River Trip details

We spent four days on the water. We learned that our new boat was exactly what we needed and that river trips are a blast with company. You see in the past we often went alone on trips, having a good time but with more people comes more fun. We went with three other families and there was someone for everyone to play with. The river was a mix of flatwater and rapids. Thankfully the rapids were near the end for rafting newbies such as ourselves. Canoe camping gave us a pretty firm foundation for raft camping only now we have seen how the other half live... Hand crank blenders, cast iron woks, and giant coolers.
There is talk of the next trip this season. Hopefully it will materialize.

Camp kitchen

 

a river trip

We returned late Wednesday from a blissful trip down the deschutes river. Our party was a group of 13 in five boats. Did I tell you we got a new (to us) boat recently? We did! And it's no canoe.

Internet is cranky, hopefully i fill in more details soon!

Big things are happening

This week I have been pulled in multiple different direction. All good things I could just do with out them all happening at once. We are gearing up for a river trip and that is what I want to focus on. I'll fill in the details later. Just thought I'd check in.

Menu

After dinner on Friday, a cherry Tart Flambee. The first time the brandy was overheated. So we tried again and it worked great.
This morning whole wheat creme fresh cherry scones. They are on the oven . . .

Cherry Update

The mass of cherries on my counter, table, and in the fridge is dwindling. Last night I made two batches of Cherry Bounce. One with Vodka and the other with Brandy. Time will tell who the winner is.

Odin helped to make tonight's cherry clafoutis. It is a wonderful dessert it's incredibly easy and delicious! Odin pitted the cherries, whisked the dry ingredients, cracked the eggs into a bowl, mixed eggs into dry, and stirred in the cherries. Oh and he helped eat it too.

See the two jars of cherry bounce in the back?

The secret to so many cherries

Is having a pitter that loads itself (mostly).

Most of the mess fell right under the pitter and was caught be the tray, but there were also a large number of cherry colored freckles at the end of the day.

Cherries, Cherries, Cherries

Over the weekend we went cherry picking with another couple and their kiddos, we did some camping, some picking and some canning. It is hard to say how much we picked, but we guess in total it was about 120 pounds. Lots were canned, frozen and dried. We even gave some away. My freezer is half full of frozen cherries. Please share you favorite recipes with me!

We all had picking sacks held up with suspenders, they worked great!

Odin really wanted to use the ladders, but he only got to use Dad's shoulders

Our haul loaded on the picnic table

Canning on a camp stove is easier than I thought

Canned whole cherries, brandy cherries, and cherry jam

4th

checking out a fire truck waiting for darkness to fall

 Fireworks last night were over the marina. We were invited by one of John's coworkers to watch the display from a boat in the marina. It was a first for me, I loved seeing the fireworks through all the masts.
 

Fun week

In the morning we say bon voyage to grandma and grandpa. It's been a great week full of playing in the yard, riding bikes, reading books, and exploring.