How to stay home for a weekend...kinda...

After weeks of not knowing what our house looks like on the weekends, we stayed home. We weren't lazy in the least but at least we slept in our own beds.

We took in a little Bismarck fun. They held their first annual German Days in downtown Bismarck. We had high hopes. With the price of the gate admission, the cost of the food, and the cost of the beer, we were expecting a bit more. We did enjoy our food. I had kuchen (German custard with fruit) and a fleischkuechle (which is a seasoned meat wrapped in dough and deep fried). Matt had the sampler plate....cheese buttons, krout with knoephla, and a cabbage roll. We enjoyed these meals with a beer while listening to the Little Dutch Band. We didn't stay too long as the crowds became a bit lengthy for meal lines, which was really too bad for me, I wanted a strudel dessert with honey.

Saturday was busy and left us feeling sore and tired. I started the day with a Bountiful Basket pick up. I got peaches and I'm anxious for them to turn to can them. From there, I woke Matt up and we headed to our "second job." Our wedding decorated had let us know that she had some part-time openings for set-up and tear down help for her events. We figured a little mad money couldn't hurt and who doesn't love a little wedding fun. We put on 200 chair covers that morning as well as set runners and center pieces only to take them off later that night and mingle through the hot dance floor. There were two weddings on the same day. We couldn't believe the work and detail that went into each one.

Between those two events, we headed out to the farm and helped them take off the east wall of the barn. They are expanding and adding another lean-to. Was surprised how quick it went with the 5 of us.


The garden is slowly coming along. We did some major harvesting including the lettuce and some of our beans. We didn't have as many as we thought but if we didn't pick those and the pea pods and eat them right there, we may have had more. Tomatoes continue to plod along as does our cucs and pumpkins. Things are growing but we'd like to see things moving along a little quicker. We have great neighbors who have been sharing their wealth lately....who can complain about free produce. I'm a wishing they would have planted zucchini. So far we've been gifted cucs, lettuce, and beans.

On Sunday, after sleeping in, we took the day slowish. We washed the camper after getting it home...we'll need to work on the inside for a bit too now but the outside is much brighter. We did laundry, bought groceries, and cooked an amazing supper.

We had decided to do pizza but I thought we should give the grill a try. We really outdid ourselves! So tasty. We made small personalish sized with multiple varieties, even adding fresh basil to the mix straight from the garden. Matt was the grillmaster and I was the ordered. We also attempted a new dough recipe with semolina flour.

After we took Dad a few burgers, we went to bed and I'd call the weekend a total success.

MJR: What kind do you want?
ALR: I want a "Randy"
MJR: Pepperoni and Jalapenos?
ALR: Yes, that's a Randy.
10 minutes later, pizza is done and out.
MJR is cutting fresh purple basil for the top and only puts on half.
ALR reaches for slice with basil on top.
MJR: Nah-ah, a true Randy doesn't have the purple basil... you stick with the original.