Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Me

Gorgeous, sweet, juicy peaches from Hubby's folks delivered by BIL Bill on Friday evening were made into jam and peach pie filling on Saturday evening by Becky and myself.
Sounds easy enough.
{insert Peaches sung by The Presidents of the United States of America here} Yep, we played it.
Saturday was very warm. Becky and I had a really busy week. We were tired but jumped into the process. I've always made my filling and then froze it in a freezer bag but this year I had seen where Paula Deen used a different recipe and froze it in the pie shell. We lined the pans with wax paper and filled, covered with foil, froze and then later I slipped the whole pie into a freezer bag. When we're ready for a peach pie this winter we just have to make the crust and pop in the frozen disc of filling.
Important tip! Foil pans are much cheaper at a dollar store.

Becky and I were tired and hot, we made some mistakes, we were not looking good and I forgot some ingredients at the grocery store. So, we made a deal with Max. He had to go to the grocery store and find *fruit fresh, bottled lemon juice and *quick cooking tapioca. Then he was allowed to go to Kassie's house.

*I have never bought these items and had NO clue where he should look. If he couldn't bring back the goods, no go.

Hah!

He found them, like I knew he would.

Some days a Mom just has to use what little power she has left to her advantage.


Our peach jam didn't set. Max thinks it's okay though and had it for his game day breakfast. It is a tad runny but tastes delicious. I think it will be good on pancakes or a pork roast.

Sam and I went to the game in Lakewood last night, LC lost but Max caught a pass and played a pretty good game. This was the only game Sam could catch before leaving.
Obviously I need a press pass so I can get closer for photo ops. Max is on the left.

Living It Up On the Road

Let's revisit the Tin Can Tourist show.
I may need help remembering why I took the photos that I did, so I'll just journal it on the blog and then you can come along too.

Sometimes the wood can't be restored and this one had a clean, simple and pretty paint job. I liked the stove hood green. And our wood may need paint.

No joke, this trailer looked like a Restoration Hardware catalog. Made me want to get Hubby a smoking jacket and move in.



Good idea-an antique bed warmer. Better start looking for one of those.

Beyond clever! A bathtub in the bench of the dining banquette.

I loved this idea of having a headboard and reading lights. So civilized.

This trailer is an Aloha and I think it was a 1958. They embraced the Hawaiian theme with a surfboard table, a rattan ceiling and happy hour. They took out the stove, probably looked like ours, bought a new cook top and made a small bar area. Rethinking the original space. Curtain sewn from sarongs.



Loved her upholstery! I may choose a different color for mine but this looked sharp and she had a good tip, use a marine upholsterer.

Uhmmm yea, I don't plan on the Great Pumpkin coming to our place anytime soon.

Some used metal in the kitchen area.

Loved this car and the owners. A young family towing a trailer similar to the Aloha. He showed us where they put the play and pack crib for the baby. I could only imagine all the great memories they are making with their children.

Cheerful cherry theme going on here. I like the "hutch" idea in the center.

As I went through all my pics I decided this one had to be a favorite. If you look through the window you'll see Holly scoping out the next place. It appears that she stepped out back for a smoke but really it's a tootsie pop one of the owners gave her. Holly was great to go with because she isn't shy about asking if we could go in, take photos, whatever. Thanks Holly! I hope it wasn't so stressful that you had to take up smokin'.

A fun afternoon with Holly and I could just feel the creativity vibes coming from the Tin Can Tourists. Loved it!

We Like Old Junk

You all may have thought we were trailer trash before but now it's official. Several years ago Hubby showed me a travel trailer over at his folk's farm. He told me he thought we could fix it up. Well, we've been a little busy, got side tracked and what not but the time has come for this little teeny project. We are the proud recipients of a 1957 aloha travel trailer.
It has potential.
Probably the potential to push us both right over the edge but here goes nothin'.

Yes, we plan on replacing the formica.
The stove and oven need a little work.
This is where our bed will be. Can you see it?
If you look behind the extra windows you'll notice the cutest ice box evah!
I have high hopes of restoring that screen door.
Some parts can be saved and some areas need to be gutted.
Today I went with Holly to the *Tin Can Tourist Rally. I got some groovy ideas. Now I just have to decide if I want to go vintage, luxury, kitchy, with a theme, practical or do whatever I want to. And what colors? Flooring, fabrics and formica, oh my!
What do you think?

