Late Summer Beach Vacation

Presque Isle, PA

We have been here every year for 5 years.  We usually make it a quick trip. It is 2 hours from our house and somewhat manageable for a day trip.

This trip however, my parents made the arrangements. Three nights booked at a hotel and the whole family had a long weekend vacation at the beach, pool, and BBQ.  Thank you Mom and Dad!

We had enough adults that after putting all three little ones to bed, someone could be with them while the rest of the adults were able to have fun couple, sister, and mother/ daughter time.  A time to truly treasure.

 Enjoying the beach

Best friends and cousins

Time with Grandma

 

I found a sustainable Pick your own Peach orchard.

Pick your own peaches were $.50 a pound.

We filled a 5 gallon bucket and then bought apples and plums from their cooler.

Our total $19.00

Myself at the Peach Orchard.

I am not sure if I can explain this, but picking food brings me great joy.

My whole family was joyful in the orchard.  Maybe I was actually giddy.

My husband had to say,  "OK, I think we should stop picking". We did need to to get them home in a rather full vehicle. But it was truly fun and joyful.  We ate a few in the field.

Which way do we start Mama?

Full Trees

Beautiful Peaches everywhere!

He was very involved in filling his shorts with shotgun shells. Not sure how healthy that is. To him is was treasure.

Always loves to say hello to a chicken friend.

Elderberries and Peaches

Our days are blessed with Elderberries and Peaches of late.

Elderberry Pancakes:

Elderberrry and Peach Jam:

Bountiful Blemishes

I remember the first time my little boy was blemished.
I was so sorry that I let him get hurt. Mad at myself that he was no longer "perfect"!
I made special socks so he would not slip on the tile floors. I researched childproofing so that he would not bump his precious head on a corner.
And then another bruise followed a knot on the head or a scrap to the knee, even under the most careful eye.
Most from little explorations.
My second son had a series of scratches on his cheeks from his big brother.  Thankfully a phase that has been outgrown.  My heart ached to see my 1 year old with a scratch upon his beautiful cheeks.

And now:
When I put my boys in the bath I notice a little scraped knee, or a small bruise, a mosquito bite or a slight scratch.  I could be sad, but I decided to look at what they were doing while they received these bites of life.
Climbing a tree, chasing our chickens home, riding a bike, while completely engulfed in play.
I decided to say to myself: These are beautiful bruises, marks of a life well lived.
I have heard my father-in-law say several times.  "It takes seven scars to make a man". I must agree with him here and add that bountiful blemishes add character in the form of life lived and a bit of humbling reality, because sometimes we must all be brought back to earth.

Several months ago I acquired beautiful ceramic tiles that were being given away.  I thought they would make a pretty stepping stone type path through my flower garden.  I did not factor in the speed at which my boys move outside.  Of course in the first week, my eldest cut his toe on a broken tile.  Months later the scar remains. He still remembers what the scar is from and may for the rest of his days. Hopefully his memory will be of the carefree manner in which he ran from the door on an adventure and not of the pain from the cut.

Through observation and study I realize that my strongest memories come from a time when my emotions were the strongest.  All I have to do is look at the palm of my right hand, spy the flat scar, and I remember riding roller skates on the sidewalks of my hometown.  I look at my mother's doll Annie that we were allowed to play with as children and I remember the saga between my sisters of whose turn had come to play with her.  Oh, there were tears! And lessons to be learned.

We forgot shoes on a trip to the orchard.

I must remember this when there are tears and it seems that I can't deal with another tear or administer another band aid.  Thus is life, the way we learn.
I would prefer my sons have mosquito bites (so many that one wonders if they have chicken pox at times), because they spent an hour in the sandbox or a fun day of play, rather than, to stay indoors because we are afraid.  Fear stalls learning rather than developing it.
I may wonder how they acquired such a bruise or scrap. I will offer sympathy, but I will not feel guilt.
For these Bountiful Blemishes are all experiences that will make them into the men they were meant to be.

Overdose of Birthday Cake and icing

 

Two birthday boys, Three Celebrations in one week.

I love cake!  I love making them, I love decorating them, I love sharing them, and I really enjoy eating them.

But I do believe I am caked out. At least for a week.

My husband requested a banana creme cake. He saw the picture in a library book I had checked out in the Spring. It did not turn out like the picture, but was delicious.

The cake was created by an artist.  A woman who paints cookies with a paint brush.  I enjoy decorating cakes and cookies, but usually with a few flowers.

By the time I was finished with this cake, I was tired and it was hard to keep a steady hand to write PAPA with a spatula. I used 3 dozen eggs between the cakes and frittatas served at the birthday party.

This cake is a three layer white cake with a homemade custard filling, bananas, and a meringue icing.  Her icing recipe was too complicated so I resorted to the good old 7 minute fluffy icing with my own twist.

 

7 Minute Fluffy Icing: (Great to ice a dairy free cake)
2 room temperature egg whites (yolks were in custard)
2 tsp honey (makes icing taste like honey, can use corn syrup if you keep it in your house)
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup water

place stainless steel bowl over pan of boiling water. I then remove from stove because my hand mixer's cord does not reach the stove. Beat on high for 6-7 minutes.  I like the icing fluffy so I stopped at 6 minutes, continue for more firm icing.  Ice cake immediately. The icing with stiffen some.

Marble Heart Cake:
Joel asked for a heart cake with dark Chocolate icing.

Chocolate Ganache:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

In stainless steel bowl over pan with hot water place cream and chips.  Whisk together while melting.  When mixture turns dark add vanilla and butter.  Whisk until butter melts. Let cool slightly but apply to cake while warm.