I did it!!!
Yes folks, yesterday I made strawberry jam. This time it gelled and tasted great. I finally got to make a little fabric top and label my jar. It's like a bucket list relief!! That may sound dramatic but I have ALWAYS wanted to do this...whew!
Ok, so my canning experience was a bit of a flop. For one, I thought I was going strawberry picking, and I didn't know that there wasn't any until late next month. Instead, we went to the farmers market and got some there. That day, we had to run a bunch of errands, so I didn't get home till around 5pm. I was still determined, but at this point I was kind of wiped out (not a good time to take on something new). I had expectations of this wonderful day calmly canning with the kids. It ended up with me stressed and frustrated the whole time. I did can some strawberry jam but it looks runny. Madison loves it so at least it won't all go to waste. I will not give up though. I'm just going to have to try again...yes I can!!!
The whole weekend was not a flop though.
We planted two more raspberry bushes and one blackberry bush.
My lettuce box is really sprouting.
Tyler and I had a blast doing this seed project for school.
I'm enjoying the yearly blessing of birds building nests in our ferns.
canning recipe and instruction book, CHECK!
canner and utensils, CHECK!
jars and lids, CHECK!
thrifted vintage strawberry apron (that I happened to magically find today), CHECK!
All I need now is to go strawberry picking tomorrow, so I can get home and get busy!! This will be my first time canning and I'm super thrilled. As you can see, it doesn't take much to excite me.
Yesterday I made blueberry smoothies. I wanted to see how my immersion blender would work with a smoothie. It was fast and easy. I love that thing. The smoothie was super yummy!! Tyler loved it.
Here is the recipe I used:
This recipe allows the enjoyment of the blueberry in little pieces as well as in the smoothie itself. By adding small blueberry pieces to the finished smoothie, the fun is in eating the fruit pieces.
1/4 cup of wild blueberries
1/4 cup of wild blueberries chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 a banana
1/2 cup of ice
Directions:
Start by blending the ice, banana, honey, and unchopped blueberries on a high speed. Add the chopped blueberries into a cup before pouring the smoothie. Stir and enjoy a great fruity smoothie.
*I blended all the bluberries because I don't really like mine chunky.
I just don't have words to express the joy of homemade ice cream. I made some strawberry ice cream last night, and I can honestly say it is the best ice cream I have ever had in my whole life. If you even remotely like ice cream, you would LOVE this. The great thing is that with an ice cream maker it is so so EASY! I can't believe I didn't get one sooner!!!
and yes, it is cold and snowing outside and i'm making ice cream....spring, please come soon.
Tyler, my future chef, really enjoyed making it.
I used this recipe that came with the ice cream maker.
I also gave my new immersion blender a spin. I made veggie soup. Instead of lugging out the food processor and spending like ten minutes pureeing the veggies, I got it done in about 30 seconds. My soup also had a much better texture and was tastier! Oh, I love my new gifts!!!
I started the day with my sad little attempt to make chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes.
I gave the kids a couple of gifts and candy. I wanted to give them each a hand made gift. I made Tyler a crayon roll and tried to make a tote for Madison. I had major issues sewing the straps. I used a thick polka dot canvas and my machine could not sew through the straps. I broke a needle and gave up. I might try to do it manually. Here is the crayon roll I made for Tyler. I also made one for my niece Lily but I forgot to take a picture before I sent it. I used this tutorial.
Willy surprised me with some things I've been wanting badly! He bought me an ice cream maker and an immersion blender. I can't wait to make ice cream, smoothies, soups, etc...
After pancakes and gift giving, the boys went rock climbing and Madison and I went shopping. We finished the day together with dinner at Olive Garden. The more I eat out, the more I'd rather eat at home. Every time we eat out I end up feeling over full and plain yucky! The food tastes great in the moment, but there is a price to pay!!
We took some pics before we left the house.
Looking at these pictures made me feel so blessed and loved...i guess thats what Valentine's Day is all about!!!
So I came up with a great idea for Tyler's lunch. He usually won't each lunch meat in bread, so I started making him these little kabobs. Even his teachers have commented on it, which of course made me feel good.
Speaking of Tyler, I like these shots I got of him the other day:
We're trying to grow out his hair into one of those "surfer cuts", but I'm finding the process a little frustrating.
I bought some stuff and redecorated my buffet. I'm liking it.
Shes got spirit!!! Madison after a UM game:
has been the theme for this spring break. Sunday was especially nice since it was the first barbecue of the season. It was only some hot dogs but the smell was so yummy. I also made some lemonade, and Willy made bruschetta with some tomatoes my Dad gave me from his garden. It was so good.
Some pics of that evening:
So all this took place on April Fools Day. Both of my little ones tricked me. Madison and Willy got together and made me think Madison had gotten hurt...wasn't to funny, and Tyler who didn't even know it was a day for tricking, got some plastic sunglasses by me at the supermarket that he wanted. Ugh! 
Today was fun, it was the first time in the pool since last year. I was very worried about Tyler swimming because of his swim plugs, but they worked great. Phew! They had so much fun. For me it just felt like one of those moments were everything is perfect. Sun shining... breeze blowing...kids swimming...hot dogs grilling...lemonade sipping and a little Dixie Chics in the background.
I'm off to get Madison an Easter dress. I am praying I can convince her on this one, I love it!
