Down on the Farm

We spent almost a full week up at Mops and Pops' house last week getting ready for the wedding of a good family friend. Mom had a meeting one morning, so I jumped at the opportunity to steal the grandgirls away and visit my friend Allison and her three children out on their family farm. I've known Allison since I was in middle school, and growing up, I always looked up to her. Now that we have children of our own, she is an encouragement to me from afar. Thanks to Facebook, we've had a fun chance to reconnect!

We had a wonderful time catching up, and the kids absolutely loved playing together. Allison's three are simply delightful, and Phoebe fit right in. (Nora attempted to snooze through the bulk of our visit.) Phoebe is such a little country girl at heart! The Lord knows our desires... Although Phoebs was a little disappointed that she wasn't going to be able to ride a dog or a cat (too much Clifford?), she was delighted to spend some time with some real live animals. After Nora settled down for her nap, we walked over to see a few of the animals they had nearby. Phoebe was absolutely thrilled to get to touch a real live donkey! We were also delighted to meet their horses and a few dogs. The cows were content to be cows in their distant pasture, and since Nora was asleep, we decided to stay close by the house rather than venture out to see them.

And can I just say that there is nothing like country fun? In the same area where the horses and donkeys were, there was a small "mountain" of gravel. The kids had a blast climbing up... and sliding down. Phoebe wasted no time in joining in the fun!

Allison had said we should stay for lunch... so we did! What I didn't realize is what a treat we would be having! Allison had prepared some of the Pioneer Woman's shrimp pasta... y'all, your life will change. I came home and told my mom I wanted to eat it for dinner. And for lunch again tomorrow. Maybe even breakfast. If you do not live with someone who is allergic to shellfish, make this pasta. (By the way... shrimp is on sale this week at Publix...)

Phoebe was so disappointed to learn that we would not indeed be heading back to the farm the next morning. In fact, she asks regularly to go to the farm! We're hoping to make a return trip when husbands can meet and hang out...or when those veggies start growing in Allison's back garden, whichever comes first! (Allison, if you notice some corn and watermelon missing...)