A Week in Omaha, June 17-23, 2008

June 17-23, 2008 found me in Omaha. Mommy and Daddy were preparing for a short trip to Seattle (sightseeing) so I went to stay with our grandchildren(!). :-) The first item of business were Scribble pads; they were a hit!

L is eager to show off his dad's handiwork in the backyard.

Big brother scoping out the backyard with the telescope.

Little sister tries it, too.

I don't know which photo I like best.
How about you?
(click on them to enlarge a bit)

After the parents leave, we head for a local home/garden/lumber store!

It's not long before we're back home again.

One day we took a walk to a neighborhood bakery.
Chocolate faces!

And explored the steps of a large church on the way home.

Bubbles in the backyard.

Eating Grandma's apple cake
while we make clothespin dolls.

L's new placemat

Grandma made one for A.

Our "Welcome Home Banner!"

And, here they are!

A couple of photos from our trip to Lauritson Gardens.

A Postscript is added here: We also made stepping stones to surprise Mommy and Daddy!
Here are some photos (thanks Cheryl!):
A very Fun Week.

We Just Got Home From Michigan...

... and we would have loved to stay a little longer! After we arrived Thursday evening, we took a short walk to a neighborhood schoolyard park.

This is the "short-person's" way of enjoying a neighbor's flowers along the way.
(I'd be kneeling! At least!)
;-)

A race isn't always fair when one person's legs are shorter than the other's,
but there were plenty of swings!

Then there was a bit of climbing.
Grandpa and H

On Saturday, the girls and their dad and I painted some pottery (an early
birthday gift to me!) I didn't take my camera - THAT was a mistake... but I'll post
the outcome later.

Then there was a short run to Meijer's Garden Center... purchased a few flowers and a bag of dirt. :-)

Here's a puzzle for you! Vinca minor with different blossoms?











The weather was pretty blustery and chilly, but we did get another walk in on Sunday afternoon.




Last, but not least: Two evenings in the motel pool.
Did WE care if it wasn't so nice outdoors? Not at all!



















At the last... family photos.
A great time always goes quickly!

Mother's Day Weekend Visit

On Friday evening, L helped me make the batter for "Platz." Recipe follows at the end of this post. He used his strong muscles and shaved the butter. (That's how I do it... with a fork.) We enjoyed this with breakfast Saturday morning.

And here's a little video showing the process in action! We also use a great apple peeler that peels, cuts, and cores!

C & K and L & A were here for the weekend! Were we ever busy! Here's a photo of Friday night's Bedtime Book with Grandpa.

After Saturday's breakfast, we headed out to "the farm" to search for morel mushrooms.

Here's a little video of our foraging party. :-)

Sometimes Ada led the way,

and sometimes it was more fun to watch ladybugs!Here's a photo of some Great Cup Fungus!We did a lot of walking and searching.
Sometimes a fellow just needs to rest!
Somebody's Dad found a great morel mushroom!
This is one of three bags that was bulging
by the time we finished!After naps, we girls went across country to a Mennonite greenhouse.
The rest of the family went fishing.And had a great time!I don't know that we could do MORE in one weekend, but we sure had a great time...
and made some great memories!


Platz (Mennonite Apple Cake)

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all batter ingredients and spread in a well-greased 17" x 11 1/2" x 1" jelly roll pan.

Cover liberally with fruit of choice (sliced apple, cherries, berries, plums, peaches, etc.).

Sprinkle topping over fruit: 1/4 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 cup flour.

Bake at 375 degrees for around 30 minutes or so... until lightly but not over-browned.