Father's Day part 2

We are a picking family. It has been a tradition to go as often as we can to pick your own whatever. Today was sweet cherries. Livia has been waiting all year for this. She says cherries are her favorite fruit ever. I don't think George or Virginia ever met a cherry they didn't like either.

Troy spotted the best place in the whole orchard. Well, let me go back. We wanted to go cherry picking the day before, but there were crazy thunderstorms throughout the day. Well, this tree must have fallen in the storm because all the cherries were still good, and the leaves were just starting to wilt. This was perfect for us short people to gather all the cherries our hearts/mouths could want! The kids didn't have to wait for Troy to take them up the ladder, they just walked right in the branches and got boxes full of cherries that were on the top of the tree.

Father's Day part 1

I wish I could say Troy woke up to birds chirping and breakfast in bed, but it was probably more like Ginnie crying for us and Troy bringing her to me to feed her so we can both lay there a little longer. (to be honest, I don't remember) Then, rushing out the door to church. Yes, I am ashamed to say, I forgot it was Father's day in the morning. I realized it after seeing the car show at church, and I quickly said, "Happy Father's day!" before anyone else did, but I forgot everything I planned. Can you tell I am NOT a morning person? Thankfully we celebrate "Patient Father's Day." One more reason why I love that man. ♥

So, before you see pics, you should know that we went to church, then drove to Baugher's in Westminster to pick cherries. The gift giving happened after all of that, and before we ordered pizza. (I was going to shock trauma to visit a friend who was in a car accident- he is ok and home now) Troy had a quiet night with his babies since I was out.

The Fire pit for the backyard

The DAD picture
(the idea was taken from a lovely bargain friend!)

A special treat!

Pressure washer writing skills

With the new deck comes the need for a new tool. Troy wanted a pressure washer. The man doesn't spend much, or ask for anything really, and it IS for home upkeep.....so, we got a good one. Ummm, happy Father's day, ha ha!

This was after he used it to clean out the little intex pool. He showed the kids how dirty the sidewalk was by writing their names. Yes, this was last week and it is still there. He hasn't been able to clean off the rest of the walk, but until then, the kids are having a blast tracing the letters with chalk. It is better than sitting at a desk, right?

We don't have a tree we can carve into. This is City love!

loving our CSA

So, coupled with our new picnic table, and weekly pick ups of fresh, organic fruits and veggies, we have been eating new foods outside. I have had to get a little creative since it is leafy green veggie season. I mean really, how many ways are there to prepare chard?
I did make a rock'n veggie lasagna though. Even the kids loved it. See below? That's not staged. ha ha. Actually, I have pretty good eaters. Our rule is to try everything and you need to eat all of something. The kids change what foods they "don't like" as fast as George can say Super Cool! so I'm not worried.

SPLASH!

The kids can't swim. Well, they are (almost 5), 3, and (almost) 1 years old. I'll cut them a little slack. But I want them to swim, for all those wonderful reasons. I called and surfed the web all over for lessons and prices. WOWZA! $35/kid/30 mins. for private lessons. That is more than a $1 a min! The YMCA and Kid's First are more my price, but far away. So, I get desperate and cry out to my FB page. And my knights in shiny speedos come to my rescue! J and A (from churh) are willing (they said they are even excited) to teach my kids in their pool! I am exctatic! Not only do I love them, but they come as a pair. One person/ kid! I get to float around with the baby and get a tan. Liv and George went once so far and have asked every day when they are going again. As soon as the sun comes out again!

CSA goodness

Greens, Greens, everywhere!

This is our second week of pick up from a local CSA. I have a new task of finding different wants to cook chard, other greens, and use up a lot of lettuce and cabbage. I can easily use the radishes, scallions, spinach we get. They are very versatile. It is those dang greens! Maybe a veggie lasagna.

I tried this recipe today (from the farm recipe page).

Greens and Chickpeas aka “Cowboy Beans”
One bunch greens- kale, collards, or spinach (If using kale or collards, chop into small pieces and boil.) 5 T. ketchup 1 chopped onion 1 clove of garlic 1 can chickpeas.

In a frying pan sauté one onion chopped and a clove of garlic. Add about 1/2 c. ketchup and a little bit of cider vinegar. Cook that down a little, you may need to add some water later. Add the greens and the drained, rinsed can of chickpeas. Let the flavors blend together. Keep an eye on the amount of liquid. I need to add water sometimes to keep the mixture damp. My daycare kids used to call these cowboy beans. The original recipe had you make your own ketchup from tomato paste and vinegar - feel free, I’m too lazy.

