drive to penn yan

It was a lovely break from Covid 19 to get in the car and drive down to Penn Yan. The purpose of the drive was to pick up 1/2 a pig that we bought. We've never done this before and I really had no idea what to expect. We ended up with a HUGE ham, hot Italian sausage, ground pork, bacon, ribs, pork roasts, 1/2 heart and tongue. No, I have no idea what to do with the heart and tongue but I felt we shouldn't waste them. 

I drove through Amish country to a house where the mom (Ruth Ann) had just finished washing her 5 kids hair in the kitchen sink. They were such adorable little kids that followed their mother around and helped carry everything to my car. This city slicker was off to the Windmill next. A series of shops in buildings including everything from clothing to fresh vegetables. I left with one thing, fresh rhubarb! And then onto the Oakmill store where I stocked up on spices. 

The most beautiful part though was just driving along the country roads watching the rolling hills and spying Keuka Lake. Gorgeous!

lilacs are out

The boys and I enjoyed a walk at Highland Park this morning before getting started on schoolwork. Going in the morning beats the crowds which is important as we are still social distancing. The lilacs were in full bloom and the consensus on our favorite was the two-toned purple lilac called 'sensation'. Turns out we have one close to home . . .in our neighbors backyard!

Lilacs make this area so beautiful. We have three lilacs in our backyard and they smell so sweet. As I was doing yard work yesterday I enjoyed their fragrance.

may crowning seton

May Crowning was a bit different this year during Covid-19. We arrived at the parking lot of Seton at 9:30am and wore our masks up to the entrance of Seton. They had moved Mary and placed her near the flag pole. Each family was called up one by one and each student placed flowers by Mary. Ms. Snyder played/sang some music. Other teachers watched as they sat by their tables with students belongings for them to pick up.

Blaise got dressed up complete with a tie (love watching him use you tube to tie his own tie). We gathered lilacs, iris and other flowers from our yard to make a beautiful purple and white arrangement complete with ribbon bow. Although not the standard Seton tradition it was lovely to have the ceremony outside.

opening

Memorial Day weekend brought the official open of our cottage. Moving boats and picnic table outside, de-spidering the cottage and cleaning. Just as we made the inside look clean again changes have come to the outside around the cottage. There is now a taller rock wall across the street from the cottage.

view from across the street from cottage 

 looking down towards 1st Street

We helped plant dune grass along the beach to help with erosion. The fences will help mark the plantings until they are fully grown.

 I saw a ladybug on the beach, hello grandma!

 I don't believe we normally catch a lot of our tree being red . . .

The boys hid a geocache in the new Macyville Woods Nature Preserve (a trail that they helped build) for their geocaching merit badge.

virtual camporee

Two weekends later they were back at it again. This time with the Three Fires Council out of Illinois did a virtual camporee. We received a 'camporee bag' which included para-cord for bracelets, glider planes and a mystery ingredient for dinner (goldfish crackers). This time due to thunderstorms the boys built a fort complete with fancy lights in the attic. Our hike this time was on the Lehigh Valley Trail where we picked up some trash and walked along the old railroad bed. We definitely had our eat on during this camporee complete with German Pancake in the cast iron skillet for breakfast, chicken chimichanga in pie irons for lunch and Frogmore Steam (including our crushed up goldfish crackers) and Skillet Apple Pie for dessert.

power tools

Picture Home (photo class) Day 9: Power Tools "Mom, why do you always put a towel underneath the cutting board", my 12 year old asked me. To stay in place. "Mom, what are you making?" "Mom, can I roll out the dough, my 14 year old asks." Sure. The tools have all come out in the kitchen and we are bonding even more while using them.

don't take time for granted

No longer taken for granted.
Slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Outside time is a precious gift.
Togetherness is special.