Sunday, April 28, 2013

Berry Picking

I am unfortunately a week late in posting our Saturday adventure. Yesterday was very rainy, and we simply didn't adventure like we have been. But a week ago, I experienced some fun southern traditions- berry hunting and picking.

Now,  in Utah where I am from, we have lots of berries. And, my mother and grandmother are very gifted at making jams, etc. But, I have never had the experience of hunting for berries an picking them myself! Ken grew up with this berry tradition, but this was a whole new ball game for me!


The Berry picking crew- Christina and I are picking,
 Colby and Anya are using their weapons to try to ward off the treacherous invaders


Christina, Ken's cousin, and my new bestie, has been talking about berry picking since I met her (about 6 weeks ago). She claims that to find the Dewberries (I had honestly never heard of them until I moved here), you have to scout the blooms on the vine-like raspberry-esc plants, weeks before the fruit becomes ripe, so that you can find them again. Otherwise, these yummy little berries will be lost forever.



Dewberrys grow on the ground, like raspberries and are black looking, much like blackberries. The are sweet when ripe, and tart when they haven't yet matured. They are smaller than blackberries like raspberries, but taste more like a blackberry. They come with danger, though, because where these yummy berries grow, there also tend to lurk snakes...

We were undeterred, though, because like all adventures, you must be brave and courageous to find our treasure! We came equipped with poles, bats, golf clubs and other things to warn the potential vermin of our invading (and we didn't see a single snake). I did come out with lots of little thorns in my fingers and more than a dozen misquito bites. Alas! The things we do for yumminess.

The final result! Yummy!








Sunday, April 14, 2013

Kemah Boardwalk

So, Ken and I decided that we are going to make the most of Houston! We can't be a good host/hostess for when you all visit if we don't know the lay of the land! Plus, we ought to have a little fun in our new home! So, we are going to dedicate Saturdays (as much a we can) to adventures and exploring Houston!



This week's installment is Kemah Boardwalk! Pronounced Kee-muh, this boardwalk is right on the mainland side of the bay. It took us about 20 minutes to drive there, and we just happened to go during the Crawfish Festival. It is a cute little midway or carnival style boardwalk, with an aquarium, shops, restaurants, a splash pad and rides/ games. Benjamin is too little to enjoy some of the fun, so we basically just explored, and another time we may indulge in some more of the activities.


Daddy and Benjamin on the splash pad


Catfish, Catfish and more catfish. This whole little place under the boardwalk was full of catfish. 
They even have little food dispensers to feed them.


Sailboats!


LOL. Had to take the pic.



Ever had crawfish? Me neither until yesterday. They were yummy! 
(who knows if we were eating them right?!?)




Benjamin and Daddy being dunces! So cute!


All in all, we had a blast! 

Saturday, April 13, 2013

A little Texas for me...

We're here! We have arrived in our new home. It's been a very busy week. Let me hit the highlights...

- Benjamin learned to push himself up to standing
- Ken, my dad and two of my brothers: Nicholas and Jonathan drove the moving truck and our two cars from Salt Lake to Houston
- Benjamin and I flew down (by ourselves) to Houston
- Our family greeted us with open arms here
- Got introduced to one of the best parts of Houston (and Texas in general, as I understand)-THE FOOD!
- Ken randomly (or not so randomly) ran into the Stake Relief Society President
- The Elders visited
- Benjamin started to walk
- We bought a few new items to help us settle in- a TV, and a new dresser
- I got a pedicure, and an eyebrow wax
- I saw a darling school play- and Anya was great (Ken's cousin's daughter)

Needless to say, we are getting acclimated here. Ken and I keep saying to ourselves that it sort of feels like we are on vacation. But, we'll get used to it soon, I'm sure!