Happenings

Summer went by so quickly now its labor day and my kid are putting up fall window clings as I type, although it is still 90 degrees here in Chicagoland.

In May my family took a road trip out east. We visited my cousin, went to Baltimore zoo, DC, Ocean City, Assateague Island. It was a wonderful trip. We stayed with my cousin for a few days met my adorable new nephew, then went off to the beach. I grew up on the east coast, lots of beach life memories came up. It was a wonderful trip. After this trip and our February trip to Florida, we have become a family that drives. I actually really enjoy it. Most of the time I just listen to audible books on my phone.  For a mom, Its nice to just sit for a day :).

In June we had a nice time seeing my grandmother while she visited my uncle, my grandmother is like my kindred spirit or something like that. I remember getting up super early (and I am NOT a morning person) to spend time with her alone when I was a child. A little over a year ago my grandfather passed away, it has broken her heart they were married for over 60 years. It was so hard on us all, but just seeing the loss in her eyes is just heart breaking. Otherwise June was pretty mellow, just getting into our summer groove with visits to the library. We also had a birthday party at the pool for E my 7 year old.

July was a much busier month baseball games with grandparents, raging waves, zoo visit, girl scout camp, western parties, E started taekwondo. This month seemed to fly by quickly. My neighbor was getting rid of a table and I grabbed it to redo it, I think it turned out adorable it Letterpress Grey paint, I was debating keeping it (I definitely do not need another table) or selling it. I posted it, on bookoo.com but no hits on it yet, I have never sold anything like this before. So I guess my hopes and dreams of opening a little painting business might have been hurt a little bit, Hopefully with a better picture it will sell :).

CSA shot with new lens

Items from our garden

August brought two birthday, my son's, R he turned 3. After seeing his sisters party he wanted to have one badly we did a small party at the splash pad with some friends. He is still beaming about ever since. My birthday is the last day of August, the weekend before we got to on on a wonderful trip to the WI dells with my in laws for the weekend. My hubby and I don't usually do big gifts for birthdays, but this year I really wanted a new camera lens, a 50mm. It takes beautiful pictures. The other big August event is back to school. My 7 year old started the second grade. She has been rocking it too. I was ready for melt down central after school. I will say my husband and I have decided no more play dates directly after school has helped with the melt downs.  Its just such a long day she needs some downtime. Even adults can get cranky after such a long day. I also canned/freeze many fresh fruits and veggies. I made jam, homemade soup, salsa, pickles and mango chutney. Lots of fun. We also joined a local CSA, I have been looking looking up new recipes and trying new things. My kids also love getting our boxes and go through them/get excited about them. I have to say it has definitely helped them try new veggies.  We have a very small garden at home too, that they just love too. I am hoping to make a bigger one next year.

Summer flew by looking forward to Fall fun, after all it is my favorite season. This are starting to get going here, Coffee break (bible study), GEMS (my moms group),  Girl Scouts (Im a leader), AWANA (surprise, also a leader)...I have also decided to do a small job 2 hours a week leading a enrichment class for Classical Conversations. I do not homeschool, but loving this opportunity to have a creative outlet.

Farm (esthers place)  I visited with the girl scouts, love this little place

Its been a while

Some people consider January 1 the beginning of the year, to me the beginning of the year is now...school is starting, life is getting back into order, schedules are being made, plans are being made. So I begin with some of my plans first about blogging/life.  Last year I decided to start blogging about our life and well life took over. I found myself not having the extra time to blog. I am going to give this a whirl again with some goals.

