Summer Fun

We've had a few adventures since I last posted. I went with my friends from the math department- Brie, Wil, and others,- to Oneonta Gorge and Eagle Creek for some hiking and wading. Those pictures are on facebook, but I did not take them.

A week or two later I took CJ to Oneonta Gorge but we did not take a camera since I was worried about getting it wet. We went swimming and climbed the rocks up behind the waterfall.

The next week I took my sister, Anna, to Oneonta again, and for a hike around the area.

There were too many people and it was very dark, so pictures were hard for me. But it was quite amazing.

The hike up the hill was beautiful, and it was wonderful spending such quality time with my sister. I think she really enjoyed the hike too.

She's such an amazing woman!

This weekend, CJ's uncle Tim had us all up at his farm in Redmond. We were going up to help him pick his corn, but it wasn't ready. We might go back next weekend! His house was so comfy and has such a great view.

The horse's name is Shadow. He loves me <3.

Besides the corn, Tim has potatoes, carrots, all kinds of squash, cucumber, and more that I can't remember. We spent the whole weekend harvesting, weeding, mowing, cleaning, etc.

We all worked so hard that by sundown we were in bed, and up as soon as the sun came up. Tim's wife was out of town, so Marie and I took over all the cooking and cleaning, and fed the four hungry men 3 times a day! It was a role I enjoyed.

We made pickles from the garden's cucumbers.

I did not want to come home. I loved riding tractors, cooking for grateful hungry men, and spending time outside in the sunshine with family. I hope we can go back soon! Once we got home, I made some tasty food with tomatoes from my garden. Maybe my corn will be ready next week. For now, its store bought ;) But at least it was all from scratch!

Budgets are Fun

They really are, I'm not being sarcastic. Recently we decided that we need to go back to the old fashioned way of balancing the check book with envelopes of cash and the whole deal, like we did the first two years we were married. At first I was a little stressed. Dealing with arithmetic is NOT my strong suit, plus the idea of cutting back doesn't seem fun. But I sucked it up, and made one. I'm glad I did. It actually made our situation LESS stressful! I know how much we have and where its going and how much I can spend without wondering if its ok. Turns out its very little, but at least I know!! Hehe.

Ashley and I want to go to some farms and pick seasonal fruit and produce, and bring them home and bake pies and tasty meals together. So every week at the grocery store, I try to not spend all the alloted envelope money, and save the extras up for berry picking!

Yesterday CJ and I went to the county fair. CJ found some *extra* cash in his pants, so we got to spend it on parking! It sounds silly, but you have to be strict starting out, or we won't learn. It was so hard to be good and not buy the corn dogs and ice-cream and go on rides, but we did well. And I feel so proud of us.

Its empowering to have a budget, and it gives me a chance to improve myself.

Afterwards we went to the park and ate a picnic lunch. I didn't bring my camera unfortunately, so I don't have any pictures of this outing. But I do have updates of my home garden's progress, and a cute picture of my cat!

Hey there, Blue Eyes!

Almost every stalk has an ear.

My green onions are thick and flavorful. I put them in almost everything.

I have about 30 of these little tomatoes growing right now.

My strawberries are sour and tiny, but I trust they will be better next year!