tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883422152274554282024-03-13T05:34:24.332-07:00Aria GardensSing a song and garden to your soul's contentment. Bring in the bounty and put it in happy little glass jars!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-7994768353312888072012-09-09T22:54:00.000-07:002012-09-09T23:09:30.370-07:00What's all the Excitement About?<div style="text-align: center;">
KINDERGARTENERS ARE EXCITED </div>
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Before school starts </div>
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KINDERGARTEN PARTY</div>
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Class of 2026</div>
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They had their very own table, the rest of their siblings had to sit at another table. </div>
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Mr & Mrs. B. hosted a perfect summertime party...bbq'd hamburgers and hotdogs, all the fixings, beans, chips, and of course, homemade ice cream!</div>
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Playing in the host's very special playhouse</div>
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Cupcakes for all!</div>
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The night before her big day</div>
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Can you say sparkly eyes? </div>
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Going out to the All School Assembly<br />
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With the Seniors behind them <br />
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2ND GRADERS ARE EXCITED</div>
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4TH GRADERS ARE EXCITED</div>
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TEACHERS ARE EXCITED</div>
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<a href="http://studentofthemaster.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss K.</a> is Aaron's new Teacher. She is also a dear friend. Both of her parents are my father's first cousin, so we share a lot of cousins. She even occasionally reminds me of my great aunts =) But our closest connection is that she used to come babysit for me when I worked a little in David's office. She is even best friends with another of my former babysitter/friends/cousin on my mom's side. I love them both and I think this is my only picture of both of them. Well maybe not, we've had some crazy bake cookie parties over the years =) Love you guys! </div>
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PARENTS ARE EXCITED</div>
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no picture, sorry. Parents know that schedules are good. We are so thankful that our little school is an option for us here in CA. It is easy to take it for granted. Did you know that my husband was the first graduate there? He was the single 8th grade graduate the 2nd year out. I graduated from there, taught there, and am now in my 5th year as a parent. All but 9 yrs of my life have included this school. To God be the Glory. To the teachers, we pray daily that God would give you patience and wisdom. <br />
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No, Stephen didn't think too highly of it. Day 2, he fussed and did NOT want me to get him out of his carseat after we came home from dropping the children off at school (pushed my hand away from the buckle =). Did he think maybe we were heading right back to get them? He's adjusting well, plays by himself rather happily, stands at the window watching things for a long time and is always always cheered up by the offer of a laundry basket and our work together song...sung to the tune of "When we all get together"</div>
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When we all work together, </div>
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work together, work together</div>
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When we all work together, </div>
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How happy we'll be</div>
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When your work is my work</div>
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And our work is God's work</div>
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When we all work together,</div>
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How happy we'll be. </div>
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Together we carry the empty or full laundry baskets to their appropriate destination (we have a long hall) and he smiles the whole way! Try it with your toddler today =)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-76602274023031224452012-09-01T16:37:00.000-07:002012-09-01T16:37:57.559-07:00Camping from a Month Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, a slew of camping photos, I post them here mostly as a story line for myself, knowing also that a few of you are actually interested. The 1st night I spent at least an hour listening to the sounds of nearby campsites repelling bears. THANKFULLY, the bears did NOT think our campsite as appealing as we did! </div>
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Can you guess WHY we have a canner with this label? =)</div>
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Smore cones are tops!</div>
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for some reason this makes me laugh =)</div>
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All better?</div>
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Games with Grandma Irene</div>
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I'm a sucker for nature photos...someday, a slr will hopefully sling around my neck and it can do justice to the beautiful color/light. </div>
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The downtime of camping is truly a blessing</div>
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Baby blues in the water</div>
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Their logs were thier canoes</div>
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Bear River Resevoir</div>
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Boo.</div>
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One of J's many many many many self portraits. He's not as camera shy as his mom.</div>
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A. Sharon rented a motor boat so we could explore the lake. Shockingly, the children were excited;)<br />
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The water line</div>
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The campfire starting pro is passing on his tricks.</div>
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WE PLAN TO GO BACK!</div>
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A tight swing to a different photo completely. This cracked me up for some reason. =) </div>
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Mr. Discovery...what the toddler years are all about.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-60324534441018186032012-08-18T22:45:00.002-07:002012-08-18T22:45:13.396-07:00 Red Pepper Apricot ChutneyWhat is a chutney? A clutz who goes down a chimney? hehe...I think it is a funny word too. <br />
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I quote from one of my favorite canning cookbooks called <em>The Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving</em> by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard, "Whereas salsas have a light and fresh, lively taste, chutneys have a rich, smooth, mellow, sweet-sour taste. They are the perfect accompaniment to spicy an strong-flavored foods."</div>
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This cookbook has such a wonderful range of recipes; both the basics and the unusual ~ like this one, featuring, </div>
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Red Peppers</div>
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Apricots </div>
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Onion</div>
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Apple</div>
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Golden Raisens</div>
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Candied or crystallized Ginger</div>
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How could it NOT by good? Oh, and I had to buy mace for it. Add cinnamona and a touch of cayenne...and boy howdy, there is a reason I'm keeping these =) I can't wait for the flavors to meld completely so I can put it over a roast chicken or pork loin. </div>
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The cookbook pairs it with pork curries, duck, poultry, or lamb. </div>
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Or in a Cheddar Cheese Sandwich.</div>
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Or on top of cream cheese and toast.</div>
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This is one of the options for the savory givaway...perhaps you are now persuaded to enter the drawing by purchasing a jar of jam....or by sharing the sale photos on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347" target="_blank">Aria Gardens facebook site</a></div>
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If you are new there, "like" the page and enjoy updates on my canning adventures. The drawing ends the end of August.</div>
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Drumroll....thought question....brace yourself!<br />
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Have you ever thought that an onion is a thing of beauty?<br />
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The onion I showed a picture of (above) was actually a botanical marvel in my eyes. It was 4 onions grown into one. I couldn't get a good shot/cut of the onion to show all four corners of it, but it intrigued me with it's swirls of purple and white symetrically juxtapositioned together. The first shot shows one "corner" of the onion. The second one, while dirty, shows all 4 "roots" <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-9664515846363174462012-08-14T06:00:00.000-07:002012-08-14T21:01:09.350-07:00 Sale + Giveaway + Recipe option<div align="center">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t7tos42Vws/UCk2i6nz0-I/AAAAAAAAErM/f5SkPR9_hpI/s1600/IMG_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t7tos42Vws/UCk2i6nz0-I/AAAAAAAAErM/f5SkPR9_hpI/s320/IMG_0618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Back to School Jam Sale</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES</span></div>
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Peanut Butter and <span style="color: orange;">Peach Pluot</span> Jam</div>
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Peanut Butter and <span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><strong>Berry Cherry</strong></span> Jam</div>
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Peanut Butter and <span style="color: #cc0000;">Apricot Pepper</span> Jelly</div>
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And for Mom?</div>
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Cream Cheese and <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cherry Apricot</span> Preserves</strong></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Apricot Pluot</span> and Grilled Cheese <br />
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Jars are $6 for 16 oz</div>
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$4 for 8 oz</div>
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50c off if you trade me an empty jar</div>
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Message me on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347" target="_blank">Aria Gardens facebook page</a> to order today</div>
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SALE RUNS THROUGH the end of August 2012</div>
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I have 4-5 jars of the pluot jams available, but only 1 of the Apricot Pepper Jelly, and only 2 of Cherry Apricot Preserves. The Chutney, I'm keeping, except if you WIN =) I also have 1 jar of BLUE BOY jam available and 2 jars of BERRY CHERRY. </div>
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Giveaway - you can choose one of my Savory Creations if you win. </div>
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Enter to win by sharing my photos on fb and/or buy purchasing a jar of my limited edition of jam.</div>
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Go <a href="http://ariagardens.blogspot.com/2011/09/jamming-with-pluots.html" target="_blank">here to last years post about Pluot Jam</a></div>
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Thought question: do you freeze sandwiches ahead for lunches? If so, which kind? Have a great day and let me know if you ever want a recipe, I'm not stingy about them, just don't enjoy typing them out!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-82356798947503423112012-08-13T10:54:00.001-07:002012-08-13T10:54:03.853-07:00Apricot Cherry Preserves + Encouragement Story<br />
