R Day 2015

Yesterday, the class of 2019 reported to the Academy.  It is so much better having a son that is a cadre! I like this side of R Day so much more - as does he.

He told me not to expect any pictures.  Imagine my surprise when I stumbled on these two.

I would love to be a fly on the wall…I think!  Most importantly, I hope he enjoys these weeks as a leader.  It will be hard work, but very rewarding. 

COS

The Big Guy was out in Colorado Springs on business.  He took a tour of the Air Force Academy.  He sent us this selfie.   Love that he visited wearing his CGA polo!

JAM

These are local blackberries grown right here in our little town.  The smallest quantity available was one gallon.  We eat lots of berries, but one gallon is quite a few.

Yesterday, I decided to try my hand at making some jam.  I thought the crockpot would be good.  The process was simple, but it took too long from a time standpoint using the crockpot.  I strained the mixture resulting in seedless blackberry jam!  I used sugar and lemon to make the jelly.  Since I took this pic, I've added labels.  One jar is in the frig waiting for the first taste test.

We went blueberry picking on my birthday.  I think we left with three gallons of blueberries.  Today, I tried my hand at blueberry jam.  This time I made it on the stove top.  I had to punt with some of the canning steps as I don't have special equipment.  I was so excited to hear the jars "pop" when they cooled.  I might be on to something.  It is too early to think about Christmas gifts?  My other idea was blackberry vodka - thinking about trying some of that.  The process doesn't seem too hard.  I just need to explore what you do with blackberry vodka once you have it.  Oh!  I need to find a good biscuit recipe to use up some of this jam!

Back in the USA

And, like that we are back from vacation!  It was a lovely time.  I can't believe it's been three weeks since we got home.  I loved looking back on the pictures.  Makes my heart smile.

It also has my brain thinking of a creative way to get up to CT to give Pumpkin a hug!

Birthday in Barbados

Peanut turned 17 while we were in Barbados!  How cool is that?  We woke him up and he opened his gifts in bed.

 Looks pretty cute sporting the bucket hat!

 He was my backseat buddy for most of the trip.  Hard to believe he is my baby!

 Had some great boogie board surfing on his birthday.

 We went to the Oistins Fish Fry for dinner.  It was crowded.  Lots of vendors selling fish dinners.

Of course, we sang Happy Birthday.  We bought the cake at the grocery store thinking it was an ice cream cake.  It turned out to be an oreo cake that was frozen.  We made the most of it!  What a great birthday.  As Pumpkin kept saying, "it beats the shower head I got for my 17th birthday!"

Mount Gay & Earthworks

So, the island is known for sugar cane and made its mark in the rum business.  We toured Mount Gay, the oldest on the island.  Of course, we ended up bringing back some silver rum and are learning how to perfect the mojito at home!

There is a pottery place, Earthworks, on the island.  You can walk through everything and see the pottery being made.  It is all hand painted.  So interesting how some craft ideas make it and people run with them.  As we walked through, I asked where the clay comes from.  Pittsburgh, PA!  We just had to laugh.  They ship the bags all the way to Barbados to make wonderful things out of it.  There are pieces of the pottery in use all over the island.

You can see the shelves of the store behind us.  Of course, I had to bring some home.  It was a challenge decide what to buy!

St. Nicholas Abbey

It is not a real Abbey, but is/was a working sugar cane plantation in what feels like the middle of nowhere Barbados.  The house was built in the 17th century, even more amazing.  We toured the house which remained in the original family until about 10 years ago.  It was built by and Englishman in their style, very different from island style.  There are three fireplaces in the house.  Not much use for a fireplace in Barbados.  There is a working sugar cane mill that we got to see in operation.

There are beautiful mahogany trees that line the entrance to the Abbey.  The boys were a bit tired of me taking pictures adding some goofiness to their steps!

