beer tasting and a welcoming party of Wisconsin friends to celebrate.

The adults enjoyed the garden, while the kids picnicked on the grass and played the evening away.

Yesterday after work and running to appointments and 4h activities we enjoyed another lovely garden dinner with our friends and off they went this morning...in what else, more fog.  Great to finally meet you Tim & Jeanice, until next time!  I'd say quite the perfect weekend to celebrate midsummer.

Random Five Friday

1.  I am balancing my oh so frou-frou picnic basket for our Ravinia concert experience tonight by filling it with only homemade and garden grown items; cucumber salad, dill pickles, dilly beans, honey, red currant jelly, sweet potato biscuits, and elderberry wine.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to see Lyle Lovett tonight, a long time wish, granted.

2.  In order to milk every last moment out of summer, this week we made our annual trip to the Renaissance Faire, I love that place.  I then took the kids to the pool every day when I got home from work, and we were sure to indulge in ice cream and special meals...because what else do you do during the summer!?

3.  My little girl began the 7th grade yesterday.  Where does the time go?  She is growing up so fast, and meeting the new year head on with grace.

4. The kids are HUGE David Tennant fans.  He is their favorite Doctor (yet they will always give the new ones a chance),  and being not just a pretty face, he's a fabulous Shakespearean actor.  Since we are suckers for BBC America and quite proud that we are cultivating that in the children, we have begun watching Broadchurch.  Beyond my crying through most of the first episode, it looks to be a great whodunnit.  Are you watching it??

5.  Yep, it appears we have another batch of these little ones!

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Preservation Sunday's Return

A few years ago, I began a series of posts called Preservation Sunday.  It just seemed that was the time when much of our food storage would take place.  Today as the temperatures are beginning to soar and I am in doors from the garden, I decided to take care of some of this weeks harvest.  On Friday we harvested about 10 pounds of Rhubarb.  Today, in the spirit of the wonderful cordials that I began making last year, I made a rhubarb cordial...and I must say it's amazing!

I started with a bunch of rhubarb, this was just under 4 1/2 pound.  I cleaned it, trimmed the ends, then gave it a large chop and tossed it into a big pot. 

Then added 1 3/4 cups of water, brought it to a boil then reduced the heat and allowed it to simmer for 30 minutes.

 At this time I strained all of the rhubarb, carefully trying to catch every last drop until I was left with this amazing pink liquid. 

I returned the liquid to my big pot and added 1 1/2 cups of sugar.  Once again I brought it to a boil stirring frequently, and then simmered it for 5 minutes. 

 During this time I skimmed off the foam.  Once done,  pour it into sterilized bottles, refrigerate, and enjoy!  A little time consuming, but very easy and with great rewards.

You add one part cordial to two parts liquid.  It is as simple as mixing it with a little ice water, or a great additive to lemonade or soda water.  My personal favorite is to add some to a glass of white wine.  So many uses, and never enough cordial.  It always disappears much too fast, but I guess that works out, because I'll soon be on to all of the berry cordials.