Warning.....you will be requested to answer a thought question...if you don't want to, don't read on =)<br />
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What, you may ask, is a preserve? I quote one of my favorite cookbooks, <em>175 Favorite Jams, Jellies, Marmalades, and Other Soft Spreads</em> by Linda Amendt on page 178. "Preserves are made with large, uniform pieces of fruit or with small whole fruits. The cooked fruit holds its shape, and the fruit pieces are evenly distributed in the jar ans suspended in a soft jelly or very thick syrup. during the cooking process, disolved sugar penetrates the fruit cells, giving the fruit pieces a luminous, semi-transparant appearance.<br />
"The crown jewel of soft spreads, perfect preserves contain brightly colored, translucent fruit with intense flavor....When it comes to elegence, preserves are hard to beat!" <br />
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You can faintly see the apricot halves on the bottom right of the jar.</div>
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Summarizing the way you get fruit to "float" in preserves. Linda says to do the following.<br />
1,Set a portion of the sugar and the fruit aside to stand for a period of time before the preserve is cooked.<br />
2. Slowly heating the fruit and sugar allows the sugar time to completely dissolve, thereby replaced some of the air in the fruit with sugar. Tada - heavy fruit that sinks in the jelly. <br />
3. Let the preserve sit 5 min. after removing from the heat, gently stirring every now and then. The fruit continues to cook a bit and fully absorb the syrup. <br />
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So there you go, a little explanation of the deliciousness canned last week. There is a limited # of jars for sale. Contact me on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347" target="_blank">facebook jam page</a> to order and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BY SHARING THE POST. You also recieve and entry upon purchase. I am EXTENDING the "Back to School" sale until the end of August. <br />
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Now last week I asked some canning questions, and out of 41 pageviews (Iknow, this is a limited audience blog) only 2 people answered. For you active bloggers out there, am I expecting too much?<br />
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That being said, THANK YOU to you who did respond. Danita - I'm thinking about doing a Marinara (Spaghetti Sauce) post sometime. I have 2 recipes I like, and one is quite handy b/c you do NOT have to skin the tomatoes first. <br />
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Some people have the ability to encourage others. The 2 "posters" on my last post certainly did! One of them called me and left a message letting me know that I was in her thoughts that day. Little did she know that I was having one of those very bad-no good-horrible days and that message brought tears to my eyes just to know someone cared. We all know with our head on those days that people care, but I'm usually to proud or protective of those around me to let others know how bad it is. <br />
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The other person I have not had personal contact with in almost 10 years. We had dinner together when we were out of state. She found my blog, and answered a thought question from earlier this summer with beautiful postcard showing me how they had painted a rock with a verse I had posted while camping with their children. It made my day! What a gift a personal note is. <br />
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So here is today's thought question. And YOU are requested to answer....why? Because positive examples encourage others to do the same. Isn't that what we want our world to include? People who are givers and not takers! <br />
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<strong>When was the last time someone unexpectedly encouraged you?</strong></div>
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<strong>Thank you for sharing and encouraging. </strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-23221262705053437952012-08-06T01:30:00.001-07:002012-08-06T08:21:41.169-07:00Chili Pepper Apricot Jelly ~ Zingy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv1p86boKCY/UAJFrtiDILI/AAAAAAAACKU/aJhrSgi1LTs/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv1p86boKCY/UAJFrtiDILI/AAAAAAAACKU/aJhrSgi1LTs/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A friend and I got apricots...me from the Fruit yard, and she from her Grandpa's Tree. After canning a mulitude of the sweet little things, I whipped up a dream of a jam I've been wanting to make all spring. Sunrise Jam is a wonderful blend of strawberries, apricots, and pinapple. (tip for newbies, never use fresh pinapple, it will prevent set) I'm not sure if I have any left to sell, you can see on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347" target="_blank">Aria Gardens facebook page</a>. Like me there and you can get small batch shout outs!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POlMwZZjw8M/UAJGr68bkDI/AAAAAAAACOU/4iF1EHjSGJI/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POlMwZZjw8M/UAJGr68bkDI/AAAAAAAACOU/4iF1EHjSGJI/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chili Chopping - yes, I used frozen chilis - which would make you laugh if you know the current state of our outrageously abundant pepper crop. Seriously, if you are local and need peppers, just call!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
I found a semi-slow moment and went to work finding a recipe. Here is the goofy part. We live in the fertile Great Central Valley of California. The valley is roughly the size of the state of Isreal. (ok, taking teacher hat off) We are used to FRESH fruit. Dried fruit is ok, but fresh? Well, no doubt that fresh is best best Best! So, every recipe I found for Apricot Pepper Jelly in my books and online....yes EVERY one called for dried apricots. Bother! So I decided to take a swing at improvising jelly, and going off of hints from a friend as well as advice on some gardening email loop somewhere I just made apricot jelly and added a cup of chopped peppers to the final product.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YXyolmicco/UAJG68Np4BI/AAAAAAAACPU/oPeioG9DaTs/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YXyolmicco/UAJG68Np4BI/AAAAAAAACPU/oPeioG9DaTs/s320/IMG_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apricots make my yellow sink look pretty ;)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXkdAmJq8nU/UAJG5l8E20I/AAAAAAAACPM/3mOTX7wt-iA/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXkdAmJq8nU/UAJG5l8E20I/AAAAAAAACPM/3mOTX7wt-iA/s320/IMG_0399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Simmering the apricots</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9GFlY2rusM/UAJG3qruHMI/AAAAAAAACPE/lwWzfop_h7U/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9GFlY2rusM/UAJG3qruHMI/AAAAAAAACPE/lwWzfop_h7U/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Straining the juice. It is definately time for me to get a bigger strainer!</div><br />
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</div> Added the pepper and skimmed the foam off. Sadly, I did "catch" a few pepper bits amongst the foam. Foam isn't bad, it just makes the jam less sparkly clear. I usually add a bit of butter to each recipe to make reduce foaming. This just had a bit extra. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Ohhh is it good!</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em> It would pair fabulously with cream cheese for a cracker spread.</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em> It would elevate </em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>a lunch box pb&j </em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>to the gourmet.</em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcPKMrWcOBQ/UAJGwKjnnEI/AAAAAAAACOk/l09sWo1mudg/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcPKMrWcOBQ/UAJGwKjnnEI/AAAAAAAACOk/l09sWo1mudg/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I read that sugar reduces the heat. I would agree. This jam will not burn your socks off. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward a few weeks, and my little tree bore fruit. I made a couple of frozen pie fillings with those. For those of you with the Seasoned with Love cookbook, I use the Apricot Pie Filling under the Misc. category. It is simplicity itself. If you don't have that cookbook and are wishing for one, contact my talented friend Carolyn over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/GiftOfSimplicity" target="_blank">Gift of Simplicity - wonderful food blog</a>. Always feel free to ask me for specific recipes, I'm really not secretive about them. I just am not a recipe blogger. Strange, but true. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dDIbPSTv0U/UAJF5adHxUI/AAAAAAAACLk/sHiUukeZ3cA/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dDIbPSTv0U/UAJF5adHxUI/AAAAAAAACLk/sHiUukeZ3cA/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Drumrolll.......and change of subject. The picture above is my segue. </div><br />
I was out weeding in the zinnias with these helpers. I think Stephen was getting fussy, actually, I know, he was put out because he couldn't be out with David. Sweet Sarah went and got him a chair to sit in. <br />
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Now the pretty shots....I'm so thankful for these delightful zinnias. Maybe in a few years I'll tell you why. How's that for cryptic =)<br />
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They make a fabulous set of bouquets for a Birthday girl, my daughter, our kitchen table, jam backdrops....<br />
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Foodie question for you canners.<br />
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What is the one thing you will never not can (if you can help it)<br />
What is something you dream of concocting to can?<br />
What is the best thing you've canned so far? <br />
Please answer any/all that apply!!!! =) Thank you for visiting. I will say that it has been a few comments about enjoying this that keeps me at it. It's quite tempting to quit and everytime I think I'm going to, something gets said. So Gracias! Have a wonderful week. And yes, there is more to come, always more. When I squeeze it in. Off to the laundry room...cherrio!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-70805810061442235582012-06-11T13:30:00.000-07:002012-06-14T00:27:34.834-07:00Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?<div style="text-align: center;">
Cherry Pie Filling</div>
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Of course you can always "simply" make a Cherry Pie</div>
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or </div>
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you can go a little further and make simply delicious </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cream Cheese Cherry Pie</span></strong></div>
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<li> Cream Cheese Filling</li>
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<li>3 oz Cream Cheese</li>
<li>1/2 c. Powdered Sugar</li>
<li>1 c. whipping cream</li>
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Step 1. Whip cream until it forms soft peaks<br />
Step 2. Mix the sugar and cream cheese - a hand mixer works well<br />
Step 3. Fold the sugar/cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream. If you do not know what fold means, look it up =)<br />
Step 4. Put the final mix into a baked crust and add the Cherry Pie filling on top. <br />
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Side note - Although I like the challenge of making a good pie crust (and have had some embarrassing failures); I use refridgerated <a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/products/pie/refrigerated-pie-crust" target="_blank">boughten pie crust</a> on occasion. My aunt who is quite the fabulous pie baker reccommended it...and boy howdy is it handy! =) Yes, my favorite recipe is that of my mother's in the Seasoned with Love cookbook. Makes plenty of crumbs to have around in the freezer for that sudden pie inspiration. I feel like I have sooo much to learn in the area of pie crust finesse. Another great pie baker in our family probably prefers to remain anonymous on this topic, but she keep Krusteaz Pie Dough Mix in her pantry. She gave me some and it works very well.<br />
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But I will give 3 little tips.<br />
1. Refridgerate your dough slab before rolling it out...20 min or so...but not ad infinitim. <br />
2. Use Ice cold water when mixing the dough. <br />
3. The <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=363&catId=122&parentCatId=122&outletSubCat=" target="_blank">Baker's Roller from Pampered Chef</a> works very well in repairing edge separations before you put the dough in the pie pan. You can even use it on the dough once it is inside the pie pan. Happy Pie Making!<br />
