July 4th

Yes, I realize that it is now almost August and I am just posting pics from our activities on the 4th. But hey, better late than never, right? Right?

We left for Dan's parents' house on Thursday evening since Dan had off on Friday. On Friday, we went in to Willmar where Ellie and I went to the fabric warehouse to get fabric to make me a few skirts. Then we went to Dunn Brothers for coffee. Well, I got coffee and Ellie got hot chocolate (she's a little young for coffee). Dan and his dad "had" to make a trip to Best Buy (Dan loves to spend other people's money) while Beth and the other kids went to the laundromat and the park (?--see, I shouldn't wait so long to post--my memory gets a little fuzzy). Afterwards we all met at Pizza Ranch for lunch. After lunch we went back to Prinsburg and Darin learned how to ride his bike without his training wheels. He was literally giggling with glee once he was biking without help. Unfortunately he hasn't had much of a chance to ride here.



On Friday evening friends of ours arrived to spend the weekend with us. Friday night the town had fireworks and on Saturday they have lots of activities starting off with an adult and a kids run.

Natalie ran her heart out.



Here is Kara with her friend O. O comes from a family of runners.



Look at these long legs. Pretty soon she is going to be taller than me.





In the afternoon they had a tractor pull and an area with several blow-up toys.











Darin desperately wanted to go on this activity but was having a hard time finding someone close to his size to agree to go on it with him. Finally, Ellie agreed to go on it with him even though she's much larger than he is. It was hilarious to watch. Darin couldn't stand up for more than a few seconds. All Ellie had to do was tap him and he'd fall over, giggling.





Here he is standing up!



Not any more!!



After all of the festivities of the day, they had a parade. The kids got to ride on the float that the street that Dan's parents live on designed. They had fun, but who thought it would be a good idea to have winter in July!?!? At least they didn't have to wear parkas and snowpants.

Homespun Pot Pie

Here is the recipe that I mentioned earlier that we made while on vacation in Vermont. The original recipe says that it feeds six, but good grief, they must be six really hungry people. I'd say it would feed probably twelve adults. We got 2 1/2 meals out of one recipe.

Homespun Pot Pie

Vegetables

1 T olive oil

1 cup chopped onions

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 t salt

1 t dried thyme leaves

1 t dried marjoram

4 cups sliced mushrooms

1 T Dijon mustard

2 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes

2 cups chopped potatoes

2 cups peeled and chopped parsnips (optional)

1/2 t ground black pepper

3 cups chicken broth or stock

3 T cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 cup cold water

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen peas

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn

1 T soy sauce

1/2 t salt

1 1/2 pound chicken, chopped

Biscuit topping

2 c white flour

1/2 t salt

1 T baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

6 T melted butter

1 c buttermilk or plain yogurt (I used buttermilk)

1 t dill weed

Warm the oil in a soup pot. Add the onions and garlic, cover and cook on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the salt, thyme, marjoram, mushrooms and the mustard. Cook until the mushrooms start to release their juices, about 5 minutes.

Add the sweet potatoes, white potatoes, parsnips, black pepper, chicken and the broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the veggies are just tender and the chicken is cooked through. Stir the dissolved cornstarch mixture into the vegetables stirring constantly. When the liquid starts to thicken, mix in the peas, corn, soy sauce and the salt. Pour the vegetables into a greased 9x13 pan. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking powder, dill and baking soda. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter and buttermilk or yogurt. combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Drop the biscuit batter over the vegetables.

Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the biscuit topping comes out clean.

Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics.