love is the answer

Camping: Foster Falls, TN

A weekend of camping, climbing and chilling with family and friends.

 

After camping breakfast in Chattanooga, TN.

  

 

Mt. Mitchell

Great Saturday!!  We drove to Mt. Mitchell.  We stopped along the way and had lunch in downtown Burnsville.  What a cute town.  It reminded me of Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls).  Along the way we stopped to pet horses, pick wild flowers and check out a new campground.  Mt. Mitchell was beautiful but foggy so some of the views were limited.  My kind of day!

Yes I Can!!!

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.

 
 

Spritz Cookies

Recently, I went to a consignment store and found a cookie press.  It was a pampered chef cookie press.  I usually love stuff from this company.  I have a garlic press from them which is phenomenal!  Unfortunately, the cookie press did not work.  I went on-line and found that is has terrible reviews.  At this point though, I had a batch of dough and a strong desire to make these cookies.  I went and bought a Wilton cookie press ultra II.  This one worked perfectly!!  The kids enjoyed trying it too.  I went to get my camera, to take pics and when I came back, there was Tyler, using it in his own special way.  Yes, it is not only a cookie press but a shooting machine, ugh!!  I have never been in to buying him anything that resembles a gun but, boys will be boys...I guess.

In other news, my garden is doing well.  I am planting and growing all these veggies yet, I am in denial that I will actually grow real food.  Maybe its because its my first time.  I just use patience, patience, patience.  I can't stop checking on my guys to see if anything new is happening.

I have been looking for small magical touches to add in my yard.  I was so excited the other day when I came across this dude at Goodwill.  Isn't he just perfect?

A Warm Day

We are finally having a bit of warm weather here.  On Monday, we enjoyed it by planting some seeds and getting our garden ready.  I bought this book to use as my gardening bible.  I read it cover to cover and I am doing exactly what it tells me to do.  I really want to enjoy having my own organic produce in the  months to come.

On this day, according to the book, it said to plant pepper and lettuce seeds.  I used paper egg cartons instead of little pots.  I read somewhere that when your seeds sprout, you can just cut them apart and put them directly into the ground.

We wrote with a sharpie on popsicle sticks to identify our seeds.

I bought all the supplies for my four square garden and got to work.  First, we had to drill holes in the 2 by 6 by 4 untreated wood. 

Next, we used screws to put the box together. 

The third step was shoveling the grass out of the 4 by 4 area. 

After that, we put weed cloth over the area.

Then, we placed the frame on top. 

Now this is where a lot of hard work came in.  We had to mix compost, peat moss and vermiculite on a tarp.  This was a bit tricky, but we got it done.  The picture only shows some the compost, so trust me when I say we had a huge pile of stuff to mix and move. 

Finally, we filled the box with our new perfect soil.  We still need to make a grid for the top.  Hopefully today will be that day.  Since I still have extra soil, I want to buy some more wood to make a 3 by 3 foot garden for Tyler.

Thank You Mr. Sun for FINALLY coming out!!!

  

Homemade Ice Cream

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!!!

 

A Valentine Package

Yesterday the kids received a Valentine package of goodies from my mom.  It's always so fun to get mail.  Especially from my mom, who always decorates the outside of the package so beautifully.  There were a few highlights that the kids really enjoyed.  It was a great day to receive goodies since it was a snow day and we were bored.  It was the 9th snow day this year.  We are on the tenth one today.  The kids actually have to go to school on Saturday...what a bummer!

Anyways, back to the package. Madison received a journal that she basically spent the rest of the day writing in.  That girl never gets sick of a new journal.  There is an insane collection in her room.  The cutest thing my mom  made her was a cell phone card.  Madison got such a kick out of it.

  
 

Now, I know most of you have been exposed at some point to the Where's Waldo? books.  Tyler loves these, so you can imagine how much he loved this box from his Nana!  Can you find him?

scroll down a bit

 

There he is!

This was too too cute and wonderfully creative!!!!  Inside the box was polymer clay and instructions for making some animals with it.  My mom printed them from here.  Tyler wanted to get right to it.  His little critters came out adorable.  We already are going to need more clay!

 

 On another note, I made some red velvet cupcakes.  I love red velvet for Valentine's Day.  I made the same ones as last year. Yummy!  I had to leave some plain because Tyler does not like icing on his.

 
  
   

The 4th of July

We went to Greenlife to buy some dinner picnic stuff and headed out to see some fireworks.  This year was a bit emotional for me.  I deeply missed my family and friends and even got a bit teary during the fireworks.  We did have fun though.

Look Ma! No training wheels!

Yep! That's right! Willy took Tyler's training wheels off today.  Amazingly enough, he was riding it that way in about 10 minutes.  He was soooo proud of himself.

My sister's baby shower was a success!  We had a really great time.  My Mom was a bit hit with the topiary favors she made and the beautiful pots she painted.  Marcy seemed happy and at ease.  A perfect gathering.

IT WOULD REALLY MEAN A LOT TO ME IF...

This is a new game we started today in my family.  I was cleaning earlier and felt so frustrated.  Specifically upset with Willy and the kids for all their messes that I seem to end up cleaning all the time.  After awhile, I realized I was living in the problem, rather than the solution.  I had an idea to start the "It would really mean a lot to me game."  I called a family meeting at the sofa, and told everyone that they could each pick something for the week (that would really mean a lot to them) that the rest of the family would have to do.  Each week we pick a new thing but continue doing the old ones.
This weeks:
Willy:  That we keep the kitchen cabinets closed.
Me:  That shoes are put away, and socks go in the hamper.
Madison:  That we give her more homework support.
Tyler:  That we ride bikes together on Monday and Thursday. 

Now, here are SOME OF the vacation pictures from Boston (I'll do New Hampshire tomorrow):
BOSTON-

By the way, has anyone else eaten way too many Girl Scout cookies?  I just love those Tagalongs!