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Pie filling in jars ready to be Canned</div>
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I used Martha Cover's recipe in the Seasoned with Love Cookbook.</div>
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Water bath time</div>
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I always find it interesting how the color of the pie filling changes post water bath. When they first come out, the cherries are brightly colored distinct globes. The clear jel has not yet taken on the cherry color. </div>
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And now</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Di_UNT2zQ/T9MFqeqKOXI/AAAAAAAACG4/UVCGz89nZOo/s1600/IMG_9641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Di_UNT2zQ/T9MFqeqKOXI/AAAAAAAACG4/UVCGz89nZOo/s320/IMG_9641.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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Last but not least, this is a 32oz jar of pie filling. The store bought comes in only 20oz. So a qt. of pie filling will do 1.5 Cream Cheese pies. Guess good things DO come in threes =) (yes, you have to do the math on your own!)<br />
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P.S. I gave David one of these for Valentine's Day 12 yrs ago. ;) (a pie, not a jar of pie filling!)<br />
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Thought question - do you think the verse "O taste and see that the Lord is good" refers to food? And on a lighter note, what is your favorite kind of pie?<br />
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P.P.S. I can food faster than I can blog about it! Cherry syrup...improved my previous recipe. Boysenberry Jam - All sold! Carrot/zucchini pickles. Coming up....several more types of jam....like Black and Blue Jam. The fabulous Berry Cherry. Maybe even straight cherry. Adios!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-59962932163497308732012-06-07T22:24:00.000-07:002012-06-07T22:48:22.769-07:00In Honor of John - C.G.B.G.B<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sunday before Memorial Day Weekend we decided that we weren't going to go camping that weekend. Why? A variety of reasons made it not the best time. So to "make up" for it, we planned a fun weekend.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C - campfire meal </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">G - gardening</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B - beach</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">G - gardening</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B - baseball</span></li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_p5WBiqTJA/T9BK1K-GoEI/AAAAAAAAB4A/VnjWqIZOaa4/s1600/IMG_9513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_p5WBiqTJA/T9BK1K-GoEI/AAAAAAAAB4A/VnjWqIZOaa4/s400/IMG_9513.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> These almost 2 yr olds are just a week apart in age =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No comments needed =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wouldn't be a campfire without some singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoying those smores cones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> A campfire evening with those we had been planning on camping with suddenly came into question when it started raining Fri. afternoon. We left the decision until a hour before....and it stopped just in time! Our meal was simple and "campfirish" - even if we cooked on the propane stove. I made what I had been going to fix for our group supper. Zappatos Red Beans and Rice mix with sausage added. The others brought cornbread (Trader Joe's mix with an added can of corn - so good!); watermelon, and smore cones. "Smore cones" you say? Yes, Sharon discovered them on </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/219480181810474915/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Due to the chance of rain, David nixed the setting up the tent in the backyard idea, promised the children they could sleep on the trampoline. But we were having a little cold snap (as in it snowed close to where we wanted to camp) and they soon came in =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day was a garden day. It needed weeding and watering and attention in lots of different areas. But we focused on the boysenberries. David patiently ties up the new growth so that it is much easier for us to pick them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He wears gloves and holds the stems up. I tie them where needed and he weaves the stems if possible. Aaron spent quite a while cutting our twine and then weeding the walkway by the berries. Yeah! I don't have to wear jeans to pick them now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Most Saturdays will find Sarah in denim - we are just outside most of the day. Correction, David and the children are outside most of the day, and I join them whenever possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ocean was beautiful, but windy. Sadly, my camera got left at home. We enjoyed supper at Sea Harvest - Thanks A. Margaret. I get a kick out of watching the sea lions there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day we gardened some more, followed by a baseball game and picnic with friends....we definately have many blessings in life. So thankful for this country to live in, for godly family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and John is on an acronym kick. I vividly remember annoying my friends with my named based acronyms....I'm so sorry! I won't name them here =) You can do the honors in the comments section if you feel inclined!</span> </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-32355946122125954752012-05-31T00:52:00.001-07:002012-05-31T00:52:57.898-07:00Reading Wish ListMagazines I enjoy reading<br />
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<ul>
<li>Creation</li>
<li>World News</li>
<li>Testimony</li>
<li>Real Simple</li>
<li>Readers Digest</li>
<li>Consumer Reports</li>
</ul>
<strong>And occasionally....i.e. waiting rooms</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>cooking magazines</li>
<li>popular science</li>
<li>National Geographic.</li>
<li>...and that great American rag...."P_ _ _ _ _" </li>
</ul>
Reading magazines at this stage of life suits me well. They usually aren't too demanding mentally, thereby allowing me to go to sleep shortly after reading. I get my little reading fix AND get to sleep quickly. <br />
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It's rather obvious that our reading materials do say a lot about us. If I listed the last 5 books I have read, you would think that I was a Christian who likes to read, housekeep, raise children, and live healthily, and make JAM. What do the titles in your life say? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-6898950796532310202012-05-22T00:43:00.000-07:002012-05-22T00:43:21.788-07:00Flashback - Somebody Special Turned 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Way back in Febuary, little miss turned 5. She heard about her 10 yr old cousin in Ore. who had had a tea party for her birthday party. Viola! My almost tomboy declared that her favorite birthday party theme would be Tea Party...yes, it rather surprised me. Then, I just felt sad. You see, the last tea party I was at was Grandma Mary Jane's 85th birthday party, when little miss was 3 mo. old. Grandma loved pretty china and all the ways that a table can be made beautiful. So this party was a little bit a way to honor her - to pass on to my daughter, that the simple can be made beautiful. Really, isn't that what God did, took "simple" DNA...little molecules..ADGC and created life. Beautiful, spectacular, amazingly unique life. Thank you Grandma....for lovinging the beautiful in life!<br />
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My sisters even know how to make jicama beautiful!</div>
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Mini cupcakes w/ flags - thanks A. Mary!</div>
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Chocolate covered strawberries WITH sprinkles!</div>
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Blueberry Lemon Scones from Cooks Illustrated....mouthwatering!</div>
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The ever determined birthday girl getting rid of the smoke. =)</div>
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Her actual birthday was special too. We (she, youngest man, and I made blueberry pancakes...our family birthday tradition)</div>
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Yes, it's a penguin with sunglasses....yes, he loved it =)</div>
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A. Sharon came and ate lunch here, then she got to go out for a birthday lunch with Daddy. </div>
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She is so blessed!</div>
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Grandma Irene came over and let Sarah help a little bit making the placemats tea party worthy. </div>
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Stamp...stamp....stamp.</div>
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After all, you are only 5 once! </div>
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Do you remember your 5th birthday? I don't. But that is hardly shocking....I have an anemic memory.</div>
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Thought question? Look around you...what beauty has God placed in your life right now? </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-54111803066026298322012-05-17T23:38:00.000-07:002012-05-18T07:09:24.740-07:00Paddington might be hunting Strawberry Marmalade!I've had the recipe marked in my Jam cookbook that has been calling my name for quite a few months. Last week, in an urge to put off doing all that I needed to do to coordinate the "End of School Year" Picnic.....I up and made some <strong>Triple Berry Jam</strong>. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Strawberries</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Boysenberries</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Blueberries</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf9DJH-kfIc/T7XdntXwwdI/AAAAAAAABJ0/byDlbHUlCt8/s1600/IMG_9391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf9DJH-kfIc/T7XdntXwwdI/AAAAAAAABJ0/byDlbHUlCt8/s320/IMG_9391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>All mixed together in a fragrant sugary pot. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Washing the jars in hot soapy water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWEiP_MFrSk/T7Xfobws6GI/AAAAAAAABNA/2daausiIqIs/s1600/IMG_9394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWEiP_MFrSk/T7Xfobws6GI/AAAAAAAABNA/2daausiIqIs/s320/IMG_9394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">S was doing her best to take a picture of me skimming off the foam. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward to this week...last week of school, mind you....I managed to remember the ingredients when making my grocery list. I stopped at the Strawberry stand to find that they had 1/2flat of jam berries. After lunch I started processing and figured out that I had just enough to make a double batch of <strong>Strawberry Marmalade </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Strawberries mixed with a plentiful amount of Orange and Lemon zest and fruit. </strong>The citrus brightens the sweet jam delightfully. The handy dandy zester comes from Pampered Chef. I highly recommend it. (The side prongs nicely score a cucumber as well)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The marmalade mixture at first showed the citrus color...as you can see below, cooking made it primarily red. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">My efficiency loving side delights in being able to use my 9 qt canner + a towel on the bottom to can all of that jam in one shot. </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh Paddington....where are you....there's marmalade available!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujZE6fOPgl4/T7XZoEw2EcI/AAAAAAAABKE/D_gPNiUUPus/s1600/IMG_9475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujZE6fOPgl4/T7XZoEw2EcI/AAAAAAAABKE/D_gPNiUUPus/s320/IMG_9475.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGMqWRnvU4/T7XZnJO5VRI/AAAAAAAABKA/RXE620jd8VI/s1600/IMG_9476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGMqWRnvU4/T7XZnJO5VRI/AAAAAAAABKA/RXE620jd8VI/s320/IMG_9476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caramel Pear Jam, Strawberry Marmalade, and Triple Berry Jam....it's what's in stock. But by far the most fun one to say is....STRAWBERRY MARMALADE. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thought Question....Dorcus was the only woman raised from the dead. She served her community selflessly. What can I(you/we) do to better serve our community? In the spirit of humility, i don't expect public answers...but take a minute or two or three...PAUSE...and let the Lord speak to your heart. We all have room to grow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P.S. <a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.com/">Kendra</a> - you must be streamlined....20 minutes? Hahahahah! =) Excellent post right there, blogging friends! I've definately caught myself comparing myself to other bloggers. Then low and behold life happened and I got so far out of this that I wondered if I should simply bid everyone goodbye here in blogland. But I didn't...obviously =) Goodnight!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-21765709215482658712012-03-27T05:00:00.000-07:002012-03-27T05:00:05.668-07:00Swiss Chard anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"A time to plant...and a time to pluck up that which is planted"</span></div>
