Did I mention going to a “Corn Drive-Thru” last week? Not even kidding. We drove up to buy a 12 ears of corn thru the window of the mini-van. So, funny and yummy.

Pretty landscape on my drive

I had a chance to partake in the small town vibe recently. No kids, husband, and agenda. Just me, warm breeze, and my camera.

I drove a stretch of 2-lane roads which landed me in downtown on main street. Rough-patch boards lined several historical buildings hinting at their thriving past. Welcoming retail shops and services seemed to be growing strong here and there, in the summer’s heat. Store stoops boomed with conversations between passers-by.  Even I chatted-it-up with the owners of the new “vintage” store that opened  in town this summer. She knew and loved the style and work of the Shabby Mamas! High Five!

i love old doorknobs, don't you?

During sunset I strolled looking in window-fronts.  I happened upon a trendy/humble/cool/owner-operated/semi-local made ice cream shop, so I checked it out.[read: saw ice cream sign and ran across the main street to get in line so fast even the cows did a double take.]

I ordered the most delicious flavor. Mint julip flavoring, grasshopper cookies, and chocolate here and there with more minty ice-cream. I was so excited my mouth literally watered a little bit as I waited for the cone to be crafted.

My hand reached out to grab the completed ice cream cone. Then the sign above the cash drawer met my eyes. It said no credit cards. What?  Clearly, I miss read. Nope, there I stood with my hand out, not taking the cone mind you,  just standing there without checks or cash.

My previously-watering mouth hanging o-p-e-n and a heartbeat of now-what-have-I-done pounding in my mind.

And just like that, he waved his hand the cone was mine. “Aw, just come back around when you can,” he beamed as I fumbled to say thank you. He wasn’t a flirt, he wasn’t a lazy cheat. He was really just a trendy/humble/cool owner of a semi-local made ice cream shop with a good sense of customer service. Now that’s a business worth coming back to…with my husband and 4 kids. Yeah, that guy just made a lot of money down the line.

Cheers for small towns, vintage markets, ice cream cones, and people who rock!

-Jess

Peter’s Uncle hosted Thanksgiving at his new farm house in the country. We enjoyed pumpkin pie made with pumpkins from their garden and a roasted hog from one of their pigs. So we said Oink! Oink! instead of Gobble! Gobble!

I was glad that I was still in maternity pants so I could treat myself to all the yummy treats. The kids played in the hay loft collecting guinea hen eggs. Peter swung from a huge rope swing proving he still has cool moves!

Hope everyone enjoys their leftovers!

Love,

Jess

P.S. I just had to include Pete’s hay bail jump. Crazy guy, I love him.

I have to eat every two hours and need to sleep often.  I able to do fun things again after months of blah-t-blah morning-noon-night sickness. Whatever, I am still gaggy but I am so much better than my first trimester.

I took the kids to a local historical farm celebration. Ryan entered into a pie eating contest, rode a pony and collected “play” chicken eggs. Molly pumped water from a well, obsessed over the baby bunnies and hung unto my shirt tightly on the wagon hay-ride.

Over Memorial weekend Peter and I took the kids geo-caching for the first time. We went to Hudson, WI and discovered 3 “treasure  boxes” to trade trinkets and sign our names. We liked it so much, I think we’ll start a new hobby!

Papa Phil helps Ryan pick fresh peas from the veggie garden.

Well it’s no Christmas card but we are all together! Top: Carly, Peter (Ryan), Phil, Tim and Lisa. Bottom: John, Kris, Molly and Jess.

The Anderson Family. Deegan, Sarah, Eric, Terry, Molly, Jeff, Mary Jo, Amanda.

This clothes pin bag is so charming with yellow, denim and rickrack. It was Great-Aunt Dorothy’s, (Grandma Margaret Thompson-Jensen’s sister),  from way back when and it is still in use by her grand-daughters.

Third cousins Deegan, Molly and Ryan swam in the mini-pool by the shade.

Surprisingly strong Molly made her way to the corn. She loves corn on the cob! The only time she was fussy all day was when her corn was all done.