My blogging goals:

1.  I really do not know much about blogging, learn more and share with you all.

2. make at least 2 new posts per week (starting small is the key..)
****make sure to take pictures (this really should be hard but it is)

3. Share interesting things I read on my facebook page


Some other goals this fall for my life:


1. homeschool preschool my three year old, R. I use to be a preschool teacher so this should be simple.
*****do this at least 3 days per week at 9am. I am thinking Monday, Wednesday, Friday--no excuses
*****on this note, I need to make sure to take pictures and share with you our journey

2. Make sure I am leaving open time for grocery shopping, home work, cooking

3. Make sure I make time for people, real people not just on social media :)

4. Read my bible daily, I do this pretty well. I am going to try a more focused approach such as on patience...must be on my mind since I could use this with my three year old.

5. Spend time with my now...sigh...second grader alone. My favorite time of the day with her is before bed while we read and chat. We are currently reading Little House on the Prairie. The issue is that I am exhausted by this time...

6. Make sure I get at least 20 minutes of downtime at nap time without my phone, computer etc.

7. focused talk/alone time with my husband at night..without our phones in our hands..those messages/emails can wait :)



Those are some lofty goals for my time, phew. I look forward to sharing it all with you.

Salsa making

I have been super into canning and freezing fresh veggies this month. This past weekend I have made salsas. There is just something satisfying about storing up these summer goodies for a cold winters night.

Here is the recipe I used:
adapted from http://dinnerforacrowd.blogspot.com/2009/08/mom-thorpes-amazing-bottled-salsa.html

Salsa:

About 10 pounds of tomatoes from my garden/farmers market
1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
3 anahiem peppers. deseeded and diced
1 jalapeno, deseeded and diced
1 bunch of celery
1 sweet onion
1 red onion
2 tablespoons sugar
juice of two lemons (put in mirco for a few minutes to get the juices flowing)
a few turns of a pepper grinder
1.5 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon salt (to taste)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
3 cloves of garlic
pickled jalapeno (about 4) and juices (about 2 tablespoons) this makes it have a lovely favor


---this made my salsa VERY runny. I added a mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken up on a whim. I did not want to go to the store mid process for the salsa pectin, but I would recommend it.


First blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for about 1 minute. This helps loosen the skin. Peel the skin off. You can put a slit with a knife but i just used my fingers, it was a simple process. Quarter the tomatoes and and to your stock pot. diced all your other ingredients and add the the pot. Let it simmer for about 4 hours. If you add the salsa pectin I would do it toward the end here.

For canning:

*******A note on my canning: I have not bought all the expensive equipment. I find it works just as well with a few large stock pots. the one thing I did buy that has made all the difference is canning thongs, a funnel and a magnetic stick to get your lids. It was only about 7 dollars at meijer.**********


boil your lids for about 15 minutes.
Boil your canning jars for about 15 minutes.
Remove jars with thongs, put your funnel on your jar your about to can. Ladle salsa into jar. Put lid on and place back into your boiling pot of water for about 15 minute. Take out and wait for the ping. Thats it.


Canning is really no big deal and its not scary. Trust me, you can do it easily.

Thats it, enjoy your salsa!

Feb-April happenings

Well time does really fly around here. I am starting to agree with the statement "your kids are the age of  oldest child". We rarely have a dull moment around here.  We are excited to turning the corner on the weather front. Its kind of at the point were every few days we get a really great warm day. In March we kept super busy. Girl Scouts always keeps me (and my family) on our toes. March was our big booth sales, which this was our first year doing that. The girls seemed to really enjoy it. I, as the leader, enjoy that the girls are actually selling. There are some more rules about girl scouts then when I was a kid, they do not promote going door to door anymore.

March also brought St Patrick's day in which we made our traditional corn beef and cabbage. We also made some rainbows, which is fun. These past few months we have been lacking in the craft department. Mostly, because E is beat after school. She is like a train reck most days, we just need to have a cool down time. Also I have added a few things to help her improve her writing skills. She also started piano this past year so she practices often. She has been managing her time pretty well, but still needs so reminders. I made a little reminder sheet for her which has worked out well for her. Also R always wants to get right to playing with E when she comes home. That has been a bit challenging.

