Lately

The garden is growing!  As are a lot of other things around here... kittens, Molly, the grass, my belly, the laundry pile-  you know.  

I haven't taken pictures of the kittens until now.  We've been trying to slowly train a toddler on gentle strategies for petting a baby animal- phew.  Since they were born, we've told her not to touch them until their eyes opened.  Sure enough, that girl was the first one to realize that had, in fact, opened their eyes.  And seconds later, she was reaching close to get her first feel of them.  So gently, calmly, we've started holding them.  And can you tell- someone's in love?!   These kittens are probably the first real life lesson (other than the time Daddy hit a deer this winter, while Molly rode shotgun in his truck), because we started with a litter of five, and now there are just two.  Dora (mommy cat) was just a year old, and she's a small cat.  The day she had them, I could not believe five fit in her little body!  But we've learned about reality here.  I guess these things come at a young age when animals are around. 

These two cuties are up for grabs- anyone interested?!!

Ice cream night- every night, pretty much.  I've got two "birthday cake" ice cream lovers.  It's not a minute after dinner when I hear her sweet little voice "can I have birday cake, mummy?!  Daddy too?!"  It's a wonder we're all growing so well...

And this big girl, in her new big girl bed, in her new big girl room.  I can't believe it.  I joke that I must have been the only one afraid of this transition, because she loves sleeping alone.  But after months of her in our bed, and interrupted sleep for us all (fists in the face, elbows in the belly, kicks, rolls throughout the night), I think we're all happy with the "big girl room" transition.

Preparation is beginning for my favorite part of the summer, probably my favorite holiday- the Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth.  My favorite people in the world will all be gathered close, with good food, drinks (virgin for this preggo), and the best of times.  We look forward to this weekend all year!

Happy Fourth!!

Lisa

Strawberry Jam

Since Molly's first summer, which was our first summer in our home, we've made fresh strawberry jam.  It may not have turned out perfectly, but we finished it!  We're thankful for local farmers who grow these sweet berries, allowing them to ripen on the vine, which makes them taste like nothing you can buy in a store.  They're one of my favorite tastes of summer.

 

We set up a workstation in our kitchen for jam making.  It's supposed to cut down on total destruction and mess.  But this year, I had a little more help than I've had in the past ;)

 We wash the berries (while tasting some), take the stems off (while eating a few more), and then process them in a food processor for just a few pulses, until they're broken up, but not pureed.  We love having some chunky strawberry bites in our jam.  I have always used a basic recipe in my Grandmother's cookbook, but it's the same one that I found on the Sure-Jel package, and also here.  I will warn you, though, it calls for A LOT of sugar.  It's kind of a sickening amount of sugar.  And honestly, I prefer my jam a little less sweet, so we cut back.  And it's still delicious.

I've always stuck to the simpler freezer jam, but I found a few recipes that looked amazing on my search, including one by my favorite, Ina Garten.  I'm bookmarking that one- maybe next year I'll be more brave!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

 (I doubled this recipe, and got 10 jelly jars)

2 cups fresh, crushed strawberries

 4 cups sugar (we added about 2.5 cups)

1 package dry pectin (1.75 oz)

3/4 cup water

Wash and dry jelly jars (or your container of choice).

 

Crush berries until texture remains, and not pureed.  Add sugar to berries and allow to sit, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. 

In a small saucepan, mix water and pectin.  Bring to a boil, and allow to boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add pectin to berries, and stir throroughly, at least 3 minutes.

    Fill jelly jars 2/3 full with jam, apply lids, and allow to sit at room temperature for 24 hours.

Refridgerate for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 1 year.

(ours doesn't last long!)

   

 

I hope you get a chance to make some jam, it's seriously super easy, and such a sweet taste of summer (that can be enjoyed even in the freezing temps of January!)

Happy Summer!

xx,

Lisa

More Mollyisms

Sitting at the table, it's lunch time.  Molly, you can't leave until we're all done.  "That's not fair!" (insert pouty lip face)

(The playroom is a mess, a huge mess).  Molly- look at this mess!  Let's clean it up before we go outside.  (walks over to me and touches my belly) "how's your baby doing, mummy?!"

2 of our 3 cats are playing.  "Boots!  That's enough! I said enough!  I'm going to put you in time out..."

(Leaving a fire at a friend's).  "Mummy, I had the most fun.  That's my favorite day ever."

Daddy comes home from work, and immediately grabs Molly and starts tickling.  She laughs, but after a few minutes "Daddy, no more!  Go to the farm!" 

5 minutes later.  "Daddy, can I go to the farm with you?  I can help you feed the cows!"

I'm making dinner.  "Mummy, look at this big mess.  You better start cleaning it up right now!"

10 seconds later, pushing a chair toward the sink.  "I can help do the dishes!  Bring me the dirty ones."

Molly, how was your day at Diane's? (the babysitter).  "Well, I peed my pants."

Molly, it's time to go home (we're at her cousins' house).  "I don't want to!  I want to stay here".  Come on, Molly- you can see them again tomorrow.  "No, I'm running away.  (starts running from me)  Here I go!"  (seriously, where did she learn this?!)

Lying in bed, it's story time before bed.  My tummy growls.  "Oh, Mummy, I hear your baby in there!  It's so cute!"

Is this baby a boy or a girl, Molly?!  "A girl.  No, wait, I know its a boy!"  (every time, it's different)



I really need to keep up on these posts- a 2.5 year old has so much to say!   She seriously has us laughing countless times each day.  And even though she's a little mirror to my grumpy, impatient side some days- I still see a sweet girl blossoming more and more.    I still can't believe she's going to be a big sister!  Ahhh.

Happy Monday.


xx,

Lisa