Picked a Peck of Pickled...Cucumbers!

Our second annual Christmas in July celebration was last weekend and it was just the weekend I needed! (This is what the family reunion is nicknamed. See post on 7/20)

Last year it was blazingly hot, so if we weren't inside, we were at the pool. We were only able to handle the pool for about an hour. We spent a lot of time inside!

This year we had a beautiful weekend, with with the weather and with the company of the families gathered there. The family gathered there.

Our particular travel began on Friday with a delayed flight out of Baltimore that caused a very shortened layover in Minneapolis. I always plan for about a two hour layover for a reason! (Though my apologies go out to Jon who requested a gift from the airport. The shops close early there!) We managed to stop for a glass of wine and had enough time to read a few pages before hopping on the small plane to take us to Des Moines. We landed on time, and walked into the open arms of the In-Laws! With the hour time-change, we got to sleep as soon as we got back to the house we were staying in.

I struggle to describe the familys land in Iowa. What do you think of when you think of Iowa? CORN! Trust me, there is corn everywhere. Somehow, the Miller part of the family managed to grab 40 acres of wooded land in the midst of several of those fields. It's a beautiful place to be, no matter the time of year. There are two, custom-built houses on the property. One is nine years old, the other is much newer, only a couple of years old. They are huge and pretty, both inside and out.

Saturday came early for Anny and I. I don't know why, but I am an early riser, even if I get to bed very late. After breakfast, we kind of just hung out in the yard playing with the kids. There are three 2 1/2 year olds (!!) a 4 year old and a 7 year old. Two of the young ones are twins. The thee young ones are amazing together. I think that they have only seen each other three or four times in their lives, but they are best of friends around each other. (Ellie left while the twins were napping on Sunday. When Maddie woke up, she immediately looked for "the girl" to play!!)

Naps for the kids, and their parents, after lunch! Anny and I and a few others went over to the two acre garden that the Millers are experimenting with. They are growing many vegetables to feed the many children and adults out there! (Just for food, not money) I think that things have gotten a bit larger than they anticipated! They are growing squash, pumpkins, beets, potatoes, cucumbers (for pickling mostly), green beans, watermelons and peppers. Apparently it's time for pickling cucumbers and green beans to be ready, so we helped to pick some of those. Before we arrived on Friday we were told that they had already sealed 95 quarts of beans. 95!! It will last the winter, but they have assured each other, and everyone they meet, that they will grow less next year.

Saturday night we just kind of hung out some more. A large group went to the local girls softball game. The towns there are getting geared up for the state playoffs, and unfortunately, "our team" lost, which knocked them out of competition. Anny and I stayed back, mostly because all of the running around with the kids had worn me out pretty badly. After a good night of sleep, I was ready to roll again.

Sunday we went to church in a cute Quaker church. It's always nice to worship someplace new. They are in the process of starting a building campaign, which is pretty exciting. They didn't mention it at church, but Annys Aunt has done the preliminary designing and was showing me. Anyway, after church it was back to the house for lunch. Annys brother and his family left before Ellie needed her nap, hoping that she would sleep in the car. Naps were enjoyed by all on Sunday afternoon I think.

Monday morning Anny and I helped in the garden again, but it began to drizzle so we headed for the house. After a cup of water, Anny said "I am ready to relax for a few hours before we have to leave." Famous last words, right? We ended up helping to take down a tree in the yard that needed to be dropped to put in a new section of driveway. It was a BLAST! I got to use a good chainsaw for the first time in a while, and now I'm hoping to get a new one soon. We'll see.

Flights home were uneventful, which is always nice. I did enjoy sleeping in on Tuesday, though. It was VERY nice.

Overall it was a GREAT weekend and I look forward to doing it again next year. (Don't worry P&S, we didn't discuss any dates or anything after you left!) I'm actually contemplating driving it one of these days, then maybe we could try to bring back some of those nice looking green beans!! (yes there are other things that happened, but this post is too long as it is.)