Memories Monday (by Jennifer)

Buckle your seat belts!

We're going rafting with the Muncks!

Here we are getting a wardrobe prep talk (trust me, it is difficult to put those helmets on!)

Everyone needed a little help "dressing up"

Here is the crew (left to right) Amanda Munck, Megan, Rebecca Munck, Me (Jennifer), Kerri and Dad, Oh by the way Dad came along to keep us all safe......

Ya Dad, self-control, it's picture time :)

We all loaded in the bus for a ride up the river

The girls

This is our guide, he has been riding the rapids for 9 years.

Here he is telling us what to do when... oops.... if we fell out!

Down to the river

Almost there!

Here we go! We went through one of the largest rapids right at the beginning. Way to break us in!

Whenever we got to a "dangerous" rapid the call was "GET DOWN"

Here we are trying to get back into a rapid..... paddling upstream!

Made it.....

LOTS OF FUN!!!!

Spotted the camera man!

At one point, near the end of the trip.... the guide asked us if we wanted to take the wild ride or the "safe" ride..... being the adventurous, fun loving bunch that we are......

We took the WILD RIDE!!!

IT WAS WILD!!!

Dad is convinced that I pushed him in :) Thankfully it was all caught on camera.....what do you think?

I kind of landed on top of him.... can you see his helmet and my foot?

BECKA!!! Why are you LAUGHING?????

Me, safe.... Dad, not so sure..... BECKA, STILL LAUGHING!!!

Daddy's girls all started getting worried.

Dad cool as a cucumber riding out the wave.

Finally through the rapid. It may be a matter of opinion, but I think that falling in was the most fun part of the whole ride! (yes, just to let you know..... I am adventurous, I was hoping we would fall in :)

Pulling into the harbor safe and sound (much to mom's relief:)

Thanks to the Muncks and Ocee Inn River Rafting for all the fun! Also to the Moms and Liz for taking care of all the kiddos!

Also thank you to Uncle Arthur who took these great shots.

Think Red

I know it's been awhile since we have updated the recipe blog.

But here is one that you won't want to miss. Especially if you are wondering what to do with your abundance of raspberries :)

So come on down and check it out!

AMAZING GOD

Today I am amazed.

Amazed at the majesty, awesomeness, and creativity of God.

This time of year on the farm there is too much beauty for my mind to even comprehend.

Everything is so breath taking.

I think often of how God created this beauty for our enjoyment.

He didn't have to make things so colorful, melodious and tasty, but He did.

As I was picking peas this morning I tuned in to the songs of all the birds singing praise to Him around me. God could have just made the different birds sing one tune and wear one color.

But He didn't.

He could have made all fruits and veggies one shape and one color.

But He didn't.

He could have made things taste all the same....all sweet.....or all sour....or all soft...or all firm...

But He didn't

He could have made all animals the same color, size or shape.

But He didn't.

He could have made all flowers one color, all purple, all pink, big petals, little petals.

But He didn't.

And today I thank my Father because....

He didn't.

What's Happening Around Here?

For an update on what's been happening on the farm lately check out Megan's blog.

Sierra

We've got a new horse on the block!

She is 3/4 quarter horse and 1/4 pony.

As you can see we are already having alot of fun with her!

Isn't she adorable?

Beauty

We've now got stair steps!

(Sierra in front, Princess middle and Joe at the end)

Meeting Teddy

All together

DID YOU EVER WONDER?

Why "abbreviated" is such a long word?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

Why is it called "after dark" when it is really "after light"?

Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

Why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?

Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

Why do they call them buildings? Shouldn't they be called builts?

Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds?

Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?

How much deeper would oceans be if sponges didn't live there?

What do people in China call their good plates?

How do "Keep off the grass" signs get where they are?

If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?

If a cow laughed hard, would milk come out of her nose?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

Why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?

Pass the Peas Please!

Pea picking season is here!

I have fond memories of pea season while growing up.

My mom and I used to pick peas together ever since I can remember :) We would sing often together in the garden. One of my old favorites was:

MOM: Rosalie do you love Jesus?

ME: Yes I love Jesus.

MOM: Do you really love Jesus?

ME: Yes I really love Jesus.

MOM: Tell me why you love Jesus.

ME: I'll tell you why I love Jesus.

TOGETHER: Because He first love me.

Oh how I love Jesus

Oh how I love Jesus

Oh how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me!

Another memory of pea picking is the time I would spend at my cousins' place. Because my aunt had 8 children she saw the benefit of keeping their mouths (plus mine) busy by handing out a stick of gum to everyone. That was a real treat to us and it was much less tempting to eat a few handfuls of peas resulting in her actually being able to freeze some!

And now here I am with my own children. Singing in the pea patch and figuring out ingenious ways to actually get the peas in the freezer :) When I think back of pea season I don't think of all the back breaking, hard work that was involved, rather I remember quality time spent with those I loved. And I hope our children will remember the same!

Here are some photos of our pea picking today.

Because of the cooler weather the peas are beautiful this year.

I don't know if you can tell here but they are about 3 1/2 ft. tall!

The crop is plentiful with pods and pods of peas hanging. They are weighing the plants down so much they are pullling the fence over.

Here's Jesse opening them up and ready to sample.

MMMM.....nothing quite like fresh peas straight from the pod.

Yours truly busy picking (and yes I am wearing a coat in AUGUST !?!?!)

They are starting to pile up. .

This is how it all starts. A pretty, petite little flower.

Another row in full bloom.

Time to put my feet up and shell, shell, shell....

As you can tell it is REALLY hard work!!!

Okay, maybe not that hard :)

Somebody give her some gum, quick!

And they are ready for blanching and freezing.