The children broaden horizons

The children have a way of broadening my horizons.

Austin is our bird lover and has been teaching me about birds we rarely see, but can be identified by their song if we know what to listen for. Recently he went through the shelf in the garage and got out feeders we haven’t used for a while, to attract a bigger variety of birds. In the shop he made an Oriole feeder and painted it bright orange. Apparently a sneaky raccoon has been getting his share of his grape jelly he’s been putting out. Then there’s pine cones slathered with peanut butter and sprinkled with sunflower seeds he’s been putting out.

The children are old enough that they teach me something new every day. Their ideas keep me hopping and making decisions. They have learned long ago that with the bigger decisions they’ll most likely get an answer like, “Let me think about it for a bit.”

To my delight, Elijah enjoys slapping flies as he knows they’ll get paid a penny a fly in the house. Where do they all come from, some weeks, such as this one, they seem to come in droves. When he finally had cut the fly population down he asked if he could open the door and shoo in some more. At least some answers are simple.

What about bringing a new colt into the house, or going camping in the chestnut grove by the ‘Indian trails’ they had made? Saying no can sometimes be a lazy way out for me … and then what makes memories? What is practical?

Last week one afternoon they were asking if they could go back in the center section of the chestnut grove spend the night among the young trees. I told them I’ll think about it for a bit. They were elated when I told them they can go and I’ll join them. I’m not a teenager anymore, but I too, enjoy spontaneous planning when it falls into place. (I smile as I write this, Daniel, being the steady type preferred to have time ahead to process his plans and get ready to enjoy it to the fullest. Amazing how we’re all made uniquely different, right?)

Julia and I started supper as we planned how we’re gonna do this and how soon we’d head back. We decided on eating the main course at the house and save the dessert of chopped strawberries and shortcake around the fire. It didn’t seem right to not have s’mores, but since we didn’t have any marshmallows in the pantry it felt more practical to simplify then to go fetch some at the store. Memories seem to thrive more on contentment then perfection, right?

After supper everyone agreed to help get ready and head out. The children loaded the barrel stuffed with blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows on the trailer. I pitched on some fire wood, and passed out baking soda (ugh, it’s not tasty, but if it keeps the ticks from biting, it’s worth it). The younger children got into their pj's to simplify things at camp.

Soon we were off. I took the tractor and small trailer with gear and a few children while one of the boys took the lawn mower with our little wagon tied behind it, loaded with more children and food.

Arriving at their designated camping spot in a back corner, everyone helped unload.

My favorite part was coming up. It’s a part that makes it feel like the responsibilities of parenting slip off my shoulders for a moment. I kicked back on my reclining camp chair and savored the moment. There was happy chatter around me, a fire being built by Austin, and a Bible on my lap, I absorbed the wonder of relaxation. The children romped over the field, chasing each other and sharing a snack. It seemed too good to relax by a fire for how simple it had been to get ready and go.

As night approached we had our shortcake and strawberries followed by story time, hashing memories of past years, and the likes.

An all time favorite around the fire is mountain pies made in pie irons. In times past I would also make them in a skillet for Daniel when we were not camping- just don’t do that too often so as not to ruin the novelty of enjoying them toasted over an open fire! Stay tuned next week for “part two” of this camping column!

PIZZA MOUNTAIN PIES

2 slices bread, buttered on one side

2 tablespoon pizza sauce

3 tablespoon shredded Mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons crumbled sausage

Pizza toppings of your choice (mushrooms, beef, pepperoni, peppers, etc.)

Place one slice of the bread, buttered side down, onto an over-the-fire sandwich iron.

Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the bread, then sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add additional pizza toppings of your choice.

Apply the other slice of bread, buttered side up, and clamp the sandwich iron closed.

Put the sandwich iron into the campfire and cook for about 2 ½ minutes on each side.

Carefully remove the mountain pie from the sandwich iron and serve.