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Saturday was great, even if I did sew the entire side seam of my dress-in-progress wrong for the second time. You see, I spent a good part of the day outside with my favorite Master Gardener!</div>
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It's that time of year. The time where baby leaves coat the oaks, the fog is gone, and the March storms delightfully fickle. Here in the Great Central Valley, if we are lucky enough to have gotten winter crops planted, well, we truly do both parts of that famous Ecc. verse. The boysenberry vines have been pruned and meticulously tied. See the new growth? Just 2 short months and I'll be back to picking boysenberries every 2-3 days. The one outdoor activity I missed Sat. was the planting of a 2nd row of berries over on the far hill. Next year will be the first harvest.....I'm hoping to have some u-pick berries from that row! </div>
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Striding out with camera in hand, I found the imaginers and their sidekick. Sarah was picking weeds (yeah, weeds at our house in spring time is fairly common) and feeding "glansen" to her horses. John was adding sticks to a leftover tomato cage to make his windmill. Stephen? Just wondering around blissfully a part of the outdoor action =)</div>
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Stephen - watching our Master Gardener hoe the baby potatoes. </div>
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MG actually said it was one of his favorite things! </div>
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Tiny onions...I had the pleasure of dividing and transplanting the "extras". I'm actually a wee bit concerned about the size of our possible harvest. 3-4 35' rows? </div>
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Seeing the rows of potatoes coming up IS extra rewarding when you have a hand in dividing all of the potato seed. It's a bit of a contest to me....how many eyes CAN you separate out of ONE potato? =) </div>
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Yes, my husband is a measurer...each row gets a piece of pvc at both ends, a string to mark the row....and voila...straight rows. It really is GOOD that I'm not in charge of that process. =)</div>
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Our trusty 4 row planter completed the 7 row job faster than our row man could make new rows. =) </div>
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Yeah, we like to gang up on him like that. For those of you interested in varieties, we planted Ambrosia - a bicolor "sister" corn to our favorite - Bodacious. I'm sure our next planting will be the latter. Thanks, Sharon - for bringing some seed from IN!</div>
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First time ever - we planted some beans to dry - Italian Rose. I'm rather intrigued. The zucchini doesn't "call" me at quiet the same level...especially when I hear that there are 14, yes FOURTEEN, Zucchini out there. "Well just feed the mission if there is plenty" says He. Hmm, I'd better reserve further comments until said squash is ready to pick. But if you see me dashing around the church yard this summer after church...=)</div>
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A few of our cabbages have heads, the rest appear ready to bolt - a combo of warmer Feb. weather and starting our seed at the time we should have been planting transplants. I'm really ok with it, b/c that amount of cabbage sounded a bit overwhelming....I like sauerkraut, just not sure I'm ready to make it. Plus I don't have a big crock. Which is ok, gotta save SOMETHING for next year, yes? =)</div>
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Sugar Snap Pea picking bribery abounds at our house...it happens so much happier when you say...."you have to pick one container full. When you get 3 containers full...then you get a sucker"</div>
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Whoosh...they are out of the house. I joined them today for a more thorough going over. They aren't perfect, but my older 3 all eat them - esp. with that childhood favorite...ranch dressing. </div>
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Speaking of eating...the last and best garden moment of the day was walking out to the front flower bed and picking a bunch of swiss chard with Sarah. It was the seed SHE picked out this last fall, and now we've had it 2x for supper. The Multicolored really is pretty! </div>
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We had to wash it thoroughly.</div>
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and sauteed it with oil, garlic, salt & pepper, and boysenberry vinegar for a bit of sweet zing. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">delish...hardly enough for 5 of us. Now i just need to let it grow and get BIG like the acreage over on Covert Rd. That is some lovely swiss chard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I really do have hope for Stephen - right now he's a bit of a fruits and veggies snob....but how can he resist the delicious bounty of Daddy's garden? He'll learn....=) cause I'm not about to give up. I'll just send him out with John this summer to pick beans....cause John eats them off the vine...tomatoes too...you MIGHT not want to have him over if you have a garden .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Keep planting and hoping and eating and praising the Lord for his bounty. Most all of us know the law of the sower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You reap what you sow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You reap more than you sow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So sow in truth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And that wonderful thought question....what is the one veggie you don't really like? Why? Mine is bell peppers. The odor is offensive. The crunch? delightful. I like them roasted....but NOT raw. And please don' t ruin a pizza with them =) And beets? Well, I'm neutral on those beauties. My husband wants to plant some, so who knows, maybe I'll be plugging beets into allrecipes.com this summer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kendra - No, I didn't aim this post at you...and I hope it doesn't make you sad! Ok, now I'm sad b/c it has been so very very long since we've seen each other. Praise the Lord for computers, yes? Miss you, and certain other of my far flung friends that go waaaaayyyy back to teen years =) I can't name you, b/c that would be leaving someone out. But if you knew me back then, consider yourself missed. There is just something special about old friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">P.s. - When I say "Master Gardener" - I mean of our small domain - there are LOTS of Master Gardeners out there!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-68067082730601644472012-03-26T07:30:00.000-07:002012-03-26T07:30:01.286-07:00Flashback - Christmas 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas</span></strong> was lovely this year, we had 4/6 celebrations in our home - counting Thanksgivingtime Christmas with David's family. It was a more challenging Christmas in one way (for me), and one of the most blessed of Christmas's in another. I realized in Oct. that Christmas this year was going to be mostly handmade....not what I thought my cup of tea was (that design/create gene that I lack). Lesson learned....Ebay, Etsy, Amazon...are all wonderfully handy and easy...but the truth is, neccesity REALLY is the mother of invention. Once I got my attitude in check, I made use of the tools available to me...namely, websites with awesome tutorials, a creative mother/sister/aunt to bounce ideas off of, odds and ends in the sewing closet....and of course....the most challenging component of all - TIME. I truly spent 2 months making things. With little children and a home to run, there really aren't oodles of extra hours available. I got a lot of ideas from this website </span><a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/101-simple-handmade-gift-tutorials/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple handmade gifts</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> . I made #'s 7, 8, 13, and 48. There were several more that I saved that I never got to...next year? They really were simple and seemed to turn out pretty well. Several people recieved aprons. They were all fun to make, and all quite different The following is the only one I have a picture of...hint hint =) I was especially pleased with the denim one as it was an original idea....plus, my denim trim package completed the apron with ~8" to spare....oh that made me happy! One of the big challenges of making gifts is making sure that you have all of the correct accessories before the slotted gift making time arrives! You know, the joys of shopping with toddlers =) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad with his "work apron" - I cut the pockets off of old jeans that I'm saving for a beach blanket...plus a bizarre pair that my mom bought at a Thrift store....not acceptable for CAM, that's for sure =) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made the mugs with the children - for a few family members and their teachers. It was easy for them to color in the letters after I outlined them. David got drafted to make the letter stencils...a Sunday afternoon project. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Jons/Johns got owls made from repurposed scarfs...I just about couldn't stand cutting into the Gap 100% merino wool one, but...I have enough left for a little clutch. =) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A robe, several dresses (I just finished the last one! hurray =) even a table runner and placemats. You know, I think that I might some day get into quilting...the math was kind of challenging and fun. Getting all the puckers out...not so much. The sisal rope bowls were neat...Deborah B...ask me about your connection to that story sometime. I went to the thrift store and bought an inexpensive silver basket and followed the tutorial. Basically, it just requires lots of planning. Which equates to lots of time to think about how much you love the person, correct? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The previous Christmas I had purchased a Christmas cookie cookbook, and did nothing with it. Like I've said before, artsy messes aren't my thing. But this year, I thought it would be fun to make a special cookie with each child and use those for our friends/special people/neighbors cookie trays. The children loved it, of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if you ever want to make your husband flannel pajamas....don't bother with the cheap stuff....(family plug coming) <strong>Creative Handworks</strong> has a great selection of high quality, wonderful-to-snuggle with flannel - just ask! =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David had to help me mold the napkin rings I made...it was a great team effort...he formed them in the shop, brought in his etcher, and etched the Bible verses (double as conversation starters) on the fork and I went over the etching with a sharpie, then wiped the excess off with ethyl alcohol. SURPRISE, I recieved a set to - all with verses refering to Creation. Details are his thing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The homemade Christmas gift that will poignantly linger in my memory is the Tomato Soup I made for my Grandma Jarboe. She never got a chance to have any. For those of you who don't know my family well, she passed away the 3rd week of January. We knew she wasn't doing as well in December. Christmas was a big effort. I told the boys when we arrived at our school Christmas program that they were to MAKE SURE and thank Grandma Jarboe for coming to the program, b/c she hadn't went to a function in the morning so that she could be at their program. I told them that we never know when it might be the last time." =( </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She gave Sarah a doll called Tuesday's Child. So glad to have this picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The dress Sarah is wearing was the one</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I made for her for Christmas. Glad to have found an easy pattern that fits true to size </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and works for cotton or cotton knit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More assorted Christmas pics</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I WILL climb onto this box =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jon and A. Sharon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> John - very pleased with his Legoman headlamp...and new Mercy Watson books. He would read a paragraph and then just giggle...hehe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Just a tad bit excited for Christmas breakfast -we always use these festively colored squarish plates from Grandma Wagoner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stocking time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We celebrated Christmas with</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A.Virginia & Grandma Jarboe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">None of us know what a year may bring...it's a beautiful lesson to each of us to cherish each one around the table - each and every time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of our relaxing day with U. Jon and A. Chris the day after Christmas was...a man challenge </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">followed by fun for all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and I think a CHEESECAKE tradition for the Cover Family </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas celebration has officially been started!