Smith Family Weblog

17 Oct

One last ride

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Family, Olivia, Outdoor life. 3 Comments

We took one last boat ride before leaving the cabin last weekend. Ava was all smiles at the start.

Grampa’s pretty trusting these days–he didn’t even remind us not to “bend it” as we left!

Of course, he probably didn’t realize we’d let Ava drive.

We’ve been debating the merits of a boat purchase for a good three months now. Ava, in an effort to destroy any illusion that it might indeed be a good idea, starting to grouse about going home approximately 90 seconds after leaving the dock.

I still think it would be a good investment. We pulled Liv on board when we got back for a quick family photo. Look how happy we are!

Well, some of us, anyway.

I’m still optimistic. A love for the water is in my blood; it has to be in theirs, too, right?

17 Oct

High life

Posted by Rebecca in Family. 3 Comments

I think Bryan secretly loves helping out with home improvement projects at other people’s houses. I can’t blame him–there’s nothing better than cooking in someone else’s kitchen (everything’s so organized!).

He’ll mow at his parent’s house, he’s poured concrete with Dave and, while we were in Minnesota, he had the opportunity to help Grampa install a new stove pipe on the front cabin.

I think he’s quietly building a home handyman resume. Another box checked!

16 Oct

Mushroom mystery

Posted by Rebecca in Outdoor life. 5 Comments

These mushrooms were growing on a tree near the cabin. I have no idea what they are. If only I knew a mycologist…

15 Oct

More fun at the cabin

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, Family, Olivia. 4 Comments

14 Oct

Bornemeier Baby

Posted by Rebecca in Family, Olivia. 1 Comment

13 Oct

Another first

Posted by Rebecca in Family, Olivia. 2 Comments

One of the highlights of our trip to the cabin was Olivia’s first boat ride. We entrusted the girls to Gramma and Grampa for the rainy occasion.

Gramma said that if they’d stayed out a bit longer, Olivia would have fallen asleep.

12 Oct

A preview

Posted by Rebecca in Family, Outdoor life. 3 Comments

We took a quick trip to the cabin in Minnesota this weekend and caught fall colors at their very peak! More photos soon.

7 Oct

Blog break

Posted by Rebecca in Blog business. 3 Comments

I’m taking a short blog break. Check back Monday for more posts!

7 Oct

More apple recipes

Posted by Rebecca in Ava, In the kitchen. 2 Comments

Our neighbor George brought us another bushel of apples–Granny Smiths, appropriately. Ava and I tried several new recipes last week.

First up, apple cinnamon rolls, which went over very well at work. The filling for these rolls was incredible.

The same night, we made a spiced raisin apple crisp to share with Dawn and Brandon:

On Sunday, we made a tarte tatin with yogurt cream sauce to take to George. (I hope it tasted better than it looked!)

My favorite apple recipe so far is the spice cake with cider sauce, which I took to work on Monday. I didn’t have the correct pan, so I used a Bundt pan. We “painted” it with baker’s grease, a concoction of oil, Crisco and flour, and the cake slid out so easily I nearly dropped it on the floor. Quite a change from last time!