Saturday, August 30, 2008

Faux Camping








Our old church has a camping trip every year outside of Kelso/Longview in the boonies. I charged my camera batteries so I could take a ton of pictures. Unfortunately, they were old batteries and they didn't hold a charge. Anywho, we went up to visit them for a short bit. These were the few pictures I was able to get.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Peaches are done!!!

I finally finished with the peaches! Because I haven't been feeling well I had to modify what I did with them. I ended up freezing all of them, well what we didn't eat and make into crisps and cobblers. I think I have 7 or 8 quart bags in the freezer. Peaches are way more work than blueberries but we ate the blueberries so fast that none of them ever made it into the freezer. I am so glad that we will have something for a while.

Today my mom, sister, all the kids, and I went blackberry picking. They were small and kind of squishy so we didn't pick much. I picked just enough for a crisp. I really have enjoyed the fresh produce this summer and would like to learn to can next summer. I have been saying that for a good 6 or 7 years though. It is a lot of work but man it feels good to have non processed food around. It really appeals to the pioneer women in me.

Jason's parent got a side of organic beef recently. It was the most wonderful tasting meat I can remember having since I was a kid. We had t-bone steaks with her garden fresh broccoli and french green beans, and a peach crisp that I brought. We all truly relished that meal. Jason and I would really like to buy a side of beef, too.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Peaches, Peaches, and More Peaches

I went with my Mom down to Firestone Farm yesterday and bought 'B' peaches. This means they have bruises and blemishes. So they are great for baking and cooking. Since I enjoyed the blueberries so much I decided to try peaches. We will see if I was too ambitious in a few days, most of them need a bit of ripening.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Quote of the Day

I ran across this quote today while researching something on the internet. I identify with this.

Derric Johnson in his book, Excellence is Never An Accident said, "Stress is what happens when your gut says 'NO' but your mouth says, 'Of course, I'll be glad to.'"

I would go a step farther to stay stress happens when we aren't listening to the Lord but listening selfish motives or others.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Olympics Inspired!

So our girls our finally enrolled in a sport. They will be taking swimming lessons but they don't start for 3 more weeks. But you wouldn't know it by looking at them now!

My Kids Loving The Summer Time Fun




Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Thank you Erin

It took me long enough but I finally got it up there. As you can see I need something to go on my little shelves but all in good time, it has to be the right thing.

Monday, August 11, 2008

I'm Not Ready For THIS!!!


Look who has decided that he wants to use the potty. Ahhh, I am so not ready for this. My baby boy is growing up. Tonight Buddy decided he didn't want to wear diapers anymore. What?!? Well, I had no potty chair and no undies nothing. Jason was meeting with someone at Starbucks and I had to call him to tell him that he had to come home with the potty training supplies, tons of juice, a little treat, tons and tons of undies, and a chair. He wasn't able to get a chair but he got all the rest. I guess I am potty training, who new.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Getting ready to serve


Each time they prepare communion Buddy is right there carefully examining there every move.
Funny thing, I was having camera difficulties when I took this picture. It took me several tries to take it and Emma stood there patiently posing the entire time.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Little Italy's





I know it is hard to tell by the pictures but we were really working on practicing manners over diner.

Summer Popcycle Sugar Rush




Blueberry Picking


Today I took my kids to Beaverton to pick berries with a friend who lives down there. We had a really good time and I think I ate more than I put in my bucket. I glad they are good for me!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

kitten's, books, and a little quiet


My Mom's cat had kitten's last night under Josie's careful watch. She is house sitting while my parents are camping. So this morning we went over and viewed the sweeties. Then I took the kids to the library for the first time since we moved. This library is so much nicer and larger than the one we had been going to but it doesn't have that same cozy feel. However, the kids really enjoyed themselves there. We kind of just hung out the rest of today and made chocolate covered banana's and rice crispy treats. We decided to turn the tv off for a few days so the kids are really enjoying getting caught up on their reading. I have been longing for quiet but man it takes some getting used to. I took some pictures of the kittens but forgot my camera on their fireplace mantel. So I will download them for you later. Have a great day.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

A quote from my husband

"It is not the finished product it is the process."

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Out of Town Friends





We had some long lost friends come for a visit this weekend from our old church in Auburn, Wa. Unfortunately, I wasn't super good at taking pictures this time and we missed getting a picture of everyone that was here. We had two Momma's come and 5 of their children. We cooked a lot, ate a lot, cleaned a lot, and watched a ton of movies. Thank you Erin and Robbin for coming. Love you.

Bessy and Kathra

I have been meaning to introduce you to our neighbors Bessy and Kathra. We have a large open field behind our home that Bessy and Kathra graze in everyday. We are all very entertained by our cows. One of them has been getting rather chubby these days. We are all wondering if she is going to have a baby or if they are fattening her up to butcher. But upon further inspection we realize that she looks ready to nurse so we are so thrilled to see a brand new baby soon.