Ted is cutting the peppers and garlic, while the rest of us add the horseradish, dill, bay leaves, and whole peppercorns.
Paul is checking the jars to make sure none of the ingredients were left out.
Now it's time to scoop a big bowl of cukes from the bathtub where we had them soaking in ice water.
Pat adds the hot brine and seals them.
Chuck is writing the date on the top. We can quit hoarding the 2007 jars (I have 3 left) because now we all have 20 jars that will be ready to eat by Thanksgiving! Last time Jenna and Teddy helped, too, but it's hard to find a date where 5 different families can all come. We'll just have to share.
We spent three days up north at our friends Joan and Tim's cabin just before the pickle making event. We had a real "loony" time - watching a mama feeding her baby and then watching an adult swallow a really big fish whole! It was amazing!
Paul got to cruise the lake on the jet ski. I passed - I hate going fast, and it you go slow it is really wobbly. Just my luck, I'd flip the thing out in the middle of the lake and it would sink.
Now this is more my speed!
We went out before breakfast on Saturday for a pontoon ride, and saw the strangest thing over by the eagle's nest. Two sea gulls were dive bombing the eagles! We think the gulls had a nest nearby, and didn't want the adult and baby eagle (they are both in the tree - the adult is on the upper branch to the left) to eat them.
Tim has a mega zoom thingie on his camera and can get great pictures of the eagles and loons. This is the best I can do with my little Kodak.
On the was out from the cabin, we went right by this heron standing by the road. We backed up and I took it out of the window. He wasn't a bit scared. In fact, he turned to the other side so I could get his profile!
Of course, we had to fit in a game of golf while we were up north. Joan kindly drove the cart - a first for her. I think she is now addicted, because she told Tim to bring his clubs up with him (he had to come up later on Friday, and we went up on Thursday). This course is called Black Bear, but we didn't see any - thank goodness!
We picked up some tickets for the PGA at Hezeltine on Craig's list for the practice round on Wednesday of the tournament. I'm hunting for some pants like John Daly's for Paul - what do you think?
We spent about six hours walking the course and following some of the big names. No Tiger, though. He did his practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday.
We got some cheap seats at the Twins game from Applebees and enjoyed watching them lose. Bummer.
Every summer, Jane, Pat, my cousin Sandy, and I get together for lunch. This year we decided to go to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Pat has Matthew on Mondays, and Jenna was off, too, so our group is growing. Heidi and Maddox were going to come, but Maddox had a 101 degree temp, so they missed out on a treat. Maybe next year.
Matthew loved all the water - this fountain has lots of big goldfish that came swimming right over so close you could touch them if you wanted.
No fishies here.
Hey - who are you splashing?
Talking to the ducks.The week before the Arboretum outing, I directed Vacation Bible School at Waterbrooke. We used a program called SonRock Kids Camp, and we had a blast! It was a simulation of going to camp, so we set up tents outside, put the canoe and a pup tent in the front of the church inside with lots of other camping gear, made a fake fire ring right up front, and we were ready to go!
One of the snacks was s'mores, of course. The 4 and 5 year olds from Critter Corner couldn't resist smearing them all over their faces.
Crafts were out back in view of the lake.
This was the nature class site - plus we had an over night on the last night of VBS, and Paul and I slept in this tent. About 17 of us stayed that night and the weather was perfect! It was a great week, and everyone who participated - kids and adults - learned about building your life on the Rock - Jesus.
Way back at the beginning of August, Paul's brother Bob had a big birthday - number 60. Annie and Ryan hosted a party for him, with brother Tyler's help. Here's Bob and the youngest Casey brother, Phil, ready for some really yummy cake.
Jane also reached the same milestone back on July 28. We had a great meal at Buca's, but I left my camera in the car about three blocks away. I managed to get this one out in the parking lot! If you want to see more pictures from her big day, check out the link I have to blog (The Bracken's Bunch). Beware - you'll have to wade through some awesome pictures from their trip to Italy - Jane's surprise birthday present from Chuck!!!!Well, since school is starting next week, blogging will go to the bottom of my list of things to do. It was perfect summer - cool, and very few mosquitos! The poison ivy I got out in Vermont was the only fly in the ointment, and even that wasn't so bad. Back to work on Monday ....
