Blueberries for the Sauve's

I don't know if any of you remember the book "Blueberries for Sal" but it was one of my childhood favorites, and it is what I always think of when the time comes to go blueberry picking!

Two years ago God blessed us abundantly by allowing us to hear of an organically grown u-pick blueberries not to far from us.  We contacted the owners and headed out to pick.  From that first picking has grown a wonderful friendship; we are so thankful for the Polk family in our lives!

So far this year we have been picking 3 times at Polk-around-Farm, sometimes with friends and some by ourselves.  But since we eat about half of the berries we pick, we are going to have to go a few more times before we have enough for the year!  That's just fine, we LOVE picking there!

{thank you to my friend Megan for posing for this picture :) }

Even if we were not friends with the Polks, I would have to say the this blueberry farm has the best customer service ever!  Mrs. Polk always comes and checks on how you are doing, if the blueberries are sweet and plentiful enough, and whether you need to empty your buckets!  And the girls are always ready to take you and your berries back up in their "gator" to the parking lot when you are finished.

We have decided that Blueberries are on of our favorite fruits to pick.  You don't have to stand on your head to pick them (strawberries), they aren't poky (raspberries)  they don't get dirty, and you don't have to top them (strawberries) and you don't have to break your neck or climb ladders to get to them (apples) and they are FULL of healthy vitamins for you!  It's not that we don't like other fruit ('cause boy do we!  Cannot wait for apple season!) It's just that we LOVE Blueberries!

Mainly we are freezing our blueberries (the ones that aren't eaten right away fresh) to use in Kefir smoothies, but some get made into jam, some are placed in muffins, pancakes, coffee cake, or clafouti, and the super fortunate ones get turned into Blueberry Jarmalade!! (which is the most amazing fruit spread EVER!).   

So, if any of you in the area need a place to pick, we know the spot!

~Chs  

For When it is Hot....

Of course, I manage to wait to share these recipes until it is chilly and more fall-like than summer, but I am sure it will warm up again, and when it does, I hope someone can enjoy these homemade Popsicle recipes.

The other week when it was so BROILING hot, I decided to come up with some cold, refreshing snacks for the sweltering afternoons.  Here are the results.

Orange Creamsicles

 1 can of frozen Orange Juice concentrate

 2 cans (use the orange juice can to measure) of milk

 1/4-1/2  (I rarely measure, so have no clue, just to taste I guess) of cane sugar

1-2 tsp of Vanilla

Blend all the ingredients in a blender (we have a wonderful Vita mix, but any blender should work) then pour into popsicle molds.   Put them into the freezer right away, if you let them sit the milk solids will separate, leaving you with ice at the tip of your creamsicle.  Let freeze (the best way is to make these in the morning, then they will be ready right when you want them, at the hottest part of the afternoon) and ENJOY!!!

The next recipe I discovered while on a quest to create a fudgesicle.  That and the presence of some ripe avacodos in the house created these rich luscious chocolatey frozen desserts.

Peanut Butter Fudgesicles  (pictured)

 3-4 ripe avacodos

 A large scoop or 2 of Peanut Butter (approximately somewhere between 1/2-1 cup)

The same amount of Coconut oil (again approximately between 1/2-1 cup)

Sweetener of choice, honey, maple syrup (the two I used) or sugar.  (around a 1/2 cup I guess)

 1-2 tsp of Vanilla

Enough milk (cow, goat, coconut whatever you like) to make the blender go.

Warning, this makes a VERY thick pudding consistency so be careful with your blender.   Pour/scoop/splat into your popsicle containers and freeze.  Because of the thickness this does take longer to freeze, and the more coconut oil you use the harder it will be.

The last and simplest of my summer coolers was created with extra yogurt and frozen fruit.

Berry Frozen Yogurt Bars

4-6 cups of Yogurt (depending on how many popsicles you wish to make)

1-2 cups of frozen fruit (strawberry, is the one I did, blueberry or peaches would work to)

maple syrup or honey to taste

 milk, if too thick

Blend, taste, add, blend, taste, then pour into containers and freeze!

What yummy snacks do you all make when it is hot outside??  Please do share!

(My immense gratitude goes to Faith and Josiah who agreed to do a photo shoot with me as long as they got to eat their Peanut butter fudgesicles!)

~Chs

Summer Evening

The evenings are already getting shorter but we still manage to fit plenty into them... or at least we try!!

The other day we came back from helping our Aunt Myrt and Uncle Warren out in their garden, and were sent home with some zucchini.  Well, we knew what was for dinner - Summer stir-fry! 

