Fall fun

So we've been a bit absent 'round these parts as of late.  Sorry!!!  Life has been full but in a good way.

While our weekdays/evenings are pretty rushed, we relish our weekends.  Aren't they the best?  This fall God has been putting on quite a show for us and we are loving every minute of it.

Clear, sunny days.  Endless blue sky.  Jewel-colored foliage.  Warm temperatures with a touch of that cooler weather that we know is just around the corner.  Who am I kidding--cooler temperatures is a joke.  It will be freezing, gray and slushy in no time!  All the more reason for us to live it up in fall.

One great way to do that is by taking a trip to the farm.  Hay mazes, piles 'o pumpkins, scarecrows and a few four legged creatures.

On my list of things to do was to get an apple fritter to enjoy.  Mmmmmm I love them!  I think everyone felt the same way.

After that delicious ball of fried goodness, we took a walk around the orchard.

I spy with my little eye...some sister love!  Ha--quick, capture it!!!

Beach Vacay 2016--off to the farm

White sugar-sand beaches, aquamarine warm water, blue skies with puffy white clouds, that lingering scent of sunscreen, a cold drink in your hand and heat in the mid-90s.  Ahhh, there's nothing like a beach vacation!  Actually I guess most of the country has been sharing in the heatwave, but somehow, when you're listening to the waves and water lap, it is blissful...otherwise it is just down right dreadful!

We headed out to drive down to the Florida panhandle but stopped along the way to visit my family who live around the midway point.  All was good until we were crossing the river over into KY and then a little person got carsick.  Poor baby!  At least she knew it was coming on, so we were able to arm her with a bag that caught most of the sick.  After a brief stop at the local Walgreens for a clothing change/wet-wipe round up and purchase of Dramamine, Lysol and ginger-ale, we were trucking it down the highway again without any more incidences.

First stop?  Southwestern KY.  We always stay with my Nana, who is rounding the corner on 91--spry bird that she is, but also got a chance to see my Aunt who owns and runs a fun, unique store/farm/garden patch.

Nana always makes us feel welcome and is such a gracious host.  She is, in my mind, an expert at entertaining and makes it seem like no big deal--whether she is hosting 4 or 44.  

After we had unpacked and visited for a while, we headed up to the Garden Patch to poke around and pick up a few new plants.  It is always so fun to see what my Aunt has been doing!  

Isn't this bunting off of an old quilt just great?!  I love how she strung it up in the barn over the place where the cash register is.

 We always get so many ideas and find inspiration around every turn.

 The girls loved seeing the chickens and (not pictured) the goats and black sheep.

It really is the simplest things:  they both LOVED playing with Nana's walker, her cane and the cats. The cats were not nearly as amused.  Ha!

The next morning we were up bright and early (hello 5 a.m.) to eat breakfast and then get on the road. Not sure how enthusiastic Nana was about the extra "help" as she was getting ready, but she sure was a good sport ;)

 And this is how we all feel about 7 hours into the drive.  Nothing left to do but just sleep!

Next stop--Florida!

It's strawberry time!!

At the beginning of the summer the girls and I sat down to create our "summer list" of fun things to do.  Highlights always include:  go see a movie in the movie theater, eat lots of ice cream from all of our local spots, read tons of books/library book club and pick berries.

Yesterday was the day.  Cooler temperatures, a free afternoon, bellies ready for strawberries!  Yum ;)

Since our morning was pretty booked, we left after lunch.  Now I know that is a dangerous time for Mei Mei to drive any distance in the car because she typically falls asleep.  And when she falls asleep and has to be woken up, she can be a real bear.  But, what can you do when the farm is 25 minutes away and it is 2 in the afternoon?  Hope for the best, that's what!

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.  She was in a real funk when we finally pulled into the farm.  Crying, whining, yelling--the whole, ugly, nine yards.  A certain adult may or may not have lost her cool. Thankfully the Noodle stayed calm and kept out of it.  #smartmove

We almost, almost left, because when you're turning 5 in a few days and you dig your heels in, refusing to walk, what else can you do?!  Thankfully, she eventually settled down, pulled herself together and then was in the best mood.  Go figure-ha!

I don't know if it was later in the season or the fact that we've been so dry, but at first, we had a hard time even finding any berries to pick.  Once we found some bushes and settled in, we realized that the berries were pretty small.  I got wise this year and only took 2 buckets for the 3 of us.

That ended up being the perfect amount because I could go back and forth helping each girl out, we were out there just long enough to keep everyone motivated (with the reminder of frozen custard as the reward at the end!) and yet we picked enough berries to make it worthwhile.  Win!

At the end of a berry picking session we always stop and get frozen custard from a little farm stand close by. That sweet treat always tastes soo good and is a true snapshot of  all the things I love about summer--hanging with my girls, making memories, eating yummy food!

Here's to summer!!

Raspberries!

Yum, yum ohhh yummm!!

The end of summer means the start of raspberry picking time.  These little fellas are so delicious aren't they?!

We went to our "farm in the city" to pick last weekend and it did not disappoint.

We headed out to row 2blue and started picking.  The littlest one wasn't nearly as into it this time and she probably ate her weight in berries (and paid for it later...).  Ugh.

By the end, it was mainly J and I picking--the older one had petered out too.

We still got quite a haul and have been eating raspberries at most meals.  Love them.

Since it was well past lunch, we decided to go to a local 1950's restaurants.  Milkshakes, french fries and burgers (or grilled cheese) all around.  Big smiles from everyone!