Camping, part 1

Our little trip to the mountains last weekend was lovely. Just what we needed, though I'm still dealing with all the loads of laundry it produced! :)
Many many pictures to share, so I decided to break them down by days. Hope you don't mind.

We arrived Saturday afternoon with sunny skies, warm weather,
lovely foliage, and a very full campground.

The girls immediately found the 2 biggest rocks in our site
and spent quite a bit of time jumping off of them.
It was great entertainment.

This was our view our the tent door that day.
Lovely and full of neighbors.

Sadie-Rose had so much fun helping Mike pound in tent stakes.
It's written all over her face.

One the neighboring trees.

Leaves, and rocks and nuts and baby pine cones were found in abundance.

After a quick dinner, we decided to take a walk. We were close to a stream
(but not so close that the girls could wander down to it unnoticed!)

Flowers and roots at the creek.

Everyone had to sit on the rock.
They thought it was cool. :)

These two are such a pair!
That smirk says, "who?? me??" and I get it from both of them often!
I love how Rose is always holding on to his ear
and she'll pinch it if she doesn't appreciate his shenanigans.

Rock throwing was a favorite pass time that night
(or any time if your name happens to be "Sadie-Rose")

I just sat and watched and made sure no one got clunked in the head
or fell in water.

Olivia spent quite a bit of time climbing mountain laurel bushes.

Rosie finally noticed and decided to try it for herself.
She did pretty good.

As it started to get dark, we walked back to our campsite and started a fire.
We all sat snuggled around it and Olivia had Mike and I tell her
"growing up" stories. She always gets so tickled with our adventures.

Mike and I enjoyed watching the sweet old couple that was camped next to us.
Well into their 70's, these amazing people were so sweet together, helping each other,
holding hands, and sleeping on an air mattress in a tent in 30F degree weather.
He had to come over and talk with Mike and share some firewood as they were leaving in the morning to drive to Mississippi and didn't need any more.
Very inspiring and endearing.
I pray Mike and I are the same in 40+ years.

a camping we will go

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We are headed out this weekend for some family time, de-stress time, re-evaluate time, soak-in-autumn-splendor time, camping time.

Every one's pretty excited and very much looking forward to getting away for a couple of days and spending some time at our favorite campground in our favorite national park. I can't wait to see the gorgeous autumn foliage and take lots of pictures.

And I can't wait to share it with you when we get back. Have a great fall weekend!

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Bloom

I'm totally in-love with this song at the moment, but I can't find it on Project Playlist to add to my music player. So sad. But, it's here in all of it's youtube glory for you (and me) to enjoy multiple times. :)

Sept/Oct. Crafts 'n Things

The October "Fall Fabulous" issue of Crafts 'n things magazine is now on newsstands! Super happy to be a part of this months issue!
Our great editor, Abby Foster, had this to say about October's issue:

Glorious autumn hues touch everything from cards to gifts to home décor and more in the October issue of Crafts 'n things. You're sure to fall in love with the more than 200 creative do-it-yourself looks and techniques packed into this harvest-season spectacular! Cast your own unique spell over Halloween festivities with charming owls, pumpkins, witches and ghosts. No tricks here, just lots of crafty treats! Speaking of treats, treat a teacher to a handmade card or quick gift, like the Teacher's School Survival Tin. It's sure to bring smiles! Upcycle household odds-and-ends into artsy, affordable wearables and accessories. Learn how to get your favorite designer jewelry looks – for less! Explore the best vintage-inspired paper crafting products with contributing writer Roberta Wax. You can even get a jump-start on your Christmas crafting with more than a dozen fun gifts and decorating ideas! And don't miss "Crafting for a Cause," a new annual feature where Crafts 'n things contributors share inspiring projects and ideas that can help each of us make a difference using our creativity.

As I haven't gotten my own copy yet (opps!) I don't know what page I'm on, but my child's Cupcake Appliqued apron is in there in the "Kitchen Comforts" section! Let me know if you see it!

Broccoli, rice, and cheddar soup

The other day I got a craving for broccoli cheese soup like you wouldn't believe. It must have been the baby talking, but I just had to have some! Couple that with the fact that I had forgotten to take any meat out to thaw that afternoon and that broccoli was one of the only vegetables I had in my fridge and you had the perfect what-in-the-world-shall-we-eat-for-dinner storm.

I did a quick google search (love google!) for broccoli cheese soup, quickly weeded through the ones that called for a "processed cheese food" (yuck!) and found a yummy sounding one. Of course I couldn't quite leave it alone, so here is my version of broccoli cheese soup.

Broccoli, rice, and cheddar soup

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 of a lg. sweet onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 3 tablespoons flour( I used w.w. since that was all I had)
  
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 package fresh broccoli, (4 whole heads or "stalks") chopped into individual florets
  
• 1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
• 1 1/4 cups shredded medium Cheddar
• 1 recipe of cooked white rice (recipe follows)
  

Directions

In a medium pot, melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 20 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring until the mixture is well blended and smells fragrant, 2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring, until tender, for 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and with a large spoon scoop 1/2 of cooked broccoli florets into a blender and process lightly, then return to the pot.

Add the cream and bring to bare simmer to heat through. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Add the 2 huge spoon-fulls of rice, stirring to blend (until you have the desired amount.)

Remove from the heat and ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle more shredded cheese over the top of the soup and serve immediately.

Rice:
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup regular white rice
1 teaspoon salt

Put all three ingredients in 3 qt. saucepan and heat to a boil over medium heat. Once rice begins to boil, stir once, cover and lower heat as low as possible. Cook for 15 minutes and do not remove lid during cooking time. After 15 minutes, remove from heat, fluff with fork and set aside without lid for 5 minutes. Add to soup when directed.


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All of my family loved how this turned out (a difficulty these days) and Mike didn't stop talking about it the entire time he was enjoying his 2 bowlfuls. :) It will definitely become one of my go-to recipes. It's very quick, easy, and meatless which is so nice sometimes.
It quite perfect for a cool fall evening meal.
Enjoy!