Over 2 years ago, during Covid, Bryce started a project that we both thought was a great idea but clearly had no idea what we would be getting ourselves into! That project is finally finished and Bryce can breathe a sigh of relief. It all starts with an outdoor hearth...
We never really used it as a grill or fireplace and many stones were loose, mortar missing and the terra cotta chimney lining was breaking up. Bryce would use it to burn twigs and scrap wood and it did see some use the first few times we made maple syrup! While that worked okay, it was awkward and far from ideal. Still, it was a really interesting structure and clearly made by hand from local stone.
During lockdown, Bryce had the idea to convert the fireplace to a pizza oven! We loved the idea of using the stone again and using the base of the fireplace. So Bryce, with absolutely no masonry skills, began taking the fireplace apart in order to build it back up!
Clearly, this was a much bigger project than either of us imagined as he has worked on this oven on and off for over 2 years! There have been large chunks of time where nothing has happened due to weather, his consulting work or just being busy with other parts of the farm. But this summer he dedicated his time to complete it so that he could move on to other things!
I miss the days of birthday parties. Harris barely wanted to celebrate his birthday, much less have a party! While I was bemoaning the fact that we no longer have birthday parties, Harris mentioned that his favorite parties were always his own and that he loved them, so I guess I will hold on to that! However, one tradition I have refused to let go of is making a birthday cake. This very well may be the last cake I make for a while as next year he is likely to be off at college instead of at home to celebrate.
I made a stout cake with Bailey's buttercream icing (perhaps more appropriate for a 21st birthday?). I wanted a pretty cake but one that was masculine at the same time and I think this one fit the bill. I love the subtle ombre of the icing. Harris really didn't want us singing "happy birthday" to him but we did anyway!
The teen years have been a roller coaster ride for sure but especially the past 2 1/2 months. I don't want to over sell it but since Harris broke his jaw, there has been a noticeable difference in him. We've pondered weather it's the girlfriend, the ramifications of a broken jaw, or just getting older but it's been interesting to watch. He seems more open and engaging, more confident in who he is and a little more at ease moving through the world. I'm not in any way intimating that he's fully mature and ready for the world at large but we are making good progress! We think he's great and are excited to watch as he continues to move into the world as an adult (he says he peaked in elementary school but I'm pretty sure that's not true :)).
1. He has been dating Claire since the summer and we are impressed with him as a boyfriend. From our view, he seems to be thoughtful and drama free (as is she).
2. He continues to do a deep dive into subjects that appeal to him. This year it has been chess (again) and coding. He's also been very interested in learning more about investing. His college essay is about this tendency of his to get obsessed with a subject. Over the years it's been magic, trampolining, card tricks, chess, and Minecraft, to name a few.
3. Also, for a supplemental essay, he wrote about his hair. You know that I love his hair so that has delighted me to no end.
4. He loves to laugh and to that end loves comedies. His favorites are Psych, Modern Family and The Office.
5. He seems to be a one or two close friends sort of guy. He seems to get along with most everyone but he doesn't have a large crowd he hangs out with on a regular basis. He much prefers small groups to large gatherings.
6. He does not like attention, at all. Ever since he was little he would go away by himself if he got hurt, he doesn't want a big deal made of his birthday, and he will almost always shift conversation away from anything about him.
7. He never stops moving, ever.
8. He never hangs on to bad/angry feelings. He will literally be upset at us and five minutes later be hanging out chatting with us as if nothing happened. We love that about him.
9. He wears the same thing to school every single day. While his school doesn't have a uniform, they do have a dress code (there is definitely room for individuality) but he really likes having to not think about clothes.
10. Hi favorite unhealthy snack is purple Doritos, he's still allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, his room is almost always a mess, even though he is not a picky eater when out at restaurants he almost exclusively orders a burger, he drinks his coffee iced and black, and he still adores his dog.
This weekend my family came over for a BYOP pumpkin carving gathering. We were lucky that we had beautiful weather so were able to do most everything outside!
We had snacks and cider while we carved. The gooey, cheesy brie pumpkin was the hit of the board. It is brie atop apple butter and wrapped in puff pastry that is tied with string to look like a pumpkin. Cooked for 20 minutes, it comes out of the oven deliciously melted!
I foraged foliage and a few flowers from around the yard and while not perfect, I think they came out lovely.
I also made my first shaped sourdough. I would have liked the pumpkin to be a bit taller but overall I was happy with it. It went well with the chili we had for dinner.
For dessert, we had a pumpkin spice cake with maple buttercream. Atop the cake sat a pumpkin patch of fondant pumpkins.
The pumpkins all turned out darling. Of course, I particularly like the frog!
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