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">P.s....it's good to be back =) Any favorite memories of Christmas 2011 you want to share?</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-56431450729292546972012-02-27T00:43:00.001-08:002012-02-27T00:43:41.064-08:00Peek a boo<span style="color: red;">Peek a boo!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Strawberry Lemon Marmalade</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Christmas Gifts</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Grandma extraordinaire</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Birthday parties?</span><br />
Planting potatoes <br />
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Just the short list of what I'd love to be blogging about. Problem numero uno. My computer died a sudden death. I don't know how many pictures I lost. I do have a back up hard drive, I just don't remember when I last backed it up. Sometime in the last 6 mo. I hope! I'm rather scared to look...so I just do the old avoidance trick and don't do it. It won't change anything. I'm definately thankful that I have some pictures on fb and the picassa account linked to here. I keep thinking I'll get on here on and post with my husband's laptop.<br />
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It never seems like the most important thing to do. Laundry smaundry. I.e. this afternoon, I was going to post ....and....I took a nap. Naps are delicious at every stage of life except childhood. Can I hear an AMEN?!?<br />
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You get to vote on my first topic choice. What'll it be? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-53721929373276024222011-10-21T06:30:00.000-07:002011-10-21T06:30:02.470-07:00Caramel Pear Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYGFYFfbCLQ/TqEM0yMlVEI/AAAAAAAAAes/8VZDapV0Y9A/s1600/IMG_8303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYGFYFfbCLQ/TqEM0yMlVEI/AAAAAAAAAes/8VZDapV0Y9A/s400/IMG_8303.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This concoction was suggested by my sister Sharon, who pinned the following link on Pinterest. (How are you all liking this <strike>Black Hole</strike> Pinterest?) <a href="http://knitandnosh.typepad.com/knit_nosh/2010/11/can-jam-november-2010-pommes.html">Knit & Nosh recipe location</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoA6BxCN0TA/TqEMYEQR6wI/AAAAAAAAAeU/mAFN4DOeZMI/s1600/IMG_8292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoA6BxCN0TA/TqEMYEQR6wI/AAAAAAAAAeU/mAFN4DOeZMI/s400/IMG_8292.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I followed fairly closely to the recipe, substituting only cooked pears for fresh (I had a lot and tend to be a bit of a fresh fruit hoarder...LOVE the stuff). As far as technique, b/c I had already cooked them, I didn't get the Victrolia Food Mill out of Grandma's garage, but instead used my Bosch blender. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This recipe chain makes me laugh a little because Knit and Nosh also references the recipe she found and changed to her liking. I haven't yet tried it in my oatmeal, but it is excellent as apple dip, as well as ELEVATING A PB&J TO NEARLY GOURMET!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thank YOU, GOD, for pears, and sugarcane, spices, and lemon trees. You make all things beautifully. Our creations come only from your MASTER DESIGNED building blocks. For YOU alone are worthy of all praise.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Limited Edition as usual - I think I have 8 extra jars. They come with ribbon bedecked and sporting lovely labels for instant gifting =) Contact me on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.217863338280082.54090.159434027456347&type=1#%21/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347">Aria Gardens facebook page to order a jar (or 2 or 3)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hmmm, I only have 1 jar of Apple Butter in my pantry....maybe that will be next? But, there is also a "Pink Pear Extraordinaire" recipe tugging at my apron strings.....AND THE POMEGRANATE TREE IS RIPENING! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, you know I always have a "thought" Question....<b>Which one WILL I make next?</b> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-48084281105627496952011-10-17T22:00:00.000-07:002011-10-17T22:00:21.583-07:00Exploring my amatuer creativityCreativity - I often feel a major lacking of this wonderful personality trait. It has been said "There are different ways to be creative...." and that is TRUE. I follow a blog from a woman who likes to organize even more than I do. Check out this <a href="http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.com/2011/10/31-days-to-cheaply-organize-your-home_17.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganizingMadeFun+%28Organizing+made+Fun%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">latest post</a>. Cereal boxes? Really? Very cool! Her previous post features oatmeal containers. SHARON... you aren't allowed to look at that one.!<br />
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So, me, the least creative of the family looks at making Christmas gifts with a bit of a cringe. Not really my thing. But this year...it IS going to be my thing...and I found a wonderful site with lots of ideas. I'm NOT sharing it. =) Mostly b/c my family reads this blog and they might snatch some of my ideas...or figure out what I MIGHT be making them. (smiling) <br />
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But I will share a couple of cute children ideas. <a href="http://www.thissimplegift.blogspot.com/">Carolyn</a>, the owl makes me think of you. Not sure why =) Now the question...I always have challenges when matching fabrics. do I go with what I have that does coordinate, knowing my children will probably like it just b/c I made it and i have dresses that match? Or should I go get fun stuff at the store. Niether takes much fabric, so it's not like it will break the bank. <br />
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Both come from the blog <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/">Make it and Love it</a><br />
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Aren't they adorable?<br />
There - That is your thought question. Let the opinions FLY!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-72681290085215537422011-10-12T22:44:00.000-07:002011-10-12T22:44:08.214-07:00Squeeze your eyes tight....<span style="font-size: x-large;">And PICTURE the CHAOS. </span><br />
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Really...sometimes I just have to laugh internally, even while trying to tame the crazy chaos that can spring up unexpectedly. I'm sure some of you relate. And if you can't, well then, now is when the wool is pulled away from your eyes....sometimes I mess up a bit. QUITE a bit.<br />
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The Scene...Stephen has been sleeping for 1.5 hrs. Sometimes he makes it a 2 hr nap, sometimes not. .I'm in the garage finishing the first coat of stain on a new bookshelf. I have the front, top, trim and sides of the bookshelf done. The other children are playing legos downstairs...having vanished from the garage for a combination of reasons. They had 2 rules if they were in the garage. 1. They had to stay on the back step unless they had permission. (John kept sliding over to the fridge to eat yellow tomatoes =) - forgiven.) 2. This is not mommy's forte...so no idle chatting.<br />
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Oh, and b/c I'm a newbe...there was stain allllll over both of my hands. All I have left to stain was the solid back and the sides of a couple of shelves. This was going to be done in a jif!<br />
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Sarah comes and tells me that Stephen was awake and crying. I asked her to ask Aaron to come see me. I tell Aaron to take Stephen for a little walk outside while i finish...It won't even be 10 min...I say. Stephen...still crying (poor guy, he usually gets cuddled when I get him up from his nap) gets loaded on big bro.'s shoulders. He does not calm down. I hear them through the garage door outside. I hear them come back in the house. The house door opens and Sarah starts to come out into the garage holding Stephen!<br />
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"No, no!" I say." AARON, TAKE HIM IN HIS ROOM" I'm semi-yelling, just to be heard over the inconsolable toddler sobs. His reply?<br />
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"I'll just go do my homework" as he heads towards the basement. Smart child, he knows he can't handle a crying baby well, but I can't touch anything with my stainy hands! <br />
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"No!" I repeat, "I can't pick him up." Having hurriedly finished my staining, I rush into the house and into the bathroom, dodging the wailing toddler to wash my hands. <br />
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The realization enters my brain that ordinary soap and water will not be solving my problem anytime soon! OK. "AARON, PLEASE GO GET MY PHONE AND COME IN HERE...on the OTHER side of me, so you can hear me" As I direct my son on how to speed dial my favorite man, Stephen continues to wail, watching me from the doorway. It is truly piercing and a bit echoic from the bathroom. I tell him to "Ask Dad what I should use to clean my hands....it's ok if you go out of the bathroom to hear him"<br />
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I'm thinking to myself....why WHY why oh why didn't I think of this before I started? Chalk that one up to lessons of a first time stainer. I was beginning to wonder if my "honey pine" tan was going to have to wear off! <br />
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By this time, Stephen had lurched toward me, and I had wiped my hands on a BLACK washcloth, so I could at least bend down, pick him up with my inner arms and set him on my knee so that I could cuddle his head. i still didn't want to touch his clothes! The wailing ceased and just the occasional hiccuping sob escaped.<br />
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Hallelujah...what a husband, bringing his heavy duty hand cleaner up from the shop to me.<br />
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So it only lasted about 3-5 min. I don't know...I didn't have time to look at the clock and i sure didn't have the ability to take pictures...hehe. Calming Chaos...a little love and one husband rescue at a time.<br />
