Saying goodbye to summer

It's been awhile since I last posted to The Remnant Writer. The summer is slipping by us too quickly, and sometimes change just happens too fast. In the recent weeks we have seen our good friend Justin leave for a 10 month stay in Uganda, and my brother Tyler for a two year program at Lund University in Sweden. Justin is doing research at a hospital in Kampala, and Tyler started a Masters program in Environmental Science and Sustainability. We are extremely excited for their opportunities and adventures overseas, but will surely miss them.

Justin leaving for Kampala, Uganda


Tyler (middle) on the day he left for Lund, Sweden with our Grandma Strom and I.

In other news, we've identified several prairie plants in the restoration project. So far, we have positively identified Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, Side-Oats Grama, Partridge Pea, and Sweet Black-eyed Susan. Interestingly, we didn't plant Partridge Pea, but we found two separate plants growing in one of the restored areas. According to the book Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas by Dick Young, this is a rare plant and was last found in Kane Co. west of St. Charles. We will certainly keep a watch on this interesting plant. Each of these have bloomed and are producing seed. Some of the Big Bluestem is already 4 ft tall!


Kim with Big Bluestem


Indian Grass


Side-Oats Grama


Partridge Pea


Kim walking through the prairie

The end of the summer is a great time for harvesting all those vegetables in the garden, and Bur Oak acorns which we gathered over Labor Day Weekend. Can't wait to blend the acorns into our pancake mix.


Home grown veggies and acorns.