Kate is 21...

Kate has turned 21 years old,... how the years have flown. Since she has already lived in Europe on two occasions for several months at a time, she has been looking forward to the day when she can once again enjoy a glass of wine legally. That day having arrived, she chose to have a gourmet meal, straight out of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, with wines appropriate to each course, naturally.

We first had a quiet little gathering of the family to open presents, and then the boys where shooed away so the girlie time could begin!

Kate had been planning and preparing for this meal all week, and she began slicing and dicing, simmering and sauteing early in the afternoon.

Rachel arrived early to lend a hand, and was wearing the very same boots that Kate has! She had borrowed Kate's favorite footwear for a wedding a few months ago, and loved them so much that she ordered her own pair online! So comfy!

Aren't they cute?

The marvelously buttered chicken is roasting deliciously in the oven... oh, butter.

Rachel brought her own cookbook along as well. Every kitchen should have one of these!

Far be it for our chef to miss this feast preparation. Today Bekah assisted Kate, not the other way around. A gift, from her to her sister.

Christine arrives dressed to the nines! Isn't she beautiful?

Mmmmm....

Appetizers.

Rachel makes Hollandaise sauce. Yum.

Sweet Sarah.

Good things are happening in the kitchen!

Served in courses, the meal progresses beautifully.

The delicious and- literally- flamboyant main dish, Poulet au Porto,
(page 245 in Mastering the Art of French Cooking).

Rachel made the chocolate mousse at home... scrumptious!

Make a wish!

Kara, recently home from a visit to see her sister in Ukraine.
We're so glad she could join us tonight.

Erin has also lent a lot of support behind the scenes today.

Well done girls! Happy Birthday Dear Kate!

Valley Forge Hike

The last Saturday in June, the Scouts were going to take a hike through Valley Forge, and Jim volunteered me to go along since he couldn't. This was a real treat for me, because I haven't been along on one of their outings before, and I know that this is a terrific group of kids and adults who are a major influence in the character development of my son. Experiencing this first-hand was going to be fun.

We met up early to carpool over to Valley forge, and I ended up riding along with Butch and his two boys, while Isaac rode in Gary's vehicle with Fred and the rest of the boys. Getting there didn't take long and we began with the Welcome Center just as it opened. There was a guide they were going to follow in order to earn a medallion, and the guys would be going from one point to another, using their compasses and other skills to find each next stop, kind of like a scavenger hunt.

The day was warm, and then it was hot, as we hiked 9 miles, give or take, through the park. We saw many deer, lots of tourists, and various groups of runners and bicyclists. The historical points were fascinating, and we learned more than I did when just going with the family. When we got to Washington's headquarters, in fact, we watched some folks working an archeological dig int he yard, finding bits and pieces left behind by the Colonial Army so long ago.

We never actually got lost, but I think we all agreed that we added to our hike with a wrong turn or two. All in all, it was a great day, and we were all glad to see the cars and the road home once we were finished. I, of course, took photos, and you can follow us through the park here.

While We're in The Yard...

Here are some shots of the blooming loveliness in our yard, taken over the past couple of months. Not all of these are still blooming, in fact, while we were away for a week there were record high temperatures and no rain which scorched our yard and quickly ended the life of several of my plants. The Daylilies are simply finished with their bloom time now, and it's time for other flowers to take up the banner of beauty. Fortunately, we're having a third day of rain now, so my blooming babies are soaking up some needed moisture!

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
- Matthew 6:28-33

(Daylilies)

(Hydrangeas)

(The various Daisy type flowers in the front flower bed.)

(Geranium in a pot on the front porch which I kept over
Winter and re-planted this Spring!)

(Astilbe)

(Foxglove which volunteers in a wild area of the yard.
I hope to bring them into a tamer flower bed soon.)

Yard In The Works

Ever since we first looked at our home, the backyard has been a focal point for us. With the space and privacy, we have wanted our yard to be welcoming for guests and outdoor fun. Last year we took care of a large marshy area in the flat space out back, which is now perfect for a volleyball net. This year we turned our attention to the hills which were covered with difficult-to-care-for landscaping and had grown into a jungle.

Before: (look for this tree in the first "after" shot!)

So Jim rented a big machine and went to work ripping the hillsides apart. With help from the kids and some strong young men from church, over the course of a few weeks we got the nasty jungle torn out and the hillsides de-rooted, de-rocked, raked smooth, seeded and blanketed with straw. We now have grass growing in the space that had forbidden entry, and it is now open and welcoming. Room for the hammock under the previously inaccessible tree is a blessing, as well as having a lot more flat space up top to eventually add a picnic table and maybe a raised bed or two for veggies.

Continued progress

After!

Sooo glad to have this phase finished. Now, what's next?!