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Monday, August 1, 2011

At Home in the Country

We've just wrapped up the first of a three part summer stay-cation around the old farmhouse. We didn't venture far, but we were on a very relaxed schedule and the Artist said it best as he commented one evening, 'it's like being at a cottage, except we know where everything is in the kitchen'. And how.We've made peanut butter and chocolate ice cream (someone's favourite!), played games like Apples to Apples and caught up on our Harry Potter watching.
We ventured down the road to pick raspberries. The twins are officially at the age where the prospect of this venture was not in the least bit exciting but what is when you're on the verge of teenager-dom? And that face will be all aglow when a hot raspberry pie is pulled out of the oven on a dark and snow swirled evening in January. Oddly enough, Ember, who shall never partake of the pie, was the only one interested in learning what happens to all those little, red round berries that can roll so quickly across the floor.
There was lots of swimming. Our sweet neighbours recently installed a pool and then decided they'd rather be camping and left us in charge. And they really are sweet because they'll be doing it again next month. Can you say happy glimmer twins?
And the next time someone asks you if turtles fly, you'll be prepared with the right answer, won't you? I'm glad I could help you out with that. Have you flown a kite lately? And I don't just mean watched one, way, way up there but actually held the string in your hands and felt that gentle tug as the wind tries to carry away a toy for itself? Hang on to a kite today, there is no feeling like it. 
And then there was soccer, where some of us pretended we were the next Ronaldo, while some of us pretended we had never, ever played soccer before. 
And a vacation isn't a vacation without a few requisite naps. Some of us however, took this to heart a little more than others. And yes, that's Ember and yes, she's getting big. That's what happens when you don't.stop.eating.
And due to the lack of rain for almost five weeks, there has been an outdoor fire ban in our region. Pair that with a large deer fly population this year and s'mores were made inside, using our indoor/outdoor s'mores maker, purchased when we lived in the city. Sad but true. A testament to our former city life, I find it a little odd that it's still around. Just how long does one have to live in the country before all remnants of city life have been shed? Curious minds want to know.

 I'm joining:


~How's your summer shaping up friends?~



18 comments:

La Chili said...

Looks like a great summer, I wonder a lot about those teen days ahead (mine is only 5).

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love the marshmallow solution!!..lol.. and oh, just you wait until the 13's and 14's roll around. Yeah... that's... fun.

Deb said...

Okay, you're never gonna believe this but the other night I dreamt a turtle was flying over our house. It must have been your kite. Phew! I thought I was going crazy!

TexWisGirl said...

what a great vaca in your own home! love it! everyone looks to be enjoying it, naps and all!

Flat Creek Farm said...

Staycations can truly be the best, can't they? You've just proven it to me again :) Lucky family you are to have such wonderful neighbors with a *pool* they will share! I have to make mention that when the Fiddler lived in Dallas, a S'mores maker was one of the Christmas gifts I got for him. There must be S'mores, no matter where one is planted. It's really too dry here for a campfire as well, even though we were blessed with a wonderful rain a couple days ago. This 100 degree heat is eating it right up :( I so enjoyed this post! Enjoy! -Tammy

Genny said...

I've been quite seriously thinking and feeling that I could use a vacation. Money is a little tight with the horrific gas prices. But maybe I need to think about a stay cation instead! Yours sounds wonderful.

Linda said...

Great stay-cation. We've been going on day-cations this summer. Lovely to go, but great to come home and sleep in your own bed. :)

Carole said...

Looks like you've had a great time.

We've never had a 'real' vacation, stay or otherwise. I'm afraid that with five acres, if we tried a stay-cation it would end up being a work-cation. We'd never be able to look past all the stuff that needs doing. lol

Buttons Thoughts said...

Andrea what a great summer you are having. I seen the last Harry Potter movie and was not disappointed.
I flew a kite today with My youngest daughter. We have not done that for years it was fun. Keep enjoying your summer. B

A Wild Thing said...

Ya gotta love summer staycation don't ya!!!

Sorry I missed your shadow shot, what a fun portrait, I just never have enough time to check out all the shots till winter gets 'round and I'm no longer married to the garden and the day!

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Looks like you have been having a wonderful time together! The nice thing about a staycation is less stress - everything is familiar and laundry can be done as it's dirtied. :-) Mmmmmm.....smores are so good. What a handy contraption! And as far as the length of time city life hangs on....it's ok to keep a small portion of it. It's part of who you were and, therefore, who you are. :-) Have a great week!

Sally said...

Beautiful photo's~and, looks like a great deal of fun to go around.

:)

Michelle said...

Staycations are just the best. My kids would love your smore maker.

camp and cottage living said...

Your family knows what summers all about-fun!
Can't blame you for staying away from those deer flies-ouch.
S'mores taste good wherever you eat them!

mountain mama said...

Looks like fun, everything summer is about :)

Jocelyn said...

We love Apples to Apples at our house!

Your smores maker is neat. I've never seen that before!

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Sounds like a great summer so far. The raspberries look tasty and the kids sure look sweet splashing around in the neighbors' pool. Thanks for sharing.

Jamie said...

Hu there hopping over from the homestead blog hop and I will be following you for now on to see whta yuou all are up to.

That is nice to be in charge of your neighbors pool,cool!!!!
We chose this year to stay at home bc of the price of gas and all the animals.

Please come on opver and visit.