Simple Pleasures

 Weekend adventures are my favorite kind and this weekend, we had the opportunity to spend a surprise day trip on my Uncle’s blueberry farm in Breedsville, Michigan. The weather partially cooperated and our family had a wonderful time enjoying the simple pleasures of this life.

The House 

I remember when it didn’t have central air conditioning and our family would travel for part of the weekend to escape the sweat. Also, the site of David & Marisa’s engagement, so a special location to say the least.

This list always reminds me of the fun we have had and planned to have in the future. We knocked off almost everything while we visited and we nailed #8.

Little touches make you feel right at home and make you feel like you could stay there forever.

The weather wasn’t quite cooperating when we arrived, but we took in some views from the porch and waited for the rain to pass.

And check out this guy – wasn’t my dad the CUTEST?!

We set up everything to go fishing in the pond – which didn’t go quite as planned.

So they ran back to the barn and improvised…

No fish in that puddle though…

We opted to explore the barn, which included this old blueberry conveyor belt (we slid ours down there later on and picked out all the stems!)

Playing around on some of the equipment…oh, James…

Still cloudy!

This guy.

While we waited for the rain to pass, we ended up taking a tour at the factory where they process the blueberries and made a stop at True Blue Farms and Country Store.

We also got up and ready for the factory tour – looking as adorable as ever in our hairnets (and yes, my boys kept theirs and yes, Jack slept in his all night).

The tour was very informative and fun, except for when David and Jonathan almost got locked in the freezer after the doors started to close on them…

Lunch at Stokes Homestead Farm Market  meant a visit to a general store, a little family style dining room, and fueling up for an afternoon outside because the sun came out!

And it was HOT. And SWEATY.

But it was FISHING TIME! (By the way, worms are gross, I am basically terrible at fishing, but I DID catch this fish by myself with this Minnie Mouse fishing.)

And here’s Ethan’s capture!

Jack wore that blasted hairnet all day long, but he also caught a fish!

And then Charlie showed up with this big poppa! He caught a little fish that then helped him catch this one (with daddy’s help). He could have stayed out there all day long – he said it was the highlight of his day!

Let’s not forget the blueberries! The boys picked about four pounds of deliciousness!

Being there brought back lots of memories – weekends spent running around, picking blueberries, and spending time just enjoying the outdoors – which I’ve determined we need to do so much more. Everyone got dirty and sweaty and hot, but we laughed and made memories and spent time just enjoying the simple pleasures of farm life. Everyone seemed to have the time of their life.

And relishing our time spent as a family.

We made one last stop to where my grandparents were laid to rest – Richard and Mollie. Love the shadows that she captured – a reflection of the lives that they were so integral in starting all those years ago and what a legacy they’ve left.

We then started our adventure home – exhausted bodies and full hearts.

Thanks, cousin Sheri, for inviting us to have adventures up there! A full exhausting day that I know we won’t soon forget.

What are your favorite simple pleasures to enjoy?