loving summer

Saturday we went to Bonneyville Mill Park. We have been there many times, but never while the mill was running. It was very interesting and the man running the mill was having so much fun explaining to our kids they way it used to be done in the good ol' days.

He showed us how the corn looked at different stages of the milling process. And then asked what brought us there to the park for the day. We told him we were taking pictures of the kids for their birthdays. He then gave us a free bag of cornmeal, that he had just ground. In a cute little bag tied with twine. I love free!

This summer is going by so quick! William celebrated his birthday in April...so Yep! I'm a little late on his birthday pictures.

Suzy turned 3 on July 5th and Isabella is getting ready to have a birthday on July 23rd.

It seems so easy to catch the innocence and fun of the littlest one in our family.

She had a lot of wonder about this place she had been to the previous summer...but had no memory of.

Jack my 1st son....had his birthday in June. The boy doesn't really like his picture taken he will say. I think deep down he does. Very deep down he likes the attention. But on this day he wasn't feeling the camera energy. I may have to re-do his pictures if I decide to re frame my pictures in the kitchen.

It was hard to get a casual looking picture from someone who kept asking, "Are we done yet?"

To add to the summer business....Our house has sold! We had an offer last week, counter offered, they counter offered, we counter offered. You know the game. Well we came to an agreement and felt good about it....So let the packing begin...well maybe next week. It looks like if everything goes well, we will be closing around the 3rd or 4th week of August. Moving that same week. We are excited about this new adventure and how it's moving. I'm also excited about the cute couple who are getting the house. They are married with no children and seem so happy about our home, which makes it exciting to see their joy in what we built here.

Let's skip the quote of the day and move onto....
flavor of the week:Vanilla bean
which I bought in powder form from E & S and added cream and milk. It only had to sit for 3 minutes before mixing in the ice cream freezer. I highly recommend for the time factor! It was very delish!
Other flavors we've enjoyed this summer...
chocolate
vanilla
cheesecake
and coffee
Here's the requested recipe for the cheesecake ice cream...
labor intense but worth it.

8 c. milk, divided
6 eggs, separated
3 c. sugar, divided
3 T. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. whipping cream
1 3 oz. box instant cheesecake pudding

In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups milk to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks; add remaining milk and mix well. Combine 2 cups sugar, cornstarch and salt; gradually add to egg mixture. Add to hot milk and bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Pour into a clean mixing bowl; set aside. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining sugar, beating well after each addition. Beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into warm milk mixture. Beat in vanilla, cream and pudding until well mixed. Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to manufacturer's directions. Yield: 3 1/2 quarts.