Veggies

The process of learning........anyway, I've been trying to share pictures of the veggies we've grown this summer, but have been having problems. I will try again. Here are some pictures of some of our veggies. We have been sharing with family and friends in the area and with the "Plant-A-Row" program which goes to the local food pantry. Also have shared overgrown squash with some tortoises (another story for later).



I have canned tomato juice and even tried a tomato jam this year. Pretty good! I canned a lot of pickled beets as they seem to be a family favorite. No cucumber pickles this year. Too hot and dry for the cucumbers to do very well. I'll try again next year. It's fun to have FRESH produce to eat and to share. YUM !!!

A visit with the boys

Another highlight of our summer was the visit of our grandsons from Colorado - Tony's boys - Jacob, Isaac, and Jonathon. We only had a couple of days with them at the end of July. We did the "tourist" thing by going to see Rockford's big deal - a "teenaged" t-rex, Jane, at Burpee Museum.

(Here's the line-up: Riley, Grandpa, Jacob, Tony, Julie, Jonathan, and Isaac.)

"Jane" and the history stuff was OK, but the boys and Riley enjoyed more the Discovery Center where they got to explore and do all kinds of stuff. Here Isaac and Jonathan are playing at the outdoor water station.










As we have done the past couple of years, we celebrate the boys birthdays and Julie's when we are together. The boys grow taller each year.......and Julie......oh, well....we'll never tell!!









But I think the highlight of the evening was the marshmellow shooter "wars" with the big kids. These silly little "guns" and a bag of miniature marshmellows sure make for fun. Look at the expression on Jonathan's face!! Our front lawn had all these white and pastel "dots" on it the next day!!!

We enjoy their visits and can't wait for next summer when we will see the boys again!!