 We absolutely love this summer garden mainstay, and it is SO flexible!  That day we had three different color of beans, (unfortunately the beautiful purple beans lose their color when cooked :(  Zucchini, Banana Peppers, Garlic, and LOTS and LOTS of butter!!

Mom's new kitchen clock :) 

The best accompaniment for stir-fry: beet greens and beets!  Also from Aunt Myrt. 

You cannot imagine how good beets are for you.  I would try to list all the vitamins that are in them, but I would run out of space so.... just eat beets!! 

Beet Greens, onions, fried in bacon fat!  Oh be still my heart!  More than delicious!!! 

Perfect mid-summer meal. 

After dinner I ran off to milk the cow we our "leasing".  Meet Miss Eleanor. 

Arriving back home, I discovered a hive of activity in the kitchen where Faith was as busy as a bee canning beans and Blueberry Jam! 

Beautiful Beans, I just wish they did not lose their color. 

Faith is our talented Canning Queen!

She also made dessert for us - creamy rice pudding with fresh blueberries.  Absolutely delicious!

So, there is a glimpse into our summer evenings!  I do hope you enjoyed it.  :)

~Chs

The Celebration Continues

I apologize for the lateness of this post.

Monday, Mom and Aunt Carmen's "real" birthday, found us at our traditional gathering place - Pine Grove park in Port Huron. 

It was such a lovely day, especially down by the water.  Just gorgeous.

Following are some fun photos from that summer afternoon.

{Bubbles}

Mom's new hammock being tried out by John. :P

It was, beyond a doubt, a lovely and enjoyable afternoon.  We were so glad we were able to share it with those we love.

~Chs

Surprise!!

 This past Monday was Mom and Aunt Carmen's birthday, but for a reason unknown to them, we had to have their party on Saturday. 

 It was a warm day, so we gathered under the willow tree.  We were so happy to have so many people join us.  Grace and Julian were there (unfortunately Tim was working and couldn't come) Theresa (also missing her husband, as Josh was up at his summer military training) Aunt Carmen (the other birthday girl) and Uncle Tim, Uncle Paul and Aunt Lucy, and our Cousin Ben and his family!  Quite the group. 

While most of us girls were inside preparing the meal, the rest of the group was having fun in the shade, snacking, tossing grapes (yes the grape in the photo did make it into Ben's mouth; Julian was a good shot!) chatting...

 playing chess, and just enjoying each other's company.

Mom and Aunt Carmen were completely unaware, but our gathering was not complete, and the rest of us were on pins and needles awaiting the surprise late comers.

 They finally arrived. Mom, gasped, sputtered, questioned...

 Aunt Carmen screamed....

 when John and Mandi walked across the lawn to join us!!!!! :)

 Hugs all around!  It was the best surprise E.V.E.R!  Neither of the twins had any clue, despite some almost flubs on our part, and Mom was completely floored.  As she said "John, you're supposed to be in Texas!!"

 The beautiful, blessed Birthday girls!

It was sooo wonderful to have John and Mandi with us, and we had lots of fun.  :D 

As soon as the excitement in the air settled, we ate dinner, midst much conversation.

The fun thing about being a twin, is that you can sing Happy Birthday... to each other!! :) 

Blowing out the candles. 

It was a wonderful and memorable evening celebrating 120 full years of life.

~Chs

The rest of the time with John and Mandi will be coming soon....

Celebrating Faith!

Early in the morning, one warm Fourth of July (early as in 4 AM), a second child was born to Paul and Cathy Sauve.  A blue eyed wispy blond haired girl, who was in such a hurry to enter the world that she was born unplanned and unexpectedly at home.....  and she hasn't slowed down ever since.

Faith is energetic, creative, talented, and visionary to the extreme.  We like to say she always sees things in black and white, no gray on the horizon. 

She has her own opinion on most things, and is not afraid to speak up. She is a leader, a go getter, a doer.

She is a care taker; she watches out for others.   She gardens, cooks, writes, plays, sings, quotes, whistles... lives with a passion.   She is passionate about what she believes, and in Whom she believes.  She is constantly striving to bring glory to her Maker, and Savior.

Happy Birthday Faith!!  May you continue to "grow," and learn, and walk, in the path God has chosen for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Included in Faith's many interests are horses, and specifically horse back riding.   We really don't have the opportunity to ride very often, so I decided to try my best to put together a time around her birthday when we could. 

God blessed exceedingly and we were able to coincide some pretty full schedules to go riding the day after her birthday with 2 very good friends!

Despite a little rough start, it was a delightful evening enjoying God's creation, the very best way... on horseback!    And hopefully it won't be the last.

~Chs