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Really, the rest of the day was great =)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-50377282392180685002011-10-07T22:39:00.000-07:002011-10-07T22:39:46.446-07:00Forgotten Tuesday<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I've waxed poetic</span> <span style="font-size: large;">(or as poetic as I get) about the blessings of having company. Lately I've been following a couple of "31 days to" blogs, and one of them is <a href="http://reluctantentertainer.com/">"31 days to a Warmer Connection"</a> Check it out if you like having company or desire to grow in appreciation of it's blessings. Yesterday when blogging about my busy week, I rather skipped right over Tues. Just forgot that I had these great photos on my camera. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend from my home district who moved out of state when we were 12. She is one of those friends who regardless of how long you have been out of contact... you can immediately start talking and feel right at home! She is an inspiration to me on a variety of fronts. Godly wife and mother to 7 (4 of whom are adopted). God has blessed me through her. A question she asked while we were visiting the other night is my thought question for the post...."What gives you peace" </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The "great" pictures are NOT so great from a photographer's standpoint...except that they capture exactly what was happening. It was that moment after part of the company has left and the rest are about to....and then....Laurie and I became aware of the din and began laughing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One side of the room</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jy6ES_ORfVQ/To_YGmArSCI/AAAAAAAAAd8/pQWcbPemAiE/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jy6ES_ORfVQ/To_YGmArSCI/AAAAAAAAAd8/pQWcbPemAiE/s400/IMG_8082.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other side of the room....each of us intent and vigorous in our conversation! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhtM1zncyTI/To_YFWXb5xI/AAAAAAAAAeA/cXS6qbdnqws/s1600/IMG_8083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhtM1zncyTI/To_YFWXb5xI/AAAAAAAAAeA/cXS6qbdnqws/s320/IMG_8083.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 14 children lined up and exercised the tire swing and rope swing =) Sarah and her new friend had a blast in her "kitchen" It is fun to think that these young people might spend time together in YF sometime!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as food goes? The evening is proof that "what" you serve doesn't matter as much as you might think. I actually served a casserole. (I haven't done that very often) No, it didn't have a cream sauce. Brown rice, chicken, honey, peppers, wine, mustard, pinapple. It's pretty good. And handy b/c you can prepare it ahead of time! Let me know if you want the recipe. Then I baked Rhodes Texas Rolls - they are large and delicious and super easy. Available at Winco. A friend brought a beautiful toss salad. Green beans from our garden rounded out the main course. Lime pear jello - easy and made the day before....and then...b/c I have lots of pie filling on hand...pie for dessert. I was a little too hurried to take pictures. Too bad really, b/c I used my fun leaf pie dough cutters to decorate the crusts a bit. Maybe I'll use them again at Thanksgiving =)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does anybody else always have that "panic" time about 2-3 hrs before company is due to arrive? It gets me every time (just about!) Do you have any solutions to share?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was a school night, so that added a few variables...thankfully there was little in the way of homework!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Again....the thought question...."What brings you peace?" Elaborate as you wish.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-84357281933104509032011-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:002011-10-07T07:00:13.552-07:00A Fall to Cherish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> Fall has arrived! </b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The shakers, sweepers, and pickup machines roared in here bringing dust,the happiness of harvested almonds...and pure joy to little boys...even my 15 mo. old liked to watch! Look - you can even see the almonds falling into the nut buggy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With fall comes the fun of changing decorations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sharon bought some "fun" pumpkin seed for us this spring. See the fruit that come from the planting? Beautiful blue/green pumpkins. Thank you Sharon...Thank you David...Thank you Lord!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIa534UuG8c/To6aDEV7f4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/Pp8npkVqeBk/s1600/IMG_8031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIa534UuG8c/To6aDEV7f4I/AAAAAAAAAcg/Pp8npkVqeBk/s400/IMG_8031.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXaJ13gS5LI/To6aJBu7VZI/AAAAAAAAAcw/zm9yDbU-NtU/s1600/IMG_8036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXaJ13gS5LI/To6aJBu7VZI/AAAAAAAAAcw/zm9yDbU-NtU/s400/IMG_8036.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> So, I'll admit here that I always feel challenged when decorating. I lack vision in this area. I never know what I'm doing ahead of time....just kind of do it as it sort of comes. Sometimes it stresses me a bit, b/c it's just "hard". There are so many of you who do such a good job....my sisters...<a href="http://mcmasterandstorm.com/">Kara</a>, <a href="http://www.sewafineseam.blogspot.com/">Jill</a> (by the way, Jill, I am in total agreement with you about threads....can't stand unclipped ones! =) <a href="http://www.adelightfulglow.com/">Deborah</a> (loved her recent poetic post on wind) <a href="http://frantzfeatherings.blogspot.com/">Melissa</a>....what do these pictures scream to (any of) you that I need to incorporate? Yes, I did add some small gourds to the pumpkin...I know that much (smirk) Anyways...any advice would be lovely and much appreciated!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">David's parents arrived a few days before John's 7th Birthday. Great was the anticipation of the arrival of their vehicle....and all the cookies that came along. ;)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9UOZVgDwx4/To6War2mSlI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ZLN636xmkWQ/s1600/IMG_8058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9UOZVgDwx4/To6War2mSlI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ZLN636xmkWQ/s400/IMG_8058.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I love how Stephen just knows that they belong. He's not been with them since Feb. except for a few hours in Klamath Falls this summer.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKs0f2hJCSs/To6VpDsjNcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/khm1yKqm4Fg/s1600/IMG_8001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKs0f2hJCSs/To6VpDsjNcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/khm1yKqm4Fg/s400/IMG_8001.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Because John's birthday was on Sunday and the family was all coming...and I know some of my limits...well, we had his birthday blueberry pancakes on Sat. the day before. It was Sat. and my boys have some overalls that they *get* to wear on Sat. Of course Grandpa brought his along! We had a smashing crew that day, the house got pressure washed, gravel blown free of leaves and wetted down, and the windows were made to sparkle. Happy smile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday - Birthday Celebration! Since Grandpa and Grandma are here, and Aaron (whose birthday is in 3 weeks) is getting a "friends" birthday party this year, we combined their celebrations for the first time. John got to pick the cake theme, and the birthday food. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wPZo28Wjv8/To6V4CnN5xI/AAAAAAAAAbk/g8Ic2R81iHY/s1600/IMG_8009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wPZo28Wjv8/To6V4CnN5xI/AAAAAAAAAbk/g8Ic2R81iHY/s400/IMG_8009.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3IKb-o1Xb0/To6irSOgfdI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8ljm3dWeg-w/s1600/IMG_8039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3IKb-o1Xb0/To6irSOgfdI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8ljm3dWeg-w/s400/IMG_8039.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Mary kindly read while we all wait for meatballs and mac cheese to get ready.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hby7Fy6Y_Y/To6V9Hkl-YI/AAAAAAAAAbs/JDWKK2qz9us/s1600/IMG_8043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hby7Fy6Y_Y/To6V9Hkl-YI/AAAAAAAAAbs/JDWKK2qz9us/s400/IMG_8043.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> He was tooo fast for mom to catch him blowing. "TOOT, TOOT"</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6EbjaqA2Zg/To6i2HN196I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/mKRMmSjB5bc/s1600/IMG_8048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6EbjaqA2Zg/To6i2HN196I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/mKRMmSjB5bc/s400/IMG_8048.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> One of our "requirements" is that the birthday card is read before the gift is opened. The boys both received cowboy boots and flashlights. Hmm...sleeping? In bed? With a flashlight? *fun*</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsPA-ig80E4/To6iyCPZN2I/AAAAAAAAAdU/EKaNS002VEs/s1600/IMG_8053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsPA-ig80E4/To6iyCPZN2I/AAAAAAAAAdU/EKaNS002VEs/s400/IMG_8053.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Derby hats...and a watch. Little brother has one too. I'd better watch out, or my cousin Susanna might come steal them for a day =)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UidaoIpGEEE/To6jFi2QgbI/AAAAAAAAAdY/A89ngXtBtWI/s1600/IMG_8054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UidaoIpGEEE/To6jFi2QgbI/AAAAAAAAAdY/A89ngXtBtWI/s400/IMG_8054.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Last but not least...the "bruder" backhoe. Has your child ever poured over the little catalogs that come with some items? My boys brought home a Bruder catalog from Wa...and did they ever "brood" over that thing! =)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LlXcUYr-E/To6jKrF9H9I/AAAAAAAAAdc/jdfDCU1Fw58/s1600/IMG_8063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-LlXcUYr-E/To6jKrF9H9I/AAAAAAAAAdc/jdfDCU1Fw58/s400/IMG_8063.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Early the next morning, I caught my son outside looking like this.... a new mitt will do that to you.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldXrYo7wlF0/To6WPvmDtoI/AAAAAAAAAcM/5Bh0MaDt6L8/s1600/IMG_8068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldXrYo7wlF0/To6WPvmDtoI/AAAAAAAAAcM/5Bh0MaDt6L8/s400/IMG_8068.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8r3AdsXF8TI/To6Wbm9FPWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/6_UvPtMNvk4/s1600/IMG_8065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8r3AdsXF8TI/To6Wbm9FPWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/6_UvPtMNvk4/s400/IMG_8065.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">this picture was why he was "sent" outside....I don't CARE if you don't plan to let go of the ball =) We have too many large windows in our living areas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This made me realize that my children are growing up! I've never seen them all playing any type of sport together, and Aaron and John were trying to teach Sarah how to catch the ball. Makes a mother's heart kind of *sing* =)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-een0QFm-fQQ/To6Wg6AlDGI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/PgCV27QkZFI/s1600/IMG_8073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-een0QFm-fQQ/To6Wg6AlDGI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/PgCV27QkZFI/s400/IMG_8073.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday...we also did laundry...and Jon and Chris came over in the eve for supper. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2P3P24tOT8/To6VtA9muOI/AAAAAAAAAbg/QEwZP4QD7F4/s1600/IMG_7959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2P3P24tOT8/To6VtA9muOI/AAAAAAAAAbg/QEwZP4QD7F4/s400/IMG_7959.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Sometime, I still want to do that comparative laundry stain remover post. I'm working on documenting the evidence. We are NOT in short supply of available pieces for treatment. ;)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AifA-vB-n38/To6Vsc-ZdWI/AAAAAAAAAbc/fJHHtELj1kA/s1600/IMG_7984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AifA-vB-n38/To6Vsc-ZdWI/AAAAAAAAAbc/fJHHtELj1kA/s640/IMG_7984.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of Sarah and Stephen's favorite games is "Hide and Seek behind Mom's dresses" Giggles galore and entertained children...what more could I ask for?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnizWbRRNo/To6WjG6AFZI/AAAAAAAAAcU/A_MbH3SrBZg/s1600/IMG_8076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYnizWbRRNo/To6WjG6AFZI/AAAAAAAAAcU/A_MbH3SrBZg/s400/IMG_8076.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Not sure how I'm feeling towards my Brother and Sister-in-law. See that multicolored object in my daughter's hand? Her older brothers have one too. And Stephen learned how to blow on them.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WHISTLES! all the way from France. "Outside! or downstairs with the DOOR SHUT" I proclaim. Gracious...someone has to maintain my sanity...or else! =) He he, who knows, maybe I'll offer $ to the first one who can make their instrument melodic?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, we've been busy, but a good busy. Tomato soup and shopping. Skyping with the cousins. And in the midst of it all, trying to tame my brain that says...I want to accomplish this...and this...and this... and this... Reality!