Our second trip out this season was to the Homerville KOA. About 45 minutes west of Akron. For us, that is a perfect length of time for travel. This camping trip was more like a mini vacation. Brian drove us out Tuesday, set us up and left us to fend for ourselves! We had a lot of intermittent rain the first two days, but the nights were filled with some pretty terential thunderstorms. We all, surprisingly, slept soundly though.

We had several visitors out to hang with us. While Brian had to work and miss out on the first two days of fun, my aunt, cousin and mom all came out to keep us company. Later in the week our good friends Lori and Zack made a visit with their two little boys.

My mom and I took the kids to downtown Mansfeild, Ohio (http://www.downtownmansfield.com). It was about a 35 minute drive, but kept them occupied while the rain dried out. They had a cute children’s museum (http://www.littlebuckeye.org), carousal (http://www.richlandcarrousel.com) and quaint downtown area. We ate at a little diner (http://famousconeyisland.com) and I hit up a local coffee shop (http://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com) before heading back “home”.

 

 

To me, the picture below speaks volumes. It says relax, calm, peace, joy… also, they look like teenagers, which brings on tears! I recently downloaded some music for Levi and he loved laying on the bed, jamming out to his tunes.

 

 

On to the food!

Breakfast:

This idea was all my mom! We were all sitting around the fire cooking a “pudgy pie” with my aunts’ cast iron pie griller and brainstorming of different ways to use it. https://www.target.com/p/camp-chef-sandwich-cooker/-/A-12983404#lnk=sametab

Picture it… Butter, Bread, Cheese, Egg, Fire, Grill…. Amazing!

 

(P.S. I could not take a picture after I had cracked the egg, the yolk began to spill over the sides. I quickly closed the pie maker and placed it in the fire.)

Steps:

1. Butter each side of the pie maker very well.
2. Butter bread generously on each side that will be touching pie grill then place a slice on each side of the grill pan.
3. Lay a slice of desired cheese over each slice of bread (this gives a barrier so the bread doesn’t get soggy).
4. Press down on the middle of each slice of bread (to have a “bowl-like” effect to keep the egg in), crack one egg onto one side.
5. Close grill and place onto fire.
6. Cook each side for about 5-8 minutes.
7. ENJOY!!!!

THANKS MOM!!

Dinner:

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

These were amazing and have so many different options you can play with. This recipe is from Damn Delicious http://damndelicious.net/2015/08/26/shrimp-boil-foil-packets/. Her recipe was made with andouille sausage and 4 teaspoons of cajun seasoning. My husband is a big fan of spice, where I am more a mild flavored lady. I decided to add half andouille and half Italian sausage. I also only used 2 teaspoons of cajun seasoning. Next time, I will cut the andouille out all together and just try a more medium flavored sausage. Because, damn, that andouille is spicy!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 package of sausage, thinly sliced
• 2 ears of corn, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 lb baby red potatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
• salt and pepper, to taste
• parsley

Directions:

1. Get your fire started!
2. Cut four large sheets of foil.
3. Add all ingredients into large bowl, including seasoning, gently toss to coat.
4. Divide ingredients into foil, fold sides of foil, covering completely and sealing packets closed.
5. Place foil packets over grill. Cook for about 18 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Ben being Ben.

Levi being Levi.

The campground celebrated ‘Christmas in July’ the weekend we were there. They had Santa and Mrs. Claus make a special appearance.

Until our next adventure…