Yesterday we were out of the house before 10 am to check out Kuiper’s Family Farm. We take the kids apple picking every year, but we usually go to Jonamac Orchard. We wanted to scope this other place out before deciding to change our tradition. On the way there this guy completely cut us off and almost hit us. Joe was so mad that when we ended up at the next light, he gave the guy a severe beating. No, just kidding. He did roll down the window and yell at him, though (he had moved back into the other lane after he passed the person he almost hit us trying to get around). I haven’t seen Joe that mad in a long time! You could tell the guy was scared because he had this nervous grin and said he was sorry. To Joe’s credit, he didn’t call the guy any names, just explained he needs to turn his head and look before just moving over. Hopefully the whole experience taught the guy to be more careful in the future because he could really hurt someone with his shitty driving.
Anyway, the farm was ok. It’s much bigger and spread out than the place we usually visit, but it’s more expensive and crowded too. We spent less time there than it took to drive back and forth. They have a huge bakery and store on premise so Joe got some coffee and donuts. While he was doing that I used the restroom. And the only reason I am telling you this is because I cannot believe how ignorant some people are. When I got into the restroom I had to wait because all the stalls were occupied. I happened to notice that the faucets on one of the two sinks was on and the sink was filling up, so I walked over and shut it off. When a stall opened up, I went inside and did my business. When I came out, the same sink was running and filling up once again! So I went over and shut it off. WTF? The handles are the kind you pull toward you to turn on and push back to shut off, so I don’t think on a difficulty scale of 1-10 it was above a 1, yet both the hot and cold water were on full blast. Are people that lazy? Somehow I doubt people leave their sinks running at home so I really don’t get it.
After I met up with Joe again we decided to get some homemade caramel apples and this yummy looking brownie mix. I’m really looking forward to trying it; I just I hope it’s worth the $5.50 we paid. It’s gourmet, so it has to be, right? ;)
The way to the farm takes you through downtown St. Charles so on the way back we stopped to check out a beading store I had found online called Spill The Beads. It was really cute and I bought a couple of mixed bead sets I plan on using to make bracelets. Overall I found their prices a little high, but the selection is superb and if you prefer buying only the exact amount of beads you need, it’s better than going to a craft store. I might go back next weekend for World Bead Day since everything is 30% off and I was thinking about getting a beading instructional book.
The store is located a block or two from the Fox River, so we hung out there for a bit taking pictures, then started walking along the path. These two ducks kept following me, no doubt thinking I had food. Too bad I didn’t. We discovered a huge park past the bridge where they have a ton of picnic tables. It’s a really cute area that I’d like to visit again, this time with bread for the duckies! Also, I just found out while researching the area for this post that there’s a minature golf course at the park. Cool beans!
I can’t remember what we did after that. Oh yea, we checked out a new taco joint for lunch. It was really cute and inexpensive but I wasn’t impressed with the quality of their steak, so we’ll probably just stick to our regular place.
We took advantage of the nice weather by going out back to play catch for a bit. Joe was teaching me the proper way to throw a baseball. I’m not exactly what you call athletic, or coordinated, but I used to play catch with my dad all the time because the older of my brothers was never into sports and my youngest brother was born ten years after my dad lost interest in any sort of father/child bonding experiences. It’s kinda funny when you think about it: I was the one my dad took fishing, to Sox games, played games with, etc. My brother preferred to be inside playing video games. He hasn’t changed a whole lot, either. Except now it’s the internet.