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Showing posts with label blueberry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blueberry. Show all posts

Friday, September 16, 2011

Preserving Blueberries

Daily Verse or Quote: 

You are not managing an inconvenience, you are raising a human being. Children reflect the treatment they receive. - Kittie Frantz







Despite feeling under the weather and forgetting about the pounds of blueberries in my freezer, I had a fabulous week. Fortunately I got my act together and had a preserving party with the kids yesterday afternoon. 


Deirdre and Jonas absolutely love to 'help' Mama. I put help in quotes because it's their intention and desire to help me, even if it actually slows me down. Nonetheless, I accept it with a smile and can see their eager heart behind it. 


The kids were able to help me add the sugar and lemon juice. They also got to help me get our jars ready and even stir the pot. But Mama had to do all the hot pouring and smashing in my mixer. I broke my mixer early this year. It is a dear wedding present from my home-group and thanks to my Father-in-law it works again! BUT I now am much more careful with it- which means the kids don't get to touch it or its buttons. But they do not mind. Since we practice Love and Logic at home and they get lots of other options in their day, they do not mind it when I make a choice for them. 


So here are the photos of our results. I use a my own improved pectin free recipe so my preserves stay in the fridge, but I like it that way. Preserving that day was a nice trip down memory lane of our blueberry picking trip and a great reminder of God's great and generous provision for us and especially my family. 












Also (just for the record- yep I am about to go on another tangent) while I am positive on my blog about my home life and my kids, we do have our struggles. I do get frustrated with them and I do at times feel overwhelmed. These times pass and I move on quickly since I have a God given peace. So in this place I choose not to dwell on them. This is a honest place of positive reflection. Because when I look back on my day, the little two minute long fight my kids had over the crayon does not color the rest of the great time they played together for over an hour. And even in my worst moments with my kids, I do not think (as a mature adult) that gives me the right call my children names or to cuss at them or to verbally abuse them.  


So if you came to this place to find this, I am sorry to disappoint you. I've been on the receiving end of verbal abuse and other abuse as a child and its no fun. And being 'real' about parenting in my book does not include that. But feel free to stick around if you'd like to know more about being a compassionate, quirky, loving, and intentional parent. I am a huge mess but by God's daily grace I sure do try my best! 



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Blueberries for Sal



Today we went on our much missed family outing. Since Craig has been working crazy hours, we have not be able to go on our weekly family outings, much to Deirdre's chagrin. However today was the perfect day to do one. We've been in our new home for a week now and we are settled - so now let's go on an adventure! An adventure inspired by her favorite book, "Blueberries for Sal."


And off we went to the Pungo Blueberry Farms in Virginia Beach! It was a lovely family friendly place (restrooms, sheltered picnic areas, cold water, and wagons to help you carry the little ones around). The farm was also family owned and the really cared about their farm and its patrons. They even had a cute play blueberry figure! I will so come again next year!



The kids were in heaven, despite the heat. Deirdre actually picked some while singing a song about a blueberry gnome named bill whom was protecting her from the blueberry troll name grimace.








Jonas just ran from bush to bush stuffing his face. He was wild and having so much fun. We did not care how many berries he ate or how far he tarried, he was loving life and will surely remember this experience for years to come. Family fun.  











Bonne Nuit, Mes Amies

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

::right now::

Right now, I am...
:: relishing this recent bout of mild summer weather here in Virginia. I know that it will not last and soon we will be inside or in the water most days. 
:: feeling a bit wary about the impending move in a month and a half.  I have lots of packing to do and a husband who is working 40+ hour weeks. 
:: doing a lot of yard work since the hubby is working so much. Which means I am literally up to my elbows in all sorts of poop. I still love my cloth diapers though! And rabbit poop is by far the poop I like best, with goose poop coming in last. 
:: missing my childhood summers on my surfboard. I cannot wait until I can be there again but with my kids at my side. Even better! 
:: loving that my baby brother passed his behind-the-wheel test and now has his license. You rock Luke! 
:: picking the first blueberries EVER from my blueberry bushes. They were worth all the care and wait! Oh and we have raspberries! 
:: awaiting our next family trip to the Eastern Shore, its lovely there! The blueberry festival is going to be fun! 
:: wishing frozen yogurt was free. We are regulars at BerryBody now.
:: cherishing Jonas' blooming personality. He is bubbling with curiosity and he is so so proud of himself when Mommy understands what he is saying! 
:: appreciating Deirdre's patience when her little brother is hogging Mommy's lap. We big sisters have to have a lot of patience sometimes! 
Hoping you all have a blessed week filled with sweet summery moments! 


Frozen Yogurt! 

The Eastern Shore! 


The old farmhouse (1700s) adjacent to my Aunt and Uncle's restored farmhouse. 


My little brother Luke and I on the Eastern Shore.  Luke is 17 and I am 24.