Blackberries!

What do you get when you mix 90 acres of certified organic farmland, my two dirt loving boys, and a group of the sassiest local Philly Bloggers?

An all out Blackberry Picking Bonanza ~ and a certified Mess!

The Boys and I met up with some fellow members of Philly Social Media Moms, and headed out to Longview Center for Agriculture to learn about sustainable farming, enjoy some straight from the vine tastings, pick gallons of the juiciest and sweetest Blackberries....

and then end our experience with a fresh, and refreshing Peach Slushie....and filling up on the amazing local organic products in the market.....Everything from Maple Syrup and out of this world Strawberry Jam, to Whole Bean Coffee, Pasta Sauces and even Beauty Products...

It was an absolutely perfect day to channel my inner farmer, and also my inner foodie, and have a complete (no pun intended) growing experience....

Our "Tour Farmer" took the crew around and gave us such an education on sustainable growing practices, as well as the mission of the farm, and how all the different plants not only taste amazing, even straight off the vine, but also have their own unique eco-function, that helps keep this farm growing and prospering.

and the orchard......though it's bounty is still not quite ripe.....it makes me yearn for one of those crisp fall days....when I promise we will be back to fill our baskets with more apples then we would know what to do with.

The amazing thing about Longview, is that it is a complete experience. It is an experience for all 5 senses....and you walk away with not only a full belly, but also a full sense of spirit and knowledge.....to know where your produce comes from, how it benefits not only you, but the environment....

and then there were the Blackberries.....oh the Blackberries....the Biggest, Juiciest and messiest berries I think I've ever had....and they boys....oh the boys, who ate 3 for every 1 we picked...

It was a mouth watering homage to summer, that literally was written all over a certain someones little face....

Longview Center for Agriculture (formally Willow Creek Orchards) serves as a center for farm based education, and holds weekly classes on everything from flower arranging to cheese making (yes please) and on August 20th will be hosting a Mater and Tater Festival.....which should quite the experience!

The Longview Center for Agriculture is located at

3215 Stump Hall Road, Collegeville, PA

610-584-8202

Hours of Operation are

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm

Roamin Holiday

We came, we saw, we conquered. Almost 2 weeks of rest and relaxation in the heart of the midwestern countryside, where the corn and stars are as plentiful as the internet and cell phone service is spotty. It was my definition of the perfect vacation, sitting on a white porch swing, watching the world go by, with no emails to answer, no traffic to fight....I think we could count on two hands the total number of cars that passed down our road, the entirety of our vacation.

It was a vacation, where I was able to bring out my inner cowgirl, and remember why old trucks, small towns, and the notion of work hard and playing harder, hold such a special place in my heart.

My In-laws purchased an amazing little 1890's Farm, that though worn and calloused as the hands of the generations of farmers who have lived in her, with a little spit and polish, I know she will truly shine.

There was nothing better than sitting every morning, on the porch swing, that over looks the small grape orchard, and the acres of corn beyond, that waves in the breeze like a rolling green ocean, as far as the eye can see.....It was a quiet spot to get lost in your thoughts....

and realize, I can survive without internet service.......who knew?

It was a vacation where we made our own fun, of romping through an apple orchard, exploring what secrets the Big Old Barn holds, joy riding on granny and paw's riding lawn mower, and generally getting into good old-fashioned mischief....the kind you find yourself talking about when you are in your 30's....

the kind I talk about, now that I'm in my 30's....

It was the quality time, we all were starving for. After only seeing The Husband a total of 2 weeks over the last 3 months, we drank in every second, and didn't think once about if and when he would be leaving again...

It was the vacation we pinned the new Sheriff in town, and had a first birthday celebration, any young cowboy would be proud of.....

We laughed till we cried.....and even cried till we laughed, and some of us even brought out our inner BraveHeart and trudged off to seize the day....

In the buff......

It was a vacation that even though the days seemed to go slow....ended much too soon....

and Here I am, back in my own kitchen, missing the melt in your mouth doughnuts from Brumbaughs, that white porch swing, that little farmhouse with no air conditioning,

and I can even say, I even miss no internet......

Even with missing all the wonderful things that make me long to live away from the hustle and bustle that is my everyday life....

I have to say.....

