Zucchini Galore

I'm sure you'll all be able to relate to the too many zucchini thing.  This year we are no different, as you can see...

I've decided that one family needs only one plant. Or maybe one neighborhood needs only one plant?  I'm amazed by their colossal size.  We found a few yummy recipes.  This one is a hit with Ben and me (from my mom's old Mormon Country Cooking)...

...though the kids prefer things like chocolate zucchini cake or double chocolate zucchini bread from Lion House. Oh, and my friend said she liked Zucchini Chili Nachos. I'm sure there are an endless amount of recipes.  I would LOVE your comments and you can share your favorite way to use zucchini!

Raspberries Galore

When we bought this house we knew we'd also be getting big raspberry patches.  Little did we know how many raspberries could come out of them.

This week, so far, I've picked enough to make 8 batches of raspberry jam (freezer and boiled). That doesn't include those harvested by two sets of neighbors before that.

I got the frozen raspberry jam recipe from my wise neighbor:

• To 5 c. crushed raspberries add 1 box of MPC pectin and let sit for 20 minutes.
• Stir 3 1/2 c. sugar plus 1/2 c. corn syrup into berries and cook until "blood" or "bottle" warm. (Just to dissolve sugar. DO NOT BOIL.)
• Pour into freezer-worthy containers.

The raspberry jam recipe comes from my mom:

• To 6 c. crushed raspberries plus 2 c. crushed blackberries (or more raspberries) stir in 1 box MPC pectin and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Measure 8 c. sugar in a separate bowl (later you will need to add it all at the same time).
• Bring mixture to a boil stirring continuously.
• Add all of the sugar while stirring, to avoiding clumps, and return to a rolling boil.
• Turn down temperature to maintain a good simmer (I learned the hard way that if it is not rolling then the jam doesn't get cooked good enough).
• Boil for 8 minutes.
• Test jam by putting some on a cold dish; if it "sets up" then it is done.
• Pour into clean jars, wipe jar rims, top with heated canning lids, screw on band hand-tight and turn jars upside down. Leave for ten minutes, then right the jars and let stand. You will hear the lids begin to pop/seal.  (Note: because I don't bathe the jars the jam may not last as long on the shelf, but at my house it never lasts long enough to worry!)

This morning I used the rest of the leftover raspberries in raspberry-blueberry muffins. They turned out fabulous. A good way to spoil the family after all the hard work put into making the jam!

Ohio or Bust (Part VI)

The return trip home helped us grow an appreciation for our pioneer heritage. 

First we stopped and experienced life in Nauvoo.

We caught the sunset at the edge of the Mississippi River where the saints left Nauvoo for the last time.

We walked the same streets many faithful pioneers walked.

"The door bell is ringing!"

The kids got to help make rope the Nauvoo way.

We did as much as we could muster strength and time for in Nauvoo.  (Many missionaries said that you need a couple of days to really get the whole effect, but unfortunately we only planned a couple of hours.) Those few hours were worth it.  Just being able to see the newly built Nauvoo Temple will be a treasured memory! 

 

Our family standing where our first beloved Prophet Joseph Smith fell after being martyred.

(We just barely made it to Carthage in time to go on the last tour.)

Being pioneers is serious business...let me elaborate.

(Simple reenactment of handcart pioneers at W.Q.V.C.) 

The previous night (prior to arriving at Winter Quarters Visitor's Center) we tried to camp just outside of Des Moine, Iowa.  Setting up the tent proved uneventful.  However, at around 3 a.m. the wind started to blow.  (I have a hard time sleeping in tents anyway and I was the first one awake wishing the wind would stop blowing.)  Within a few minutes the speed of the wind increased so that everyone in the tent was awake.  The tent began to bend in half over the top of where I was sleeping and the worries kicked in.  I asked Benji how bad it got in Wyoming before their tents started "flying" away (another story where tents detached themselves from the ground with people in them).  He wasn't much help in putting my fears at ease. But Ben thought it best to stake down the tent some more.  Through all of the talking and staking the wind speed was increasing.  Kayla started screaming that she was going to die and took cover in the car. I wasn't feeling much better about the situation.  After saying a prayer Ben and I decided we would pack up and go (sleeping really isn't an option when you feel like you'll be blown away in the wind).  Ben ended up driving as far as he could and then we slept the rest of the night in the car.  To say the least, tent camping gave us a true appreciation for a small portion of what the pioneers experienced--smeltering heat to high speed winds.  