Father's Day 2015

With all the fresh blueberries, we made pies.  The one on the left is for David's dad.  He used to say that blueberries tasted like dirt.  We will see what he thinks!

On this Dad's day, we got up and went for a ride with the Big Guy.  Ride start time was 5:45am!  We had to beat the heat and get a good one in before church.  Peanut is a trooper and said he was only doing it 'cause it was Dad's day.  Peanut knows how to make the Big Guy happy!

48!

Had to interrupt the Barbados posts, to share this very important picture.  This is what 48 looks like!!

My boys are troopers.  They appeased me on my birthday and we went blueberry picking in the heat.  There is something soothing about being out on a farm picking your own fruit.  Needless to say, we have lots of blueberries.  Two pies are in the oven.  One is for my birthday and one is for David's dad.  Can't wait to see how it tastes.  Gotta look up more recipes with blueberries.  Worst case.  We can freeze them.  The guys are making my dinner and then, we are going to watch a movie.  What a lovely way to celebrate.

I got my first wishes at 12:01 from Pumpkin.  I knew it was coming and still was sound asleep when he called.  Love it, though.  I will take a call from him anytime.

So far, 48 is Great!

Crane Beach

We set out for Crane Beach and were not quite sure we were going to make it.  All was good until we hit a detour due to road construction.  We went around in a few circles before figuring out the way.  Earlier we stopped at the post office to mail my mom a postcard.  We grabbed some donuts from the donut lady.  Who knew those donuts would carry us over until we stopped at Cutters.  It is a house converted to a restaurant out by Crane Beach.  They have the best rum punch!  We got to sample it.  Note to self, though, check the marmalade before spreading it on toast.  Turns out it was orange.  I am not a fan and ruined some good toast.

There is a public access to Crane Beach.  Or, you can pay at the resort to ride their elevator down.  We chose the public access which involves walking on stepping stones strategically placed on the cliff.  This beach is supposed to be one of the top in the world.  It is very nice - if it weren't for all the seaweed.  For whatever reason parts of Barbados were plagued with tons of seaweed.  On this day, it wasn't too bad.  The waves were some of the best body surfing ever!  The boys had so much fun they forgot to reapply sunscreen and felt the effects of it the next day.

My eyes are so sensitive to the glare.  I got in about waist deep but could not surf for fear of losing my sun glasses.

 What a wonderful day at the beach!

Harbor Lights

We bit the bullet and went to Harbor Lights.  It is a dinner show on the beach.  

 You sat at picnic tables in the sand.

 We took selfies around the table
 Pumpkin - -

 Peanut - -

 The Big Guy - -

 Yours truly - -

They started the night with a band and balloons.

They got us all up on the sand dance floor.  There were hidden treasures in the sand.  Look what Pumpkin found.

 I was off getting a drink when Peanut and the Big Guy got pulled to the dance floor!

 The Big Guy got tapped to do the limbo.  Wow!  The real limbo dancer was over-the-top flexible.

 Dancers performed on stilts.

 We danced and danced embarrassing the boys.

 Then, it was over.

Transportation was included in the price.  It was nice to hop in the van and get a ride back to the condo.

The follow up feedback from the boys was the evening was cheesy and touristy.  That it was, but still a great night.  The food was good.  We laughed, danced and had fun.  What more could you ask for?

George Washington

Did you know the only country George Washington traveled to outside the USA was Barbados?  We didn't until we went there.  George traveled to Barbados with his step brother who was battling tuberculosis.  One doctor claimed the air in Barbados was healing air.  Anyway, we toured the house George stayed in.  He contracted small pox while in Barbados.  They claim that gave him immunity to stay healthy during our revolutionary war.

 Back when George was there, you could see the ocean from this window.

The tour guide was just lovely.  He asked where we were from.  When we said Memphis, he quickly said, "Z Bo!"  So surprising that the first thought of Memphis was a local basketball player and not Elvis.  In Zach Randolph's defense, he does lots of good for the community.