Morehouse Park (aka Goose Poop Park)

 So I'm really into the flora...

 Queen of the bridge

 One of my favorites!

 My next favorite!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been going to Morehouse Park to feed the ducks and geese.  However, I have never called this park by it's correct name. I've always known it as goose poop park (this is the cleaned up title)...that's just my what grandma has always called it.  Probably because of how many geese populate this park...ALOT!

Terry and I have made it a point to get to this park at least once a month in the spring and summer.  We feed the ducks/geese and then go to the Blast for the best, cheapest ice cream around.

However on this day, the ducks weren't too interested in eating our hot dog buns.  Instead we explored a part of the park the girls had never seen...we went on an adventure.  They got to exlore new sights and bridges, I got to explore new functions on the camera...it was a win-win for everyone.

Hope pretended to be the queen of the castle while playing on the bridge.  Kiyah got to see a garter snake up close at it slithered across our path.

Shots of Summer

 A day in grandma's garden...after being told NOT to pick the flowers.  Can you see the attitude?

 After a day on the pontoon, playing on the playground.

 Oh so sneaky...this is the day Hope pretended to be a bear and snuck up on our elderly neighbor in the back yard.  Glad she has a sence of humor.

Steele County Free Fair 2012

 I had to do the spinning rides with Hope...Terry and Kiyah can't do them :)

Steeley, the Steele County Free Fair Mascot...he was on the Carousel with the girls.

2012-08-11 La Crosse, WI

Click here to view these pictures larger

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler-a healthier version!

 Fresh Colorado Peaches plus Fresh (frozen) Michigan Blueberries...

 combine in a hot cast iron skillet (or 9x13 pan)...

to create the most wonderful Peach and Blueberry Cobbler ever!!!

I've always tried to find healthier versions of my favorite foods..now it's even more important to add extra fiber to our diet. I found this recipe at www.eatingwell.com.  This is so good I've made it twice this week because my family has devoured it.

10 Servings
3 Tbls unsalted butter
2 tbls canola oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 cup reduced fat milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 (or 4) ripe but firm peaches, pitted and sliced into eighths
2 cups (1 pint) fresh or frozen blueberries

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Place butter and oil in 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet or a 9x13 baking pan. Heat in oven until melted, about 5-7 minutes.
3.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add milk, sugar and vanilla; stir to combine.
4.  Add melted butter mixture; Stir to combine. Pour batter into hot pan.  Spoon peaches and blueberries evenly over batter. (make sure the berries get around the edge of the pan or their sink into the middle)
5.  Return pan to oven and bake about 50 minutes-1 hr.  Cobbler will be browned and puffed up around the fruit and will look set.  Cool on wire rack at least 15 minutes. Serve warm

Nutrition facts per serving: 182 calories; 8 g fat; 3 g Sat fat; 3 g protein; 3 g fiber

Cucumbers to pickles!

 My parents had an abundance of cucumbers from their garden.  My neighbor had an abundance of garlic.  I had Kerr canning jars in ample supply.  So I combined them.

 Slice the cucumbers...add a few more ingredients that are so simple to put together and viola...

You get Spicy Garlic Pickles.

Kasper the Horse

The girls, especially Kiyah, have wanted to take horseback riding lessons for quite some time.  They have only ever ridden the ponies at the county fair. This past Monday, my dad surprised the girls with riding!  They were so excited. Even though Kiyah was the one that really wanted to ride, she was a little nervous after seeing how big the horse was...she let Hope go first.  They both did an amazing job of listening to the trainer and having fun.

Beaver Lake

We are very fortunate to live about 5 minutes away from a neat little park and lake.  I grew up going to this lake...swimming, tubing, water skiing (yes, I used to do that), looking for fish and frogs and turtles....so it's neat to be able to take the girls and explore.

However, our girls are not ones to enjoy playing IN the water, but on the shore NEXT to the water.  The past two weekends Terry and I have made it a point to get them comfortable IN the water. These pictures reflect that.

New Camera

It's official!  The MN Mikesells have a camera again.  It's not a NEW camera, but it's new to us.  It's an Olympus DSLR that I am having an awesome time playing with.  In just the first day, I literally took over 200 photos.  It feels wonderful to get my creative juices flowing again.  I'll warn you, be prepared for lots more blog posts in the coming days.