We made one last visit to the Moss Family's North Platte, Nebraska homes.

Here is the second one on Cedarberry Road.

Our goal was to make it home by Saturday noontime.  But after the windy camping experience in Iowa we weren't in the mood to try it again. We managed with naps and a few pit stops to drive the rest of the trip home.  I was almost in tears as I got into my own bed at 3:10 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2011. 

 There is no place like home! 

Ohio or Bust (Kings Island Detour)

We couldn't pass up the chance to go to King's Island, so we decided to do an evening only.  Our first ride was in the water rapids...

before...

...after

(little did we know that this was only the beginning, of getting wet, that is)

 I had fun with the younger kids and caught some precious moments--Hyrum, especially as the flying ace!

Ally and the kids just couldn't keep their lips off of Snoopy.

The best part was Mom and Dad could "let down their hair" and be kids again!

 P.S. It doesn't show, but we spent the last two hours of the night trying to dodge the pouring rain.  Most of the rides were closed down, which led to some disappointment, but the memories will be forever embedded in our minds.  Gene Kelly can't hold a candle to our version of "singing in the rain."

Ohio or Bust (Part V)

Ohio with the Thomsons is more than just "home"...it's more like a dream vacation:

Theater room/Wii extraordinaire

(I intentionally left the red eyes since there is the danger they may exit as zoombie-children.)

 Sprinkler parks close by

 Perfect neighborhood walk and park

 

 

(Cousin Kenneth and Neal)  

Minutes away from the United States Air Force Museum and Memorial Park

(Cousin Alison)

(Cousin Brent)

Indoor Spa facilities

and the best restaurant in town

(okay, so this picture is P.M. pizza, but they can make some awesome vittles)!

(Cousin Gregory)

Ohio or Bust (Part IV)

Our last night before reaching our destination we broke down and paid for a motel so that we wouldn't have to sweat it out.  (Although, Ben still did, since he got sick that night.)  Can't beat the free breakfast either!

 As you can see, multitasking is not a problem for me. 

 We decided to take advantage of one last excursion to break up the monotony of driving--Lincoln's New Salem Village--in Petersburg, Illinois.  If you look close at Kayla's face, she's forcing a smile.  We were all dripping wet with the intolerable heat and humidity.  You also have to note that the building behind the girls was the most original building in the village and it was where Abraham Lincoln spent many hours reading by the cooper's fire, educating himself for great things to come. 

Thanks for coming along with us on our journey!

We made it to Ohio without any major difficulties (just before 11 p.m. EST) and the cousins were excited to see us. They haven't had any problems entertaining each other since we arrived.

Ohio or Bust (Part III)

Our first adventure on Monday afternoon was the Independence Visitor Center.  (The Community Church of Christ's temple building is in the background.)  Don't let our hair blowing in the wind fool you, we were frying hot! 

William W. Phelp's printing press shop re-creation where we heard the story of the two youngs girls who saved some of the printed copies of the "Book of Commandments".

Sammie stirring up our grub in the mini-pioneer cabin.

 "Hold on, Ally!  This ride may get bumpy!" The kids had a great time moving west with this mini-wagon.  To my surprise they even attempted to put the kid-size rocking chair in the back for the "journey."  Hopefully it didn't get too worn during the move.

The kids were getting ready for a family picture in front of the Christus.  One of the Sisters caught this precious moment.

 Benji put up with "my people in every picture" quirk.  "It's hot out here, Mom, take it quick!" This will be the new Kansas City, Missouri  Temple.

The kids weren't so sure about the army of bugs that greeted us at Adam-ondi-Ahman.  The noise from them "hurt our ears."  The view was amazing!  (Someday I'll have a camera that will capture it. Hint, hint honey.)  We ended up spending the night in a motel, since sleeping in the heat and humidity wasn't very inticing after experiencing it in Kansas.