Sunday, July 15, 2018 - Lazy Morning; Grilled Hamburgers/Brauts; Sunday Sisterfest in Joplin; Video Call with Matt, Josh & Sara; Taco Salads & Homemade Ice Cream

Sunday, July 15, 2018 - Lazy Morning; Grilled Hamburgers/Brauts; Sunday Sisterfest in Joplin; Video Call with Matt, Josh & Sara; Taco Salads & Homemade Ice Cream 

I cannot believe we slept until 6:00am this morning, and then we took our time enjoying our morning coffee and having breakfast.  Dean went on into Brett's about 8:30-9:00.  I told him I would be in later.  After getting ready, I wanted to make sure everything was done before I went to the house.  I hate returning home to an unmade bed, dishes undone, and things laying around.  Of course, in a small space it really makes a big difference.  Fortunately it doesn't take long, and soon I was joining everyone else inside.  Brett and Tucker were up, but Dacy was still sleeping.  Brett was cleaning his ice cream freezer as he planned to make a batch of ice cream after lunch today.  Yummm!  Who doesn't love homemade ice cream?  

He needed some rock salt before he could make it, so Dean, Tucker and Brett headed to Lamar to get that and a few other things.  Brett started the fire in the grill before he left so we could start the grilling when he returned.  I have been wanting to start going through all of the materials I have received from the states we plan to visit when we head east, so I brought them in to look through while the guys are gone.  When Dacy got up, shortly after they left, we visited about traveling and some of the things to see and do in various places, including cruises.  

I had bought a package of brats a couple of days ago and Brett had some hamburger that he made into patties.  Brett and I both love sauerkraut, so I opened a can and put it on the stove, on low heat, after they returned from town.  It was so good on the brats along with relish and mustard!

I could not stay to eat ice cream with them.  I needed to leave at 12:30 so I could drive to Joplin where I will meet my sisters, Cindy, Crystal and Carla (Jody, to us) at my step-dad's.  I think Cindy and Crystal are the only ones that know I will be there.  When I pulled up, someone opened the door.  I heard Verna say is someone else here, and then I walked in.  Yes, they were surprised.  We had a nice visit.  Crystal brought her famous 4 layer butterscotch dessert.  It's a nice cool dessert to enjoy with this hot weather we are having!  It seemed like the time just flew by..... and it was time to leave.  I took a different route back to Brett's and it seemed much quicker than the drive over.  The sky was really dark to the west of me as I headed north out of Joplin on Highway 43; and a few heavy sprinkles hit the windshield, but I never had to turn the wipers on.

After I got back to the house, Brett put a movie in to watch.  I can't remember the name of it.  Dean and I had seen it before, a few years ago.  It was pretty good.  Afterwards, we went outside to set on the back porch for awhile.  There is such a beautiful view here out over the fields, and then some small rolling hills beyond that.  It's very peaceful and calming.  At 5:30 I went inside to start dinner.  While I was making taco salads, Brett called Matt to talk to him and the family.  Josh and Sarah visited with him and Papa quite a bit, and I had a chance to tell them both hello too.  When we talked to Josh a few days ago, he and Papa were talking about tickling matches.  Josh reminded Papa that he couldn't wait for Papa to tickle him when we get to his house.  He's so cute!  We ate our salads and afterwards I thoroughly enjoyed the ice cream Brett saved for me.  Oh my, it was soooo good.  He added a vanilla bean to the mixture in the blender; as well as some good Mexican vanilla.  Yum!

Taco Salad
Cut up romaine lettuce and fill nice sized individual salad bowls (I use a pasta bowl to spread it out, making it easier to eat).  Add red kidney beans, black olives (sliced), grated cheddar cheese, tomatoes, avocados (chop in bite size pieces), onion (optional). Crunch a bag of nacho cheese Doritos and layer a thin amount over the top.  

Add 3 T of taco seasoning and 1/3-1/2 c of water, or a packet of taco seasoning (follow packet directions) to hamburger and cook until the liquid is almost gone.  We use Dorothy Lynch dressing to top it off.  

Sometimes in place of hamburger I will use 2 cups of cut up rotisserie chicken, adding 1-2 T. taco seasoning and 1/3 c. water.  We really love these taco salads for a lighter main meal, especially during the summer months.


After I finished the dishes, I came back to Bentley to finish yesterday's post and work on today's.

We've had such a good visit with Brett and his family the past few days.  We will be moving to Oswego tomorrow, where we will stay until July 22nd.  We're looking forward to seeing everyone.  It occurred to us a couple of days ago, that we need to change out a few clothing items while we are here.  Since we are leaving so late in the season to head to New York and then on to the New England states, we decided we should probably bring some jackets and coats, so we will take care of that while we in Oswego too.  

We already have a lot planned while we are in Oswego and I think the time will fly by, but hopefully we get to see everyone we want to and get a few chores done as well.  

Until next time!