• Tuesday-What'sUP July 22 - 09:33 pm

Remember when you were a kid and you'd get back to school in September? One of the first assignments would be to write a story about what you did over summer vacation. Today's trio of photos are some of the many things that youngsters here in the Keweenaw will be able to write about this year. Brita Haapala's kids kept busy picking rhubarb, so that they could keep Mom busy making pies and jams. Now they'll be able to write about enjoying the fruits of their labors.

In the next photo, Chris Gariepy snapped a shot of his son near Fort Wilkins, while they were touring around in the Copper Harbor area checking out the rivers and falls. This smiling 6 year old will be writing about the rocks he threw in the river and the special stuffed doggie he bought at the gift store.

The last shot is from Jeffrey Alaska, who got in on the summer fun himself, floating around on an inner tube with his daughter. She looks a bit young to have to write a story about what she did on her vacation, but maybe she'll have "show and tell" time and get up in front of her class to talk about splashing Daddy. :-> Simple pleasures, laughter and smiles, it's what summer is all about!

Great pics!

Great summer shots!! I can just taste that pie right now. I've been having a bit of a sweet tooth as of late, and any kind of fruit pie gets my mouth watering. Have fun Brita.

Donna,
Could you please forward belated birthday greetings to our favorite ReMax agent in Colorado for me!

Thanks !
Laure

A bunch of cute kids. We had some good Strawberry Rhubarb squares the other day too.

Just a week ago my kids asked about rhubarb, and I tried to describe the sharp/sweet flavor of Grandma's rhubarb pie. What a summer memory!

Brita, that's one of the most all-American photos I've seen in months. Thanks!

Dunerat...sharp, sweet taste describes to a "t" what rhubarb tastes like. My favorite, and a rhubarb pudding with a touch of whipping cream on top can't be beat! Huzzah! Wonderful pics conjuring up wonderful memories.

Great sunset shot in the harbor the other day, you sure have an eye that goes along with the camera.
My rhubarb crop this year yielded some stalks up to 1-1/2". You can never water this crop too much, remember all the rain we had?

Mom used to make an "easy bake" rhubard dessert. I'm probably missing some details, but it was some sort of crumbly crust (graham cracker, maybe?), an envelope of strawberry jelly, and the rhubarb. I'm sure sugar and other ingredients were involved, but it was a really simple recipe, and quite tasty for something that easy to make.

...I never thought of rhubarb as 'sweet'...not without the strawberries, anyway...

Cute kids.

Brita you have the classic "Finn" looking kids.
So cute. My Grandmas maiden name was Haapala, any relation? I know she was born in Herman and went to school in L'Anse. Her name was Martha Wiard after she got married.

Brita, what a great shot! I love to watch your kids grow up through your "eye." I see Eskoka and Happala faces there... :)

As for rhubarb, try finding it here in California! It's too hot to grow well. There is one grocery store that gets it in occasionally and I grab it all when they do! Even thawed out frozen rhubarb makes a dandy pie.

Rhubarb? Eww, yuck!

I never could get into that nasty stringy stuff, and adding strawberries didn't help that much. A better way to make strawberry rhubarb pie: just omit the rhubarb, please!

Or could it be that I never experienced rhubarb "done right"?

Strawberry-rhubarb homemade freezer jam....I'm dreaming of that delicious taste. Yummmmm...on homemade (or at least home baked) bread still warm from the oven....

Mr. E. Neil Harri- are you for hire? Just kiddin, but Iam jealous, seeing the Keweenaw from the air, it probably doesn't get any better than that!

Sorry, meant to put that on What's up page.

Thanks for the compliments. You people made my day. I don't think my husband's family would be related to any L'anse Haapala's. ~Brita

My Granny made Rhubarb everything, pies, tarts, all so very sweet and crusty, and then to eat it as sauce. It has been so long ago, I can't taste it. I find a pie in stores now and then, but then they go and ruin it with strawberries in it.

ICK I am not one for rhubarb myself. My dad likes it but nobody else in the house will touch it. We used to grow it years ago in our yard and my mom would make pie from it but I could never get into the taste of it. So I agree with Frnash on this one.