A Mini-Break at the Lake

I know we’re still in the middle of recapping our Montana trip, but we spent some time at a friend’s lake house this weekend and I thought I’d interlude with a few pics so that two weeks from now I’m not just getting around to it. Oh the woes of so many things to do this summer!

We re-introduced Clive to the water. You may remember during our last camping trip he wasn’t all that thrilled to be in the water. This time he found comfort floating on a mat with Neil pushing him around. He even caught a few Zzz’s. I don’t know what to think of the image though. Looks too happy? Too much like a stock photo?

We played a totally new-to-us yard game that we dubbed “Testicle Toss.” It’s also called “Hillbilly Golf.” Have you ever played it? I don’t know how I miss out on all these games, but this was a TON of fun, and you could easily make your own set with PVC, nylon rope and some golf balls. It follows the same basic premise as washers, but you try to loop the golf balls around the different levels of PVC. Bottom level is 1 point, middle level is 2 points and top level is 3 points. The first person with 11 points is the winner. We had a tournament and I ended up getting second place even though it was my first time.

Martha and Austin

Martha is the master, look at that casual pose!

It was a really fun game, and once we have more room I’d love to make a set to have for backyard barbecues and tailgates. Clive was such a ham of an audience member:

All in all, an amazingly fun time. Thanks to the Strifler’s for having all of us to their beautiful lake house. We’re so lucky to count you as family!

So here’s where things get a little surreal. Neil’s mom called the day before the trip to ask if we wanted any of their surplus from the garden. I of course said yes. I mean, who would turn down fresh garden produce and let it go to waste? Certainly not me. Neil’s parents brought us cooler packed FULL of goodies! I had no idea how much it would be until we got home and unpacked it.

Included in the inventory (from left to right):

• 1 box of apples
• 3 freezer bags of peaches
• 4 freezer bags of blackberries
• 3 freezer bags of blueberries
• 1 shopping bag of cucumbers and zucchini
• 1 tupperware of dill pickles
• 4 boxes of plums (two didn’t fit on the counter)
• 1 tupperware of fresh raspberries
• 1 tupperware of blueberries
• 4 eggplants
• 2 containers of fresh plum and berry juice
• A bag of okra (in fridge)
• Misc. tomatoes and peppers (in fridge)

If you’re a foodie, this is something right out of your dreams right? A cooler full of free organic produce, where do you even begin? That’s why I need your help. What should I make? Should I can some of this? What would YOU make? Help!?