The kids only wanted to eat the "sweet beans that tasted like french fries and catchup" and left the greens. And yes, I tried the, "Popeye likes greens" trick. They have eaten greens cooked the southern way, so I know they will. I'll just keep trying.

Ok, ok. I'm a little crafty. ugh.

I have made these little bouquets for baby showers for a few years now. My SIL gave me a baby sock bouquet for my first baby shower and I have been inspired ever since. I have made little boutonnieres for the Dad-to-be, and larger bouquets that sit in a vase for a centerpiece. Just today, my friend Dewey showed me where someone made them with little hats, onsies and bibs. Maybe I'll try that next. Thanks Dewey!


As an after thought and for my bargain buddy Veronica, I'll do a tutorial. First let me get a cup of tea, because this is kind of relaxing.

Here is how:

Materials- fake flowers, floral tape, baby socks

Pop off fake flower head, I like to keep the leafy part to put with the sock flower.

Toss the fake flower. See, I'm tossing it right over my shoulder. Don't question, just do.

For a small rose, use one sock (but please give the recipient an even amount of roses so they can pair all the socks up!) The small size is good for a boutonniere if you would like to include the Dad-to-be.

Roll towards the toe of the sock.

Secure the rose with floral tape (have to wrap it 4-6 times to cover the end.)

Add the leafy part first, then stick on the sock flower to the stem.

Press them together, and if needed, wrap more floral tape under the bud (leafy part and sock) to hold it still on the stem).

For a larger rose, use two socks, rolled into one.

See, told you it would be larger.

Tie a ribbon around a bunch, add a tag if so inclined. The one my SIL gave me had a cute poem on it, but I am too lazy to find one, and print, AND cut. Way too many steps. (Don't laugh)
Took about 4 mins, start to finish. No I didn't time it exactly, but my tea was ready when the flower was. :)

I get Troy

I was refreshing the tissue boxes around the house and gave Livia the choice for her room. I figured she would want the ones with the "barbies" on it (she has no idea what HSM is), but she looked embarrassed and picked the blue flower one instead. I asked her if she was sure, and she reminded me that the blue will look better in her room. :) So, that means Troy is staring at me from MY night stand now. Ha ha!

Home improvements- wall art

I have been meaning to do this for a loooooooong time. At our old house we had a stairwell full of pictures in frames that matched our old sofa. (reminded me of the colors in the 'Bold' Crayola marker box) Well, new wall color, new sofa, and black accents around the room, meant the Bold colors won't work. So, I painted all the frames black (that paint and primer in one is awesome!) and hung them up. To fill the gaps (strategically placed, mind you) I drew some filegrie with my new sharpie! I bet Troy didn't see that coming when he gave it to me- HA!

What I did learn was- we have precious few of Troy's family. Warning to the Stouffers- we will be in PA soon, armed with the camera! I will continue to work up the wall and to the right.

Back update

Sooooo...... the back injections didn't work. No improvement. They injected L5 and L4. I am on the books to try again but have the injections in the lower area, S1 and S2. That is to happen July 30. Until then, the Dr. gave me a back brace. I'm trying to think of some good stories to tell if people ask about it. I was thinking of telling people, "This is just a consequence of professional mud wrestling." Or, "You mean this isn't a new fashion statement? Oh, how embarassing!" Any other suggestions?

This is Bird town, or so they say.

George is a member of the Orioles/CFA duggout club. He gets to go to 10 (specific) games this season for free and can bring any of his friends along for $6. Well, Troy offered to drive, pay for parking, food and drinks if George would take him. George is a very sweet boy who will take his "bestest Daddy" because Daddy is "Supercool."

Bestest Daddy and Son. Aw. ♥

Strawberry picking!

After the early service at church, we headed to Lohr's orchard to pick strawberries. It was a lovely day (last year we quit just before the rain came) and after all the hard work, we had a picnic by the pond. We brought Wawa cream cheese pretzels, cheese and pepperoni, and of course, STRAWBERRIES!

She picked for the box 30%, ate 70%

If we gave him a large margin of error, he might have picked to take home 2% and ate 98%.
Don't believe me- just look at his berry!

What is this? Someone took a picture of me?

This was the bounty before I took the kids on a tour and left Troy in the field to get another half a box! He is a good field worker. :)

Plum tuckered out!

Memorial weekend fun

Memorial weekend was filled with yard work and play. For us, any job takes twice as long because someone always has to be watching the kids. But we were able to tag team some weeding, planting, mulching around the house. The kids were happy to just play, and Troy and I were happy to get a lot of things done.

Having a "birthday party" for a lucky Momma. (They like to throw pretend parties a lot)

Liv and George decorated, LOL.

I love it when they swing on their bellies and hold hands. :)

Ooops, no one is watching the kids!