It's nice to be home

The Kiddie-Piller and the Toddler

Losing my $10 and the last pack of my Strawberry Bubble Yum, on the dare of how long it would take the kids to have a melt down on our 10 hour drive to Ohio, was totally worth seeing the utter joy in my sons face as he felt the wind in his short blond locks, and the adrenaline rush of flying around on the "Kiddie-piller".....

and snapping the facial expression of the little guy sitting in front of him....priceless....

Watching Noah experience the amazing feeling of being whipped and jostled around at 60 mph..."Kiddie-piller" speed for the first time, made my mushy mommy heart swell with pride.

Watching my little 34 inch peanut standing in line, his little hand holding that of his cousins....I had to admit, I was worried of how he would do...

Would he be scared?

Can they stop the ride if he gets too freaked out?

Am I big enough to tackle the tough as nails looking guy in charge of the thing if he wouldn't stop the ride?

Would my peanut be traumatized for the rest of his life? Having anxiety attacks at the mere thought of a roller coaster?

I stood with my hands on the camera, and my eyes on the cars as they made the first slow...

in retrospect...very small.....

climb....before turning and making the first

and only

"Kiddie-Piller" sized drop......

as soon as his car came whipping around the bend in front of me, I knew I had NOTHING to be nervous about. The absolute joy and excitement he had on his face was something I will never forget, even if I hadn't taken the 600 pictures of the 5 Times he had to ride the "Kiddie-piller" that day....

The Sweet Life

A picture is worth a thousand words, and I've decided that this picture truly expresses how my last week went....in a way NO words could accurately describe......

I can never get enough of our trips to Ohio and I think I can honestly say I might even take playing in corn fields, stuffing my face with Texas Tenderloins and drowning myself in Lemonade Shakeups over lying on a white sand beach somewhere drinking Mai Tai's and getting a sunburn....

I am not ashamed to admit that I am so very lucky....not only am I blessed with my super sexy, generous and loving Hubs, but he brought with him, his lovely, wonderful, amazing, funny....did I say amazing family. I could not have dreamt up a better family (besides my own) to have my children be a part of....

and spending 5 days with them, always makes me want kiss city/suburban life goodbye forever....and fall in love with living the country life.....

and this time was no exception...

This last week has, as usual been a fabulous, fantastic and utterly exhausting vacation, full of my three favorite F words....Family, Food and Fair.....I've laughed until I've cried, gained about 5 lbs, and lost $10 and my bubble yum on a dare. I've stepped in pig poo, cow poo and I think something else I think might be some sort of poo.....

and even though I'm so very happy to be home where I can sleep in my own bed....

and oh, how I missed decent water pressure.....

There is something to be said about well water that leaves your hair so soft, towns where everyone is on a first name basis, and summer nights where all you hear are the crickets and the occasional lowing of a cow..

There was always a free shoulder for Ryan to lay his head on, a free hand for Noah to hold, and someone to share a good laugh or my funnel cake with.......

finding the last bit of powdered sugar on my shirt this afternoon as I am unpacking, is just another reminder of how I devoured this entire last week, and HOW sweet enjoying your family can really be.

...to be continued...

Monday...And Mary Poppins

It will be 36 hours until my husband unceremoniously pokes me in the side to get me up and at 'em for our fabulous trip to Ohio....

To say I am not a morning person, would be putting it lightly...I may be much more agreeable to the early departure time, if he lovingly leaves a large Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee and a bagel with cream cheese by the bed......

Today, we had our introductory visit from the Pet Sitter, who will be taking care of our Three Furry Children, while we are away. This is the first time that we've chosen a pet sitter, over boarding the furry ones at a kennel....and at first I was a little worried about how this might work out....

I've decided it was the Mary Poppins of Dog Sitters, that was standing on my front stoop today....and I couldn't be happier....she had all three eating out of her hand...and I have a strange feeling that they will end up being better for her, then they EVER are for us....

makes me wonder if she watches kids too.....

Now, that I've checked that off the list, I now need to actually start packing....but as usual, my self diagnosed condition of procrastination has flared up....and I've spent the majority of the afternoon....on the front lawn,.....enjoying the breeze ....and playing....

because Playing is SO much more fun than Packing.....

Makes me wonder if Mary Poppins does packing too?