Lake Weekend Away

  When Dale asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, I said two things:

 One - I want to go rough it at the lake for the weekend.  Open skies, sunshine and relaxation!

Two- A buffet/hutch thing for the back porch of our apartment home for easier meals out there.

  He got right to work on it!

  I am constantly amazed at my Mr Handy Man and all the secret skills he has, because he whipped this out in no time and its coming together just like it looked in my head! How did he even know?!

  Here it is, all finished, minus the decor I hope to find this summer when we go antiquing on the east coast! :)

   We headed to the lake Friday afternoon......I always follow behind in the truck loaded down with chairs, floats, coolers and fishing gear!

  We parked in my favorite favorite spot.  It has no hook ups, but I didn't care, it was worth "roughing it" for the views every morning!

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  We spent the first afternoon in the sun, fishing and playing and reading!  It was lovely.

  Dale caught a fish every few minutes at the beginning, and Destiny got her first catch too. 

  I don't think being at the lake means we can ONLY eat lake food, so I planned for our first supper to use the instant pot. Super easy Philly Cheesesteaks with homemade provolone sauce.

  I found the recipe here:  www.laurengreutman.com/slow-cooker-cheesesteak-sandwiches/

  Then, I made the following sauce recipe, see images:

  After dinner we want down to the river to explore, it's so beautiful here!

  Time to get some EXHAUSTED kiddos to bed!  Serenity oil and serenity pills help everyone relax and get the deep, quality sleep they need for another day of fun in the sun.

  I woke up WAY too early Saturday morning, but look at the view from my bedroom window.  Good morning, Moon!

  It was simply TOO STUNNING to go back to bed.

  So I stayed up and watched my fishermen in his element....

  One by one the Ferguson's woke up and came and joined me by the fire.....so peaceful and lovely!

  The boys headed right out to fish with daddy!

  I make my own bug spray and sunscreen because of the toxins in the store bought stuff, it's so nice to have natural things at our fingertips!!!!

  But it helps if you USE them.  Mommy did a good job putting lotion on everyone but HERSELF.  (blue squeezy bottle)  Oopsie! Chest was red and sore.  Blue Tansy and doTERRA night cream to the rescue.  I used the essential skin care toner first, to cool.  Then slathered myself in blue tansy oil dripped on the night cream and got relief for HOURS.  The next morning, I am brown again, and no sting! YAY, for another oil win!

  Being Mother's Day weekend, we planned to have each mom come spend one day with us at the lake.  It was SO FUN!

 First up, was Nana, my mom......

  We read books in the sun all afternoon, played games while dinner cooked and had a lovely time! 

  We did Hobo Dinners for supper. Mmm!

  -A pat of butter, cubed red potatoes, seasoning.
 -Chopped onion, cubed zucchini, baby bella mushrooms. More seasoning.
-A stack of previously smoked pork (cooked seasoned burger patties work too).
-Spoon organic cream of mushroom soup over the top and close foil packet. 

 Oh my word! It was so good! We served it with soft rolls so you could sop up all that good sauce after.

  For dessert we stayed with the Hobo style and did dessert cones.

  -Empty sugar cones
  -Different chips (mint, pb, caramel, chocolate, white chocolate)
 -Marshmallows
 -Fresh slices of strawberries (for topping after you cook it)

  The kids wanted to show Nana the forest and sunset, so we loaded up in the truck just like the night before, and headed out......

  Mother's Day dawned sunny and beautiful.  I totally slept in until 7:30, and missed the sunrise!  Must have been the 4:30am start the previous day?!  ;)

  Dale and the kids were scurrying around making breakfast over the fire.  So precious!

    Today Dale's siblings and momma would be joining us!  And later, his aunt Lucy and her crew.

  Grandpa and Grandma brought out the cousins to play! The kids were so happy!

 Once everyone arrived, we did a late lunch/supper. Smoked gouda cheeseburgers, giant dogs and all the yummy fixins!  I wish I had a photo, but alas, I dove in and didn't even think about it! Haha, yup, that hungry! :)

  As the sky started to deepen, the kids once again asked to go to the forest and jetty for the sunset.  

Sunset watch.

  We had an amazing time and I think a new tradition might have been born!

  My only regret was that this wasn't my view again this morning.  :)

Hope you all had an amazing relaxing weekend!

Hugs, T