21 Jul
We invited friends over for dinner on Sunday night, and I dusted off the set of American Idyll recipes from last summer. The last time I made this menu, I decided on the Honey Caramel Peach Pie for dessert, but this year, I went the Plum-Blackberry Streusel route. I was not disappointed…
19 Jul
For the 33rd summer in a row, I had the luxury of vacationing on a lake in Minnesota with my grandparents, in a cabin that feels like home.
You can have your cruises and mountain hikes, your long flights and big cities. Give me a cabin on a lake, a floating raft and a few mosquito bites. Throw in some tan lines and a camp fire complete with S’mores, and that’s all I need.
I want to lay in the back cabin—windows wide open and curtains blowing in the night breeze. I want to hear the loons from across the lake. I want seaweed curling around my toes and a hammock with a perfect view. I want to hear the sound my feet make on the dock, and see the wet footprints it holds as my swimsuit-clad girls scamper back to the cabin.
I want chicken cross-fired on the grill and red wine on the deck. I want to hear hours of stories of my grandparents’ past.
I want just one more week.
I hope Ava and Olivia will grow to appreciate this amazing place as much as I do. I know they already adore the grandparents that make it all possible, and for now, that’s enough.
19 Jul
Gramma spoiled us with fabulous food the entire time we were at the cabin. Here’s Ava helping her make eggs in a basket–ramekins with bread “baskets” filled with eggs, ham and cheese.
16 Jul
Ava:Â Mom, why do you call Dad “Daddy?” You should really call him “Bryan.”
Bec:Â I suppose that’s true–I’ve never really thought about it. What do you prefer I call you, Bry–Bryan or Daddy?
Bry:Â Stud muffin.
Bec:Â Okay then.
16 Jul
Bryan spent a bulk of his vacation fishing, which I think is a sign that I’m just that much closer to convincing him that we do indeed need a boat. In the meantime, though, he had a blast catching sunfish and bluegill off the dock with the girls. I’m not sure who decided that every fish needs a kiss before it goes back into the water, but all involved oblige.
15 Jul
This picture was taken immediately after I had one of those, “Wow, it’s way too quiet around here” moments. I found Olivia in the bedroom of the back cabin, fixing up Bitty Baby with every single Hello Kitty Band-Aid in the box. As Olivia noted, “All better!”
13 Jul
We drove halfway to the cabin the night of July 3rd, just after a fabulous 30th birthday party for my wonderful sister-in-law, Laura. We finished the trip the morning of the 4th, arriving at the cabin just in time for the annual Fourth of July parade.
The parade was a bit smaller than usual, but there was still free beer. The girls were far more excited about the candy and water balloons.
After the parade, we went back to the cabin. Parties sprung up around the lake, and the neighbors invited the girls over for face painting.
After a bit of swimming, Grandpa and Gramma treated us to a cookout by the fire.
And, of course, there were a few fireworks…
Happy Fourth of July!
Smith Family Weblog 