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Limitations,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">desires,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">dreams,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">duties.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is a balancing act.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in the midst of it all, a phone call. Reminding us that we have no promise of tomorrows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That we must cherish the todays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sweet sharing between siblings, the cuddling of a sleepy 15 mo. old (LOVE!), and those ordinary goodbye kisses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thought question - what are you cherishing today?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-55527670391542471472011-09-28T22:23:00.000-07:002011-09-28T22:25:28.955-07:00And the winner is....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McfLYgIjMag/ToP4purRZCI/AAAAAAAAAZo/9n_iK7POHYw/s1600/IMG_4272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McfLYgIjMag/ToP4purRZCI/AAAAAAAAAZo/9n_iK7POHYw/s400/IMG_4272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lindsay and the Beach. What? You've never heard of them? No worries, it's just me smashing 2 posts into one, probably breaking all blogging rules that might exist...<a href="http://www.adelightfulglow.com/">Deborah from KS</a>...- can you help me out on that one?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As some of you know, my last rather lengthy post was about Pluots and Jam...and more pluots and jam. I added a giveaway, will work it differently next time, but hey...learning usually requires experience, yes? One thing I learned was my ridiculous propensity to misspell giveaway. But I digress. You of course... are wondering who the winner is! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Lady named Lindsay M...a friend of a friend who liked my page on facebook. I must say that she makes darling knit fingerless gloves and sells them on etsy, which you can handily link to from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Knitty-Little-Secret/117712094914220">here.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kind of funny how I was mentally rooting for one of my close friends to win.... are we always so biased to those we love? Probably so. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqz8iQjHTM4/ToP3hI-xPtI/AAAAAAAAAY0/QdrgKBjfGvk/s1600/IMG_2258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqz8iQjHTM4/ToP3hI-xPtI/AAAAAAAAAY0/QdrgKBjfGvk/s640/IMG_2258.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMcXsBkntTY/ToP3tdx-uWI/AAAAAAAAAYw/sGqu37tuXLQ/s1600/IMG_2266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMcXsBkntTY/ToP3tdx-uWI/AAAAAAAAAYw/sGqu37tuXLQ/s640/IMG_2266.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AmgM0bJziQ/ToP3ufrhPcI/AAAAAAAAAY4/TEq4hhn-12E/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AmgM0bJziQ/ToP3ufrhPcI/AAAAAAAAAY4/TEq4hhn-12E/s640/IMG_2275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbxKRevfFjM/ToP4E_q-SxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/BKu_0tRiOnI/s1600/IMG_2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nbxKRevfFjM/ToP4E_q-SxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/BKu_0tRiOnI/s640/IMG_2293.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of spending time with those we love; well we were just privileged to spend the weekend at the beach with my Mom and sisters. It was glorious, even if it did rain on Sun. afternoon. Ok, well drizzled...David, John, Sarah and Stephen (in the stroller) went with me on my run. I pretty much ran in slow circles, zigzagged widely, jogged ahead, coming back to meet them. Stephen is a trooper, didn't act like a little drizzle bothered him in the least! Felt sorry for the couple that was planning to get married on the beach...the only activity we saw was the music man setting up under a lowdown beach umbrella. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9KTihkcUUg/ToP9rFc4pQI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zNV-FngABUs/s1600/IMG_4229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9KTihkcUUg/ToP9rFc4pQI/AAAAAAAAAaE/zNV-FngABUs/s400/IMG_4229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMdXojhwGbI/ToP98ZT-uPI/AAAAAAAAAbA/b3B0HlvnkxY/s1600/IMG_7865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMdXojhwGbI/ToP98ZT-uPI/AAAAAAAAAbA/b3B0HlvnkxY/s640/IMG_7865.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUd_sGVjC0g/ToP94CaXn9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/kSJ30hwqqhM/s1600/IMG_7878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUd_sGVjC0g/ToP94CaXn9I/AAAAAAAAAaI/kSJ30hwqqhM/s640/IMG_7878.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buskwxGbO3E/ToP4nAtOxwI/AAAAAAAAAZk/YTZQYvpyX_c/s1600/IMG_2343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buskwxGbO3E/ToP4nAtOxwI/AAAAAAAAAZk/YTZQYvpyX_c/s640/IMG_2343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q29MfBqfO9w/ToP2_1kA1pI/AAAAAAAAAYo/-_l733ezIPw/s1600/IMG_2232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q29MfBqfO9w/ToP2_1kA1pI/AAAAAAAAAYo/-_l733ezIPw/s400/IMG_2232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">REJUVINATING</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKKcbyhO0Sg/ToP2rAj5VyI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Mh-6JIPdCxk/s1600/IMG_2198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKKcbyhO0Sg/ToP2rAj5VyI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Mh-6JIPdCxk/s640/IMG_2198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">RELAXING</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8pfqu8ktPc/ToP34o8wRtI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mN-3gr-NGSs/s1600/IMG_2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8pfqu8ktPc/ToP34o8wRtI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mN-3gr-NGSs/s640/IMG_2334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg8UxkWn5ZE/ToP971ztCKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/mBDzhklAyK4/s1600/IMG_7883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg8UxkWn5ZE/ToP971ztCKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/mBDzhklAyK4/s640/IMG_7883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flBzSaKOs4g/ToP-H1d9kDI/AAAAAAAAAaU/2v83u4EX7xY/s1600/IMG_7889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flBzSaKOs4g/ToP-H1d9kDI/AAAAAAAAAaU/2v83u4EX7xY/s640/IMG_7889.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjnKPlw0y2M/ToP-Kbzt1MI/AAAAAAAAAao/foQ2E9EgLDs/s1600/IMG_7915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjnKPlw0y2M/ToP-Kbzt1MI/AAAAAAAAAao/foQ2E9EgLDs/s640/IMG_7915.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxDzBOyEo8c/ToP4Rvd_4cI/AAAAAAAAAZU/KD2v_uFkdqY/s1600/IMG_2361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxDzBOyEo8c/ToP4Rvd_4cI/AAAAAAAAAZU/KD2v_uFkdqY/s640/IMG_2361.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31RqqdMFzUQ/ToP4tZJYHfI/AAAAAAAAAZs/UyFABp-YrKA/s1600/IMG_4282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31RqqdMFzUQ/ToP4tZJYHfI/AAAAAAAAAZs/UyFABp-YrKA/s640/IMG_4282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty much everything a vacation should be! Thanks MOM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1LCosnf31o/ToP4bzDL3ZI/AAAAAAAAAZc/XD71MnCMLCo/s1600/IMG_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1LCosnf31o/ToP4bzDL3ZI/AAAAAAAAAZc/XD71MnCMLCo/s640/IMG_2452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got to run on the beach 2x AND play FRISBEE with my son and others. It really is fun when you can start playing "older" games with your children. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6kFfLSKkh2M/ToP4cyfjScI/AAAAAAAAAZg/c38qfXo2kRw/s1600/IMG_4254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6kFfLSKkh2M/ToP4cyfjScI/AAAAAAAAAZg/c38qfXo2kRw/s640/IMG_4254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvY8FRE_WkU/ToP4ZXc2ctI/AAAAAAAAAZY/X_wYzlLKvXw/s1600/IMG_2467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvY8FRE_WkU/ToP4ZXc2ctI/AAAAAAAAAZY/X_wYzlLKvXw/s640/IMG_2467.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And there is the inspiration for my thought question.....What did you play with your parents when you were a child? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH2O7uJVjZQ/ToP3Ot9zl9I/AAAAAAAAAYM/MDDktKD2eyc/s1600/IMG_2254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH2O7uJVjZQ/ToP3Ot9zl9I/AAAAAAAAAYM/MDDktKD2eyc/s640/IMG_2254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_dDWf28L4Q/ToP4N7Ze8wI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/WwFL1XLySd0/s1600/IMG_2355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_dDWf28L4Q/ToP4N7Ze8wI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/WwFL1XLySd0/s640/IMG_2355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another semi random thought....if you want to be inspired re: HOSPITALITY...go read about the Shunnamite woman. It's semi random b/c hospitality is on my mind...it is such a big blessing to both those who recieve it, and those who serve (as long as your heart is right) Anyways, I believe it to be no coincidence that God led me to read about this amazing lady right before the hospitality opportunity came to my doorstep. So yes, I will be busy for a few days...make that a week+ - but it will be such a "good" busy =) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessings to you all, thank you for reading and responding to my thought questions. this really is fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbuYUd7TUpA/ToP3hry8H8I/AAAAAAAAAZA/QP5YjLkdPEY/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbuYUd7TUpA/ToP3hry8H8I/AAAAAAAAAZA/QP5YjLkdPEY/s640/IMG_2262.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIXMTEBnN3Y/ToP3qTmVpiI/AAAAAAAAAY8/B3-SX_hmYFg/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIXMTEBnN3Y/ToP3qTmVpiI/AAAAAAAAAY8/B3-SX_hmYFg/s640/IMG_2265.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9oMZXZn2xc/ToP4G7EPiPI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/1yweCvOTamU/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9oMZXZn2xc/ToP4G7EPiPI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/1yweCvOTamU/s640/IMG_2303.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. I f you want an inspiring wonderful humorous motherhood blog to read....meet my friend <a href="http://livingintheshoe.blogspot.com/">Kendra</a>. Like my adjectives, Kendra? =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whoops,...found some more pictures =) I'm beach happy right now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKFmwU2tnho/ToP-kKsmp4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/xVoRLB08am8/s1600/IMG_7917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKFmwU2tnho/ToP-kKsmp4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/xVoRLB08am8/s640/IMG_7917.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise the LORD for the OCEAN...there is a special peace there. Don't worry, I won't go into the fascination diversity of sea life. Our God truly is an AWESOME GOD!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-61206931665941863032011-09-23T22:24:00.000-07:002011-10-13T23:12:13.389-07:00Jamming with the Pluots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I told you all a while back that I was planning to have some fun with pluots. Did I ever! The thought occurs to me that there may be a few of my readers that are not familiar with this delightful fruit. As seen on <a href="http://www.davewilson.com/br40/br40_trees/pluot.html">a local nursery website</a>, PLUOTS are cross between plums and plumcots developed here in the fabulous fruitful central valley in 1990. A plumcot is 1/2 plum and 1/2 apricot, so a PLUOT is 25% Apricot, 75% Plum, and 100% DELIGHTFUL. For you locals, I bought Dapple Dandy and Flavor King at <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_n1_v195/ai_17312088/">Smith Ranch in Modesto</a>. Their fruit is simply the best around. FYI, I did some weighing one day and the peaches I bought were < $1/lb. I call that great!<br />
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First I made Peach Pluot Jam. The ingredients were pretty simple...peaches, pluots, and the usual jam ingredients. Let me know if you want any of these recipes. <br />
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Cooking the pluots and peaches </div>
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Adding the surejell and sugar</div>
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Bringing the jam back to a boil...starting to clarify</div>
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Washed the jars - always a happy step.</div>
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So a little "small jar" canning tip...if you have a taller pressure canner, you can double layer your jars by putting a cookie rack above pint or 1/2 pint jars, and then put the smaller ones on top. As long as the actual jars aren't touching, everything's good. I think I canned about 14 jars at once this way...(happy face) </div>
