Roadtrip

It wasn’t your average roadtrip – you know the kind where there is much anticipated excitement and sightseeing along the way. This was just a short 5 hour road trip to Osceola and back home with at stop at one of our favorite restaurants Red Robin. The 3 youngest kids and I packed some snacks and set out for Osceola where we would be picking Emily up from her dad. We pulled away with Emily in car for the return trip home about 3:15 pm. We pulled out of the driveway and Emily announced that she wasn’t feeling well – maybe car sick. We were only a half block down the road when she got sick in the front seat. It was then that I decided I should ask her what she had for lunch…..crab and corn from Joe’s Crab Shack. This should be fun to clean-up:) After we cleaned up and got back on the road – next stop Red Robin; Emily said she was feeling much better. About an hour later we arrived at Red Robin and placed our orders. Yum – I can’t wait to have one of their famous burgers. Emily decided that spaghetti would be a good choice. By 6 p.m. we were back on the road filled and ready to roll. We were oh so close to making it home when once again the words “I don’t feel so good” came tumbling out. This just happened to be about 1/2 mile from our exit. My quick response was put your head out the window (I’m going 70 mph what was I supposed to do?). While Emily has her head hanging out the window I can hear the boys in the back seat “Gross, there are spaghetti noodles on my window”. At this point all I could do was laugh. Once again, I pull over and get Emily cleaned up. We’re on our way again – literally less than a mile from home. I have one quick stop at the store for a gallon of milk. It turns out to be not so quick when the truck doesn’t start after getting the milk. Here I am stuck in the parking lot of a grocery store at 8:30 p.m. with 4 kids and vehicle covered in vomit. Ugh! A quick call to a good friend and 5 minutes later, the kids were on their way home and I was on my way to the carwash. Will this day ever end? It finally did after a couple of more times of vomiting, a load of laundry and a glass of wine. I’m so glad it’s a new week.

It looks like I’m back

I knew that it was time for a post when I received a text message from Ally (away at UNI) that read “you need to post something on your blog – I neeed something to read while I’m at college”.  So, here we are – this is for you Ally!  Last week was a whirlwind with a move to college, 1st day of school for the younger kids and Paul left for Maryland.  This week doesn’t seem to be much different. 

I had read that the local apple orchard (Wilson’s) would be getting some peaches from Michigan so I thought this would be a great opportunity to pick some up and make a batch of peach jelly.  Apparently I misread the sign for half bushel which I thought said 20-25 peaches; it was actualy 20-25 pounds of peaches.  I asked for 2 half bushels and left the orchard that day with about 50 lbs.  So, my work has been cut out for me – with 42 jars of jelly made and about another 2 to go.  I also canned 12 pints of peaches, made peach crisp and will try my hand at peach salsa.  I’m not sure I’ll want anything to do with peaches for quite some time.  I am really excited about the peach salsa though – I think it will be great on grilled chicken or pork.  Unfortunately, I don’t think the kids will enjoy and since Paul’s gone it might not be worth doing.  Looks like hot dogs, pizza, mac-n-cheese and burgers for the next couple of weeks….