April has been going by quickly. First off Easter, the most amazing time of year. I just love the newness  that Easter brings. That we are all saved through what Jesus did for us, if we choose to accept him. It always amazing me the persecution  he went through to save us, the people being hurtful, physical pain,  doubt of his disciples...but he still loved us so much to go through all of it for you and me. Its like every hurtful thing I can think of, he went through at some point for me. Its amazing. Here we are getting hung up on our little hurts and he went through hurts we will most likely never have to endure. It really puts things into perspective for me.

For Easter my daughter and I had some fun making treats. We made these cheese cake cookies. Super simple to make the link is here:http://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2014/04/02/fruit-cheesecake-sugar-cookie-cups/. We also made some chocolate covered peeps, which was a lot of fun and even more simple.  I recently got a double broiler which was nice for melting the chocolate. So much better I believe. I have done the microwave it works ok if you stir constantly. Also dipping the sticks in the chocolate to have the peeps stay on the sticks helped a lot. My kids hard a ton of fun with it.

April also has brought some yard work, birthday parties, girl scout field trips, projects at home, 5k for brain cancer, baby showers, a wake, a visit from lifelong friends, lots of meal making for those in need around me, PADS ending, bible studies finishing up, good bye parties of good friends that are moving soon.
 Currently I am finishing up a bible study at my home, we did The Best Yes. I really have enjoyed it. The most important thing I have picked up from it, and I have blogged about respecting peoples no's here: http://motherhoodandtheinbetween.blogspot.com/2014/06/no-means-no.html , is not to delay your No answers, respect others No's and not to answer right away (pray first) but as soon as you know the answer respond.

Last weekend my neighbors and I threw a bird themed shower for a wonderful couple that we have become great friend with, they adopted a little girl. The shower bird themed. It was just perfect I believe, I just love the way we all worked together. I was in charge of the favors, I made these bird seed favors. Very easy to make, the directions are here: http://www.pinkpistachio.com/homemade-birdfeeder/. Others did a bird themed trivia game, a sign in sheet and the S and our craft was making a block set for the family.


Early in the year I finished up a study at my church on Gideon with Pricilla Shier, I really enjoyed. Right now we are finishing up a study called "Conversation Piece" It really has challenged me to be more intentional with my speech. I have loved it, I recommend it.

We are also finishing up AWANA in May  that my whole family attends, AWANA has a been a blessing to my whole family. Seeing my children's spiritual growth through AWANA and other sources has been amazing. I have gained some great relationships through AWANA and the children that are impacted. They are really writing God's word in their hearts.  I really see God working through this ministry.

May is going to bring some slow down with the end of school. We are all looking forward to some summer plans we have coming up, swim lessons, swimming, camps, VBS, camping, visiting family. It will be a fun filled summer.

Happenings...

Its been a long while since I have blogged. So here is a bit of a update.

Halloween was a fun time. My daughter just loves dressing up and seeing all our neighbors. It was very cold this year. But she was set on getting a ton of candy, which she did.  My husband was a trooper and took her all over. My 2 year old and I did a bit and ended up coming back. He was not so into the cold. We spent a lot of time in September/ October visiting apple/pumpkin farms. Its one of our favorite family fall traditions. Fall is my very favorite season, and I just love the excitement of my kids when we do these things.  Apple cider, warm doughnuts and crisp apples...thinking about this is getting me excited for next fall.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were wonderful. My daughter and I  did all sorts of projects. cooking, crafts.  For Thanksgiving my parents came to visit. My husband and my Dad worked on some projects, we were thrilled to get some work done. My mom and I spent about 2 days getting our Thanksgiving dinner together. I was so thrilled to have them and my uncle/cousin come over for dinner.  Soon after Thanksgiving we got to celebrate my beautiful grandma in Laws birthday. Such a sweet occasion. Christmas was wonderful. My daughters love language is quality time (not unlike me) and she had all sorts of ideas with Christmas crafts, baking and gingerbread houses...which ended up falling apart. For some reason this is just one thing I can not master. But out of love of my daughter I do it each year.  The Christmas season is so joyful. I also made many gifts this year, boot toppers, chalk boards and silver trays, body scrub, soup jars and ornaments of course. My daughter, Mom and I made these beautiful nativity sets for Christmas too.

