Prepare Yourself

For picture overload. We had a rather spur of the moment trip to Pittsburgh that was very packed but very fun. Whenever we go up there for a trip we are always super busy and this trip just flew by. We did not get to see everyone as much as we wanted to see especially one of Zion's favorite friends Lauren who we only got to see for a few minutes. The first Saturday we were there we got together with the group of friends that we spent time with when we met...high school for me...(later for Trav) Zion had fun with Mason and she really loves to say his name.
She is looking and acting so much older these days.
Playing with her new friend Josiah who is super cute and is the son of our friends Mark and Liesel. This was the first time that we got to meet him and we are so glad we did!
All the kids seemed to love Matt and his wife Erin, Mason was especially drawn to Matt as you can see.
I am just reflecting on the food we had. It was really good.

Zion was oh so thrilled to see her pal Landon. They seemed to remember each other. Landon just turned 2 but he is so much taller than Z he looks much older....I thought she was tall.
We were spoiled by really good produce from the farmers market and Aunt Abbey's garden. Tomatoes, plums, peaches and the corn were amazing.
Zion became a bride. My grandparents have been storing my wedding dress but they gave it back to us since they are going to be moving so Zion tried it on for size. Anyone want to buy it I think I am going to try to sell it on ebay.

We got to share some ice cream (otherwise known as "I Cream")with Landon on his actual birthday which was really fun. There was kind of any ice cream theme to the week. Grandpa took Zion out for ice cream more than one, one time at 9:30 p.m. They were ice cream buddies and she kept talking to him about ice cream the whole week.

Forts and Fay

Zion loves to be busy and constantly entertained these days. The weather is nasty as we are getting some of the effects of the approaching tropical storm possibly future hurricane Fay. Zion was bored since we could not go outside so we made a fort and read books. There is something so fun about forts.

If you would like to know what we have been doing this past week Zion gives it away by her randon chants of "Go Phelps!!!" We have been officially addicted to the olympics. We are enjoying a rainy day and having indoor fun. We don't get many un sunny days around here so I always enjoy a cozy rainy day when it comes along.

Pickles

I love fresh pickles or cucumber salad but I don't make them much cause Travis does not like cucs. But he says that he even liked these. They only take a few minutes to make, and they last a long time in the fridge. Tonight I ate them alone and on my Boca burger. Zion even ate them and asked for more and she does not like cucumbers either.

Refrigerator Pickles

2 pounds cucs sliced on the diagonal about 1/2 inch thick, approx 8 cups

1 medium vidalia or other sweet onion sliced

Coarse Salt (I used sea salt)

2 cups Sugar

1 cup cider vinegar

1 t celery seed

1 t mustard seed

Directions:

In a colander set over a medium bowl, toss cucumbers, onion and salt. Mix with hands and set aside to drain. (I was wondering what was going to drain personally but low and behold something did, I guess it was the water from the cucumber.) Let it sit 30 minutes. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients and stir to dissolve sugar.

After the 30 minutes divide the cucumber mixture among clean jars or air tight containers and pour vinegar mixture over. Let them refrigerate for 8 hours. Store up to two weeks.

*This recipe is from http://www.marthastewart.com/ the Everyday Food magazine although I cannot find it there now. Below is a link for dill pickles that I want to try.

There are also a lot of great recipes and craft ideas on her page.

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=6e9fd0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=header_1&autonomy_kw=pickles

Toddler Activities: Funnel Fun

Beach

We had not been to the beach in ages. Travis took us to a new beach he knew of that was really qick to get too. And Zion really enjoyed playing in the sand for the first time. She made a big turtle out of sand with her dad.