Mini-Vacation: Brown County Indiana

Our family decided to take a mini-vacation this summer at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park.  We spent the week enjoying the beautiful park, hanging out in the lodge, playing in the water park and just relaxing! We enjoyed the fireworks at Brown County High School football field~members of the Southern Indiana Pipes and Drums played, the kids marched around the track with the Lions Club Lion (ok, broke into a run, but started out marching...), then the fireworks! The fireworks reminded me so much of the fireworks in Bloomington when I was a kid~loved going to the old stadium to watch~it was a fun time with our little family. :)
~Tracy

Additional note:
We enjoyed breakfast at the lodge restaurant (or brunch as it often was for us!) & also ventured into Nashville. For pizza, we visited Harvest Moon ordering different  toppings than "normal" and our youngest found out she really likes pineapple after all :)  We also love Casa Del Sol, which has now moved into town. (Web info isn't updated ...you can now find them in Coachlight Square~worth the trip!)

Pickles! 1st attempt

We have been blessed with so many cucumbers in this season's CSA basket.  I felt this was the year to try making pickles (we have so many, why not?).  

This decision came just before reading our CSA letter that comes with each basket~that week's letter had a recipe for icebox pickles~Yay! I wouldn't need to search online for a recipe ;)

The kids were able to help and the pickles are yummy.

Here's the recipe from our CSA: 
(my changes/preferences in italics)
1 cup vinegar (rice wine/cider vinegar mix) mostly apple cider vinegar
2 T soy sauce  used reduced sodium soy sauce
2 T sugar
2 T toasted sesame oil
pinch of red pepper flakes
several cucumbers sliced
sliced onion  used several green onions
maybe sliced beets  omitted

In a medium non reactive bowl, whisk together seasonings, oil & vinegar.  Add cucumbers and onions.  Toss to combine.  Keeps well in fridge for up to 1 week.

Enjoy!
~Tracy

Washington, D. C. 2013

This spring, I was determined to see the cherry blossoms bloom, see more of Washington, D.C. and visit friends again.  The blossoms were just on the edge of full bloom. We spotted just a few trees that were in full bloom and gathered along with all the other tourists to snap a few photos of their beauty.

The girls were able to leave a drawing on the friendship mural, which will head to Japan for children's day.  They enjoyed the beautiful weather (if not the long walk from the tidal basin, back up to the Smithsonian Museum!)  It was too cold for the paddle boats, maybe next trip ;)  D.C. is a very likable destination.  This trip was a reminder to slow down and cut back on the plans.  Both girls were traveling with ear infections, so we simply did less...

We spent one day at the National Zoo.  Parking was an adventure, but we were still able to enjoy our visit. The biggest thrill was getting to see a young panda up close. If you see a crowd gathering near the panda exhibit, chances are it is feeding time and you will catch quite a cute show (and photo opportunity!) We were really hoping to also catch the orangutans swinging over us as we walked along, but they were having a low-key kind of day. Another favorite were the octopi~truly spectacular!

Magnolias, pretty as well.

                                                                                                    

Nice View!

Nice to see the White House a little closer than last trip.  Not so crowded this time, so we could linger a little longer.   

A treat after all that walking!

 

To find the cupcakes pictured, CRUMBS is the place to go~Yummy!

Shuttle Discovery

 


We finished our sight-seeing with dear friends at the Air and Space Museum in Dulles.  Sunday was spent at the playground, running to the ice cream truck and enjoying dinner before saying good-bye.

It was a more relaxed visit than our previous trip.  I think D.C. may be best enjoyed in small portions for our family. 
Until next time, enjoy the photos!
~Tracy

***We did find yummy sandwiches at PotBelly and phenomenal Chinese at Sichuan Pavillion We enjoyed Lamb Sichuan Style (spicy) along with Sweet and Sour Chicken. Meals are served family-style, so this was more than enough for our family of 4. This is on our "must do" list for next trip.  Now that I have been reminded of how great Chinese can be, I cannot wait for the next trip!

Thankful Thanksgiving

It was a wonderful time with family.  I think one of my favorite new things this year was a walk alone with my husband.  It just seems like forever since we have walked together in the middle of the day.

As the day ended, there were many reminders of the family no longer with us now.  I am so very thankful for the time we had with my aunt and grandparents. My girls were luck enough to see my grandparents each week and have memories of them when they were more active.  What an amazing gift!

The tears still come, but a little more often a smile or laugh comes too.

~Tracy