We had so many fun thing we do such as caroling with the girl scouts, holiday walk in our town filled with fun activities, a huge extended family Christmas party (that I vow each year to brush up on my holiday trivia and forget too), and a very fun cookie decorating/craft christmas party at my home with the girl scouts.  On Christmas eve we headed to my in laws early in lou of a storm that ended up not happening and spent the day there and on Christmas. Getting there early aloud us to see my sister in laws lovely new home. We had our 2nd annual day in our PJs. I just love being home on Christmas and taking it easy. Afterward we had a my favorite week of the year, The week between Christmas and New Years, my husband takes the week off and we stay home, go out to eat, take it easy after all the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

January was a rough month for me, I am a leader of many things such a bible study I hold at my home, AWANA leader, Girl Scout leader and active in my daughters class. Besides being a leader I am in other things such as Coffee break (bible study at my church), a titus 2 mentoring program through my church, ABF and a mom's group GEMS.  I ended up getting very sick for about 3 weeks.  I had to cancel or pull through a lot of things. Throughout the month I was just praying I would get better for our upcoming vacation to visit my parents/grandma and disney trip. Luckily I felt much better just a few days before we left and we had an amazing trip.

Superbowl sunday we had a blizzard which was beautiful, cold and dangerous. I love all the seasons, and I love a good snow day at home. We ended up still having friends over for the Superbowl.  I am not a huge sport person. I can appreciate it though. A lot of times I end up just knitting or doing a project when its on.  Anyway I did not do as much food as I usually do since we were getting geared up for our upcoming trip. But I ended up liking the low key-ness of it. I seem to over do parties sometimes since I just love planning parties, cooking and hosting any event really.

Which bring me pretty much up to date. My parents recently moved to Florida by the ocean. We have been going on a disney vacation about every other year or so since we became parents. This was our 4th trip in 6 years. This was our first trip driving the 18.5 hours to Florida. It was such a better experience then flying and having our car etc. I dreaded this drive for a very long time, but my kids were AMAZING. I have a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old. Anyway on the way there we drove it in 2 days and on the way home we did it in one day. We were forced to do so due to upcoming weather but it went well.  My kids were tired since we left at 5am and from the long trip so they napped a lot. We were in Florida for 8 days and disney for 4 days.  I will post about what worked for us in Disney and in the car.  Having a trip with grandparents was priceless! The memories that were made were so special. When I was a child my grandparents went on vacation with us or took just  the grandkids on vacation. Those are some of my most prized memories. Being able to have my kids have those memories with their grandparents brings me such joy.

Yes we were in Florida for Valentines Day, which was nice because the hubby and I got to have a little date without having to pay for a babysitter. It was a bit brisk that day but we ended up eating by the water for lunch, hitting up an art festival and just walking by the water. It was lovely to have that time as a couple (thanks Mom and Dad).  Especially after a busy week of Disney World and visiting family. I would have to say one of my favorite things has always been spending time with my grandma. She is my last living grandparent. As a child/teen I would always love a visit from my grandparents. She has always been a early riser, although I am not a morning person, I would get up super early to just chat with her. So spending this time with her was so meaningful. Especially since I lost my grandfather last year, it really made me see the importance of time. Isn't that the thing we are all wanting, more time. For me, it has always been real genuine quality time I crave with those I love. I think I had that with her and my parents.

We came back from our awesome trip Sunday about midnight. My daughter and husband still had Monday off and we spent the day getting things back to normal, unpacking, getting our dog etc. I loved our vacation, and I so needed a break from the norm of cooking, housework etc..but one thing that is so true is that there is no place like home.