15 Jul
RV adventures
Earlier this summer, we made plans to join Gramma, Grampa, Mom, Dave, Katie and Tom at the Minnesota cabin for the Fourth of July. After a bit of work, I was able to convince the Kansas contingent to travel by RV. (Typical response from Katie following an update on the rental plans: “Are we really doing this? I guess this is really happening.”) IT DID, and it was AWESOME.
Katie and Tom came around quite nicely, I think.
We spent the first night of vacation at Smiths, then picked up our RV in Omaha on Saturday morning. It was nice and new and clean, if not a bit cumbersome.
Once we loaded luggage for what seemed to be 17 people, we hopped in, and Doug took a few photos for us. (You can see Doug’s entire set here.)
It only took us seven hours to travel up north—we passed the time by playing games, asking Bryan to share the wheel (no), and trying to get Owen to nap (also no). A few choice overheards, from an intended series I neglected to fully capture, probably provide the best insights:
Rebecca, regarding potential carsickness: “I’m making seating decisions based on who is likely to be the pukiest.”
Bryan: “Buckle up. I want to try something here.”
Rebecca: “Please don’t tell your brother to shut his face.”
Owen: “Mosquito!”
Rebecca: “Olivia, do not stand on your sister’s head.”
Once we arrived, we parked by the cabins and used the RV as our own quarters for the week. It worked out really well. For the most part it was very cool, and we slept well (especially after Grampa helped us level it).
The ride home was a bit dicier, as is often the case. The table leg snapped, leaving us without an easy spot for snacks or games, so the kids had to find other ways to pass the time.
MOST of the kids, anyway.
I loved traveling in an RV, and while Gramma was quick to remind me of the two happiest days (the day you buy a camper, and the day you sell it), I also loved my mom’s remark: “RV having fun yet?” — a perfect nod to a Bornemeier vacation. Thanks, family!
14 Jul
Ava takes the cake
As promised, here’s an update on Ava’s weekend project. She began on Saturday by baking the cakes—and since the recipe was for a single 9-inch layer, we just doubled it. She measured and poured and mixed—all I had to do was prep pans and set the oven.
She also made the pastry puffs on Saturday. It’s in interesting process, in which you melt butter and sugar into water, then stir in flour and eggs to form a batter.
Ava piped about 60 puffs onto parchment. They bake up hollow, and she filled them with a raspberry-flavored whipped cream and dipped them into a chocolate glaze (the same glazed used on the cake–you can see them hanging out in the background, pre-glaze).
We struggled a bit when it came to the glazing—I wanted to show Ava how to push the glaze with the offset spatula, and she had no time for my instruction. Really, though, that was the only issue along the way. (I’m trying so hard to let this independent child be independent…).
Livie offered some assistance as well.
The finished product looked pretty great, and Ava seemed very proud! Definitely worth the effort.
Our resident taste-tester—seen here with a cream puff in each cheek—agreed.
I’m looking forward to the next project!
12 Jul
Just desserts
Ava found an old issue of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food in an Ashland antique store, and she just had to have it. She paid 25 cents of her own money, and has studied most every recipe since.
She’s absolutely determined to make this cake. And, I’m all for baking, but maybe let’s start with a blueberry buckle or a pound cake. (Because, dear MARTHA, this is not EVERYDAY FOOD). Moreover, she’s making it with the cream puffs, which will of course be filled with raspberry cream. It’s the weekend, and what else is there to do, really?
I forgot to mention, she’s making two—one for brunch with Tom and Katie, and one to take to her grandparents. Two entire cakes, each with 30 cream puffs. NBD.
Send wine; stay posted. In the meantime, let’s hope she doesn’t find the 15 years of Living back issues I have stashed in the basement.
9 Jul
Owen turns two!
We celebrated Owen’s second birthday with family in both Nebraska and Minnesota. Up first, cupcakes and a cookout with the Smiths, just before we left for vacation.
On the 3rd, we were joined on the cabin deck by the Gramma and Grampa Great, my mom and Dave, Tom and Katie, and a few Minnesota neighbors.
Happy second birthday, Owen! We love you so much, little guy.
8 Jul
Eight years later…
Last night, a storm with 70 mph winds roared through town. We watched from the west-facing window in our closet upstairs, startled to see straight-line winds of this strength. We knew we we had damage (and missing patio furniture), but it wasn’t until this morning we could see the full extent.
For the most part, our damage was limited to large branches, rather than completely uprooted trees. Compared to our neighbors, I suppose, we were fortunate—no damage to the house as far as we can tell, and we located the patio furniture with no trouble.
We were very sad to see a large branch down on the tree next to our house, though, and several more in the creek.
Earlier this summer, we were remarking on just how much those trees had grown in the past few years. I came across the small black and white photo in the corner below while working on our 15th anniversary photo collage. I think I took it the day we moved into this house, just a bit more than eight years ago.
The progress is pretty remarkable.
Smith Family Weblog 