A Summer Day Trip

This summer Trilby and I took her boys on a day trip to Des Moines. We started at the State Historical Museum.



They were impressed with the big cannon and the war artifacts.



Nate especially liked the buffalo and hoped Grandpa would shot one someday!


The boys being "goofy"!


Next stop......Iowa Hall of Pride.
Nate tried to b eat his mom in Let's Dance.


Payton really isn't quarterback material!



Cael makes his big play on the screen


And Nate was thrilled to drive the Jon Deere simulator.


Next stop....Bass Pro.
The boys try their hand at shooting.


Final stop.....Jethro's BBQ in Altoona for some scrumptious food.


And I think a good time was had by all! Next year we may add three more to our little outing as I think the next group will be old enough by then. Yippee!



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Another Sleeping Bag for a Grandson

Chance turned four in August, and it was his turn for a sleeping bag. Grayson got his last February....



Clara got hers in June.....


Chance used his when he spent the night with us when we were camping.






His has a hunting theme.


And it rolls up nice and tight...


You can find the pattern at Moda Bakeshop.

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We had a great crop of apples this year. Unfortunately our best tree was also our oldest, and it blew down in a windstorm. It produced this year, but it will not be with us next year. It made the best applesauce,

We put up about 40 pints of applesauce. The cinnamon made with red hots is the grandkids favorite.


We also made some with regular cinnamon.


And of course, unsweetened for baking.


We made a ton of apple pie filling too! It is great for apple pie, apple crisp, apple bars, and apple cake.


And just for my niece, Chansee, here is the apple pie filling recipe:

7 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Mix the following:
4 1/2 cups sugar
1c cornstarch
2 t cinnamon
10c water
Cook until thick stirring frequently.

Pack apples into clean hot jars, cover with sugar mixture to within 1/2" of top, get air bubbles out, seal with hot lids and rings.

Process in a water bath for 20 min.

Lots of apples headed south to Texas for you in the morning, Chansee!!


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