*Later I'll give you a peek at what I saw at the rally. Vintage travel trailers are not for the faint of heart. But the end results are very, very. very cool.

Oh, I'm just so excited. Could you remind me when I am tired of the process of restoring about how excited I am today.

Thanks-

A First

Caleb and Emilyn came over last night. After dinner,where my guys told E. to back off the meatballs-for crying out loud, I made plenty, had leftovers. I guess Max and Sam just LoVe to tease Miss E., the little sister they never had. Anyway, after dinner...we went for a ride to get some ice cream for dessert.

This was a first for Caleb and Emilyn, they had never ridden in a convertible, on the road. Not sure what that means, maybe Fair or Disneyland rides are considered off road. A good time was had by all.


Sometimes it is the little things in Life.

This afternoon, tomorrow morning and Monday I am at Sole Obsession. Now that the kids have all their new Fall clothes I think it is time for mama. Come in and I'll fix you up with something stylish. Hubby is working doubles all weekend, so I may as well work too.
I do have a little fun planned though.
Enjoy the sunshine this weekend-could be the last of summer...

Family Reunion

We had a family reunion at Silver Lake Park Labor Day weekend. This was with my Dad's brothers and his sister's families.
The leaves were turning and it was so beautiful up in the hills.




We did a lot of catching up.


We had a home tour. Uncle Darryl had to get his spot cleaned up because we were coming his way. Some stayed in the day lodge, some in motor homes or trailers and cabins. Fortunately no one stayed in a tent as we did have some rain.

The Vander Haaks and their spouses.

My Dad, Rich, Uncle Ed, Aunt Nelda, Uncle John and Uncle Darryl. Really they were happy to be together, they just don't smile BiG for pics.

My sisters, myself, my Mom and Hana, who jumped in unannounced.

Every reunion need some little kids! We had an abundance of high school kids. I was thankful they came.

Whoa kiddos! You may have a bar but Kathi will hand them to you. They made some mud and were a bit dirty.

Risk. The game of world domination. Hours and hours were spent taking over the world. The guys had their own cabin, nice idea.

We had craft night for the girls and made mini albums out of lunch bags. Now we just have to print some of the pictures we took over the weekend and glue them in. It was fun to see all of the creative ideas, everyone's book turned out different and cute.


Every once in a while it hits that Sam is leaving in two weeks for Fort Sill. Here it is hitting Uncle Bill.

On Monday morning Fred made the 'fat boy breakfast' and Bill made the lattes. Our guys jump in and help. Saturday night Jeff grilled flank steak and made stuffed mushrooms, Fred chopped up some fresh salsa for an appetizer, Bill was our barista all weekend. It makes it more fun for everyone when everyone jumps in and gets busy.

Now I am unpacking and doing a lot, no make that a mountain of laundry. Fun times!

Gathering Sympathy-NOT!

Remember "Mr. I better never miss a meal Max"? If not, let me refresh your memory with this.

He came home from football practice last night and instantly started in on a rant. Apparently, the varsity football team has dinner together before games, Max (well, actually Hubby and I) paid the fee and it is a done deal.

Tonight Max may not play varsity because he is short one practice so Coach Robb tells(or tries to tell him) that he needs to practice with the JV team tonight and so no dinner for him.

Max has a fit! This won't work. I(his chief cook) will not be home tonight, he thought he could eat with the team, now he may not get dinner!

He not only ranted at home but to the football coaches. {Insert embarrassment here}

The kid has no shame.

I think Robb was surprised.

Um, don't mess with Max's meals, man, you have NO idea.

This morning at boot camp Robb told me about it, uhm yea, I knew about it. I actually started hearing about it as Max walked in the door last night.

Robb assured the other coaches that Max won't starve. He told them to read my blog and see that I do cook- A LOT!

So Robb thought Max could grab some leftovers tonight. Yes, that should work as I made a pork roast, red potatoes and gravy, carrots and a banana cream pie for dinner last night.

Max is still ranting this morning as he shovels in leftover tater tot casserole for breakfast.

Inbetween bites he tells me we need bigger plates.


He gained 30 pounds of muscle since the first day of school last year.

Could we have a moment of silence for my grocery budget and sanity?

Thank you-