Old Cars and Jam

The weather calling for severe thunderstorms... I love thunderstorms!!! Kansas had the best violent storms and I miss, miss, miss them. It was quite warm and muggy outside but was perfect weather for an old car show and some strawberry/raspberry and fresh veggie pickin with the kids. 

Drew really wanted to show his car this year but his water pump did not arrive in time. Can't wait for the next show and to see him sit proudly next to his '59 and chat with other old car enthusiasts....

After the show we went to Carver Farms. A wonderful family owned u-pick farm with the nicest people and wonderful fresh goodies. Today we picked, strawberries, raspberries, cucumbers (for pickles), green beans and cantaloupe.

With the help of these little ladies we made strawberry and raspberry freezer jam. It's easy, fast and very yummy.

Kombucha withdrawls

Are any of you suffering from the latest ridiculous recall of GT's Kombucha??? Well, I am. I miss it so much. I've never missed anything this much. Not even Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (my used to be most favorite candy ever) until I developed an allergy to peanuts. I made it through the lack of peanut's and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches in my diet, however.... the vinegary goodness, that burst of flavor... Trilogy, Gingerberry, Strawberry, augh! I'm having a very hard time not drinking it daily. Something huge in my day is just lost :(

So what to do??? Make my own! I know it will not compare to GT's. But, I'm hoping it will get me through the days until it returns to my favorite store and back on the shelves that I know so well. All those beautiful bottles lined up perfectly, the pretty colors and flavors.

The vision of a fridge stocked with Komucha compares to a beautifully decorated, lighted up Christmas tree to me.

Here is my scoby and sweet tea. I made it yesterday. In 9 more days it will be fermented and ready. Then I'll pour it into bottles with pressed fresh Ginger and let it sit another 5 days.... It will seem like forever, but I know will be worth the wait.

Do any of you make your own Kombucha? What flavors do you add?

Camping

We took a short break and took the kids and a couple of their friends camping last weekend. We've gone the last few years to Fernan. We have our favorite location which sits right next to the river and is surrounded by tall, beautiful trees.

This is one of my favorite views... the canopy of trees above us. I could sit back in a lounge chair all day and get lost in these trees.

My honey and I were sitting at this campfire, speechless, staring, quiet and completely immobile. I realized that I was at complete peace. A feeling I've not felt in.... almost forever. Nothing was on my mind, I had nothing (nothing!) to do, no chores, no dishes, no schooling, laundry, toys to pick up, email to check, no phone ringing off the hook... I looked at my husband and told him how strange I felt to not be doing something.  It was strange to me to feel peace, not a care in the world, not a thought in my head and it felt weird. I realized how sad it was to not have more moments like this.

We had a beautiful and peaceful weekend. Thankful to God for the beauty He created and the family and friends he's blessed my life with.

We returned home, opened the camper to find that the dog was car sick, threw up (alot) and our sewage backed up (why?) who knows! toilet overflowed everywhere.... hmmmm back home, back to reality :)

A walk through my garden

Welcome

Fairlane

Today, I'm sharing some pictures of my son's love. This is his 1959 Ford Fairlane. I've mentioned my son, Drew, who was born with a love and passion for anything from the 1950's - He's an old soul, I always say. He loves and collects anything from the 50's. We have an attic full of vintage items put away for him, for his "someday" 50's house.  He dressed and styled his hair for a few years, in the 50's style. He outgrew that and so did his hair length... but his love is still there.

A few years ago we were on our way home from Walmart. I take alot of back roads to peek at the old houses. We drove down 16th street and found parked on the side of the road with a for sale sign in the window, this beautiful 1959 Ford Fairlane.

We stopped of course, so he could see it - and he fell in love. "This is my car" he said. Every trip to town involved a drive down 16th St. just to see the car. Three years later, he bought that car - yes it was still for sale... it sat there all those years waiting just for Drew.  He is only 15 1/2 and can't drive her yet, but tends to her, cleans her, shines her and sits for countless hours behind the wheel imagining that day that he will.

She drives beautifully. Thanks to his Papa (Grandfather) who spent several days, fixing, tuning, rebuilding and teaching.