Fair and Strawberries

We spent this weekend at our church's fair. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Country Fair is always tons of fun and this year was the first year that both kids were tall enough to ride rides without us going on them with them. Fair food is always on the menu even after TPG thought he was going to puke after riding on the Pirate Ship.

DCG is worried about TPG on the Pirate ride.
TPG on the pirate ride-sitting on top row with mouth open.
The ride lasted about 30 seconds too long and ended in tears and fears of puking for TPG.
There were many more tame rides that both kids enjoyed.
TPG liked riding in the "army" copter
and on the swirly boat ride
DCG likes to ham it up for pictures

Then it was off to Boyd's Orchard to pick strawberries.
DCG did not like the slide.
TPG did!
We picked a lot of berries



I have no idea how to can items and frankly I am afraid I would preserve some super strong bacteria that would kill all of us so I was just as happy to make a bunch of freezer jam. We ate the first jar on strawberry short cake we made. We even had cream left over in the fridge (see previous post about making butter) and made fresh made whipped cream. Yummy!
Of course the family fun could not last because my children are, well, mine. We ended our Saturday with both kids screaming and crying through their entire shower. I have no idea what they were crying about. DCG kept saying that she did not want to cry forever. When I told her to stop, she said she needed some pills. Should I be afaid??? TPG just begged to go to sleep. My children are weird.

Butter!

I bought whipping cream at the grocery because, well, I have no idea why, I just did. I put the cream in two containers and made the kids shake until we made butter. They thought it was really cool. We checked our progress as it went from whipping cream, to whipped cream to butter. I even let them taste the butter milk, which really has no taste. We then spread our freshly made butter on corn. They kids kept talking about how yummy it was. I put a teensy-weensy bit of butter on the peas too and they could not get enough of them. Home-made butter + vegetables= kids eat!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent most of the weekend in Tollesboro at the Grand Opening (well re-opening really) of Thomas Family Grocery and Cabin Creek Crafts. The grocery is the original grocery that was run by the Thomas family (TTG's family) from 1950's until the 1970's. It sits on the Thomas family farm right in front of Mamaw and Papaw Thomas' house. Gramma B. (TTG's mom) re-opened the store and sells convenience items like milk, bread and ice cream as well as the crafts she and Pop Pop B make. Lots of people stopped by to check out the store but mostly we enjoyed hanging out and spending time together. TPG enjoyed the pond and actually caught some fish and DCG and her cousin A. played together the entire time. Here are some photos.