experiencing summer

Gran & Pop arrived last night and we had an early 4th of July dinner with Sue and Joe. We had BBQ chicken, steak, roasted peppers, onions and zucchini, grilled corn and italian bread with butter. For dessert we had two amazing pies that Sue made from scratch. Apple and strawberry rhubarb with vanilla ice cream of course. I tried my apple with some sharp cheddar. It was actually pretty good!

Gran & Pop are staying at a nice B&B in Sutton, which is basically the closest accommodation to Sue & Joes house we could find. Hopefully tonight we will go to the fair to see fireworks, go on some rides and see some farm animals.

Finley started daycare last week. She will be going two days a week. It's a little weird because it's in a home setting, but there are some perks that aren't available at commercial places. We pay by the day and are allowed to change the day or cancel anytime. It's very flexible. It's not as structured as her previous daycare. They do arts & crafts other fun activities, but it's more like being at a baby sitter. I plan to put her in pre-school when she is closer to 3 and she is safe and has fun, so I'm not too worried. Also she is around some older kids that are very good with her, which makes me happy. Her favorite friend there is Lucas. She loves the cat, the baby dolls and unfortunately Barney. Of course they are quite surprised with the quantity she eats and so far the only time she's cried is when they ran out of food! She's a big eater!

We are having fun experiencing summer in New England. It's very different because it's so hot out! We spent a few days just swimming in the pool, Barbequing, going to scoop shops at night and last weekend we went to the Millbury carnival. It was just like the carnivals I went to when I was a kid. We had fun riding the ferris wheel and Finley even went on a few rides by herself.

Still no luck finding a house to buy or even anything promising. I really want a place with a pool and a mother-in-law, at least 1 acre and 3 bedrooms. I'm willing to be flexible on the location and age of the house..although the house has to be visually appealing. I have yet to find one that meets my criteria even with lowering my original hopes for an old house with at least 5 acres.

Natural Pet store in Gloucster

 The beach in Rockport from a few weeks ago

 Ben made us an amazing dinner of beer can chicken in fried string beans

The food festival In Worcester

Sue and Joes lovely house

 We went to the Beef Barn the other night which specializes in roast beef sandwiches. I had a steak sandwich with swiss and mushrooms and a piece of peanut butter pie for dessert. It was very good and very inexpensive. We need to go there for breakfast soon!

 Sue's pies from last night

Fried String Beans


by The Neelys

Ingredients

• Peanut oil, for frying
• 1 cup beer
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 1 pound green beans, ends trimmed

Directions

Preheat oil to 375 degrees F.

Whisk the beer, flour, salt and pepper until smooth.

Dip green beans into batter to coat, letting excess drip off. Fry in the peanut oil in batches, until they are golden and crisp. Remove from oil with a spider strainer to a paper towel lined sheet tray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.