Papa's Day!

Father's Day!

We were going to go to a Whitecap's game in the afternoon, but decided to hit the beach instead. Clint hadn't been out to Lake Michigan yet, it was hot and sounded like a nice place to be.

We spent a few hours at the beach. Digging holes, chasing away black flies, going for a long walk and drawing in the sand with sticks.


The water was a little cooler then it had been when we were here last, but it was still nice and refreshing. As we were walking back from our trip down the shore, a couple with their adult daughter was walking toward us. They also happened to be sitting near our beach tent where we were camped out for the day. The woman looked at us and said to Clint, "You have a very lovely family, just beautiful. It looks like you're having a great Father's Day." It was very sweet. And, I think it is very true too. We love each other so much- as husband and wife, but also our two boys of course. I'm not sure how people couldn't see or feel our love- it is sort of exploding.

After our time on the shore, we headed back home for grilled burgers and pasta salad. Porter helped me make fresh whipped cream from our raw milk- sweetened a little with maple syrup. Oh- SO good! We topped off our Summer Strawberry Cake with the cream. Perfect.

Porter kept wishing Clint a "Happy Birthday" because it was his day and there was cake involved. It was pretty funny- he'd sing Happy Birthday to him and ask if he was a year older.

We Made the Jam

I made one batch last night and another today. I actually made two different kinds, one with refined white sugar and one with honey and grape juice. I didn't have grape juice in the house and was eager to make a batch, and didn't feel like running to the store. I had everything else on hand, so I went for it. Really easy, really quick to make. The sugar jam recipe I used called for 4 cups of berries and 3 cups of sugar- at least it was better than the 2:4 ratio.

These pictures make jam making with the boys slightly easier then it really was. The pectin and juice was boiling, I was stirring, Rowan started whining and the doorbell was ringing. The only time the doorbell rings is during kitchen activities or when the boys are sleeping.

This is this afternoon's batch, the recipe that called for honey instead of white sugar. Seriously, this one tastes better! It is delicious!

We had the other jam on our toast this morning. It was good. But I'll make this freezer jam from now on. The one with honey. I'll feel better about it when the boys are eating it too.

Strawberry Picking

We picked strawberries at Krupp's Farm this morning! 17 pounds. The weather was perfect, mild 67 degrees and sunny!


This was "opening day" and there were many families there gathering strawberries. Porter helped find the reddest berries and was great at sampling them.

He learned how a strawberry grows. He spotted the pretty white flowers, the small green berries, pink and red berries too. Then he talked all about how a strawberry becomes a strawberry.

Rowan enjoyed watching from on my back, then decided he'd like to sample too. This baby loves strawberries! He was crawling after our trays, reaching in and smashing.

Sometimes he wanted back on. Then he'd want back down. Surprisingly, two young boys and lots of berries wasn't hard. It was a lot of fun! I love picking berries, and picking berries with the sweetest little boys is heaven.

After Porter helped fill one tray full, we decided we'd go all out and fill another tray. I think I was pulling berries off in record time! Porter helped weigh the trays and pay the super nice girl at the counter. She helped load our trays into our jeep for us too.

Porter is very excited to make strawberry freezer jam this week, I am too! Recipe here.

Freezer jam is typically 2 cups berries & 4 cups sugar. Yikes! We're trying this version made with honey. Yay baby! Seriously, berries and honey?! How can it not be good?!

Rowan was a strawberry mess! He had a blast searching in the bushes, pulling off berries and smashing them with his fingers. There was a smooshed strawberry trail down the path where he had been. And, I think he created a permanent strawberry picking outfit.

Krupp's Farm has ice cream at the Milk House. Such a nice treat after all the hard work.

Our friend Ginger, who is expecting a little one next month, came with us. I think she was also in heaven watching these sweet strawberrylicious boys and dreaming about her little one's arrival soon.