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When I found some more preserving time....out came the strainer for a batch of pluot jelly. I don't usually go to the extra work for jelly....and I remembered why. It is a multi-day operation.<br />
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First you cook the processed pluots for a little while.<br />
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Then you let the pluot mush strain overnight. <br />
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The instructions said to strain it again with cheesecloth lining the strainer. When I was finished with that, the pluot juice was cloudy and I hoped that I had strained it completely enough. I had a hunch that when the juice was cooked, it would clarify...sure enough!<br />
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This step was pretty easy, bring to boil and add pectin.<br />
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Next, wash the jars</div>
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Fill and skim the foam off the top of the jars </div>
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Yabba Dabba Done!</div>
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I don't have pictures of the process of making the Pear Pluot Jam, suffice it to say that it was quite similar to making the Peach Pluot Jam. It is my personal favorite. The sweet tang of pluots melds wonderfully with the smooth texture of pear jam.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pear Pluot on the left, Peach Pluot on the right, and the adorable Jelly in the center</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I have some extra jars available for sale on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Aria-Gardens/159434027456347">facebook Aria Gardens page</a>. As always...it's limited edition, first come first sold.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-80463708172927957482011-09-19T21:34:00.000-07:002011-09-19T21:34:51.049-07:00Celebrating with ....The Long Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mw00ywMQMlU/TnfpHgbQrlI/AAAAAAAAAUE/vn53PKUL3aY/s1600/IMG_7673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mw00ywMQMlU/TnfpHgbQrlI/AAAAAAAAAUE/vn53PKUL3aY/s400/IMG_7673.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ujYaJEMig/TnfpNpodj5I/AAAAAAAAAUM/iFFTdhDff_U/s1600/IMG_7672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I6ujYaJEMig/TnfpNpodj5I/AAAAAAAAAUM/iFFTdhDff_U/s400/IMG_7672.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A month ago...or so, I was able to convince Anne to let me host a little Adoption shower in celebration of their soon adoption of 2 sons from Ethiopia. Yesterday...<a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/twinblessings/">Matt and Anne picked up their sons</a>!<br />
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I had lots of help....Sharon made the banners (cute, yes?) Mary decorated the cupcakes =) Dana and Lorraine helped with other aspects of the menu. Thanks to All!<br />
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I wasn't going to post pics on fb or reference it anywhere....then someone else did and well...this is just for the purpose of allowing you to praise the Lord that there are 2 fewer orphans in the world. Perhaps to help someone realize...that no, we can't all adopt; however, there are many many ways to support and care for the orphans of the world.<br />
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This special-to-me lady (Donna R.) is Matt's Great-Aunt, and also the Grandmother of another couple currently <a href="http://hopingforgod.blogspot.com/">in Ethiopia picking up thier new daughter</a><br />
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These new big sisters swept through the gifts...joyfully holding each new garment high for all to see =)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XuojdPhkgk/Tnfr6EZzJvI/AAAAAAAAAVE/BigoY_dDTXU/s1600/IMG_7694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XuojdPhkgk/Tnfr6EZzJvI/AAAAAAAAAVE/BigoY_dDTXU/s400/IMG_7694.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Anne and I weren't really together that much in young folks, she being several (eye roll) years younger than I. But somewhere along the line, we clicked. I used to take my boys to speech therapy near her house and we started exercising together regularly. That quit after a few children...can you imagine 2 GB's on roller blades pushing joggers? The trail was mostly hidden from the streets, but crossing Staniford and Prescott always mad me wonder what went through some of those drivers minds!<br />
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Anyways....the friendship...sometimes short on together time...has stuck. And I cried yesterday reading about them picking up their sons. I'm so happy for the fulfillment of their dreams. Keep them in your prayers, it's obviously a big transition...but we serve a Bigger God! <br />
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I hope that everytime I see thier sons, I'm reminded of how gracious God was to adopt me as his daughter!<br />
Here's the easy thought question....<br />
What's your adoption date? Mine was 12/15/91...oooh, I'm almost 20 =)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-27377218156331686282011-09-19T20:22:00.000-07:002011-09-19T20:25:58.923-07:00What a Corny Title - "The Corny Day"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0tSyEBAwRU/TlfFMtThmMI/AAAAAAAAATU/SNW0Lrx9SIQ/s1600/IMG_7397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0tSyEBAwRU/TlfFMtThmMI/AAAAAAAAATU/SNW0Lrx9SIQ/s640/IMG_7397.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aMoTofKIOJ0/Tnf3EsRUDGI/AAAAAAAAAVM/O1J0ULAtdYg/s1600/IMG_7248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aMoTofKIOJ0/Tnf3EsRUDGI/AAAAAAAAAVM/O1J0ULAtdYg/s400/IMG_7248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first batch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So you think you're just getting into a farm/corn/garden post that will tax you not the least. If you've read my blog before, you'll know my proclivity to try to incline you to answer my "Thought Questions" at the end of the post. Just warning you....you may want to stop right here, close the browser and avoid thinking overmuch.<br />
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Ohh? Still reading??? Then you will be one of the ones to post an answer!!! (smile)<br />
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One of my husbands favorite things to do is to provide us with lovely rows of delicious corn. The challenging part is trying to "guess" when it will be ready and corresponding that guesstimate with opening up a day to process said corn. We planted 3 crops this year. The first one came off the weekend we went to Klamath Falls to visit A. Virginia. So we sold it to a friend. (Hi Jessica!)<br />
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The 2nd planting ripened at a fairly agreeable time - since A. Margaret was "off work" helping out after the accident, I called her, thinking she might enjoy coming. Does she show up????? Nooooo, A. Janice comes with Grandma J. (our favorite corn cutter). (Just kidding, A. Margaret =)) <br />
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Now I knew how busy A.Janice was...but she said she wanted the corn for her freezer. We don't make a habit of turning away help =) We were blessed with Mom's presence - she arrived with knives, bowls and an apron. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little gravel doesn't hurt, right?</td></tr>
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Now, Guess what...our 3rd planting is ready and we are going away on Thurs...so, my dear husband is going to help me process 1/2 of it tomorrow afternoon. Shooo fly! We are selling the rest of it, but I do believe it's all spoken for. =) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A. Janice entertaining Stephen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma J. deftly silks our corn</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can never quite manage to get Aaron to look at the Camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, in case you were wondering; we planted Bodacious - a yellow sweet corn we've been partial to for quite a few years. However, for our 3rd planting we planted Silver Queen, a white corn that is 15 days faster to harvest. We ate some yesterday. It's good, with a shallower kernel, but not quite as sweet as Bodacious. As with life...plenty of pros and cons! <br />
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Now for a kernel of Truth from this Corn centered post. God always provides. We read tonight in devotions how the Israelites had manna given unto them until they entered Canaan and started eating the old corn. I'm pretty sure they were extremely HAPPY to be eating old corn instead of the manna they had been ingesting for their entire life. There are many things that are hard to comprehend about the Isrealites' experiences from Egypt to Canaan and settling there. We have almost no clue what life like that was like. But we do know the Kernal of Wisdom to be true. GOD PROVIDES.<br />
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Here is your thought question requiring brave answers<br />
"What is one way GOD HAS PROVIDED for you?" - even if it's old cornishAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-59382895372290930422011-08-26T09:17:00.000-07:002011-08-26T09:17:51.001-07:00Coming up....I was quite excited yesterday to blend a double batch of <b>Peach Pluot Jam</b> together and can it into beautiful little brand new jars that I purchased with the proceeds from my last Jam Jamboree. Heard Smith Ranch's last day of fruit was today, so I zipped over there after carpool and got 2 more flats of Pluots. <br />
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There are plans brewing in my head for <b>Pear Pluot Jam</b> and straight <b>Pluot Jam</b>. Someday soon I'll post pics and details (soon being a relative term - still not sure how these homeschooling Moms of 5+children manage to blog multiple times a week. Maybe they do it while their children do the schoolwork?) <br />
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There is also a <b>"Pepperonchino Post"</b> in the works, as well as <b>"Corny Day"</b>. <br />
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But first...(as always) there are special people coming for supper tomorrow night and this house looks like the domain of someone who has been sewing, supervising children and canning...You can conjure up whatever image you like! <br />
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If you are a foodie, check out my dear friend <a href="http://www.thissimplegift.blogspot.com/">Carolyn's blog</a>. If you like a truly "laughing out loud" motherhood adventure blog, <a href="http://www.livingintheshoe.blogspot.com/">go see Kendra</a>. I enjoy quite a few blogs and might crosspost from time to time.<br />
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Thought question...hehe...(very complex) I'm thinking of doing a link party re: laundry stain tips. Yes, or no?<br />
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So that's the menagerie on my mind.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788342215227455428.post-25306687069650719122011-08-16T22:06:00.000-07:002011-08-16T22:06:01.424-07:00Everyone loves the First Day of School!Who was ONE of your favorite teachers...and why?<br />
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Only a few words of narrative needed. <br />
"You know who" was up at 5:45<br />
Coffee was required! (by me - not sure he'll ever need it!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First Grader Extraordinaire.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a wee fuzzy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah for Grandmas!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 3rd Graders </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqkxvXaRfII/Tkq9_f0CyqI/AAAAAAAAASQ/7pHoJTOqCbM/s1600/IMG_7527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqkxvXaRfII/Tkq9_f0CyqI/AAAAAAAAASQ/7pHoJTOqCbM/s320/IMG_7527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFpFTvVWjeU/Tkq94A9kbBI/AAAAAAAAAS8/PUsylc09Hso/s1600/IMG_7523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFpFTvVWjeU/Tkq94A9kbBI/AAAAAAAAAS8/PUsylc09Hso/s320/IMG_7523.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>I'm still getting the hang of everyone out the door at 7:30 - but we made it =)<br />
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And you know by now....this blogger desires input, conversation, sharing, not just a whooshing sound left by lurkers. I don't care if it's anonymous, or on facebook...please answer the thought question, please with a smile on top? =) I always appreciate those of you who do! <br />
Who was ONE of your favorite teachers...and why?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04317923751462345453noreply@blogger.com15