Making Independence Day Memorable!

Quickly grabbed a family picture. 

 

 

             As suspected those outfits lasted less than 30 minutes

Yesterday was a time for fun, food, and celebration. I have decided we need to do this more often. Celebrate that is. We live in a country where we are free to say what we want. Free to live as we choose. Freedom is something I do not take for granted. In quiet moments I was thankful for those who have served (past and present) to give my family freedom it enjoys.

This I was in the mood to plan a party. It has been a while. In the end it was a blast for all ages. We were so thankful to be able to spend the time with friends. 

Baby's first 4th of July

Driveway Pyrotechnics! Andrew was in heaven!

Savoring Summer ~ First Fruits

I was able to pick my first vegetables of the year today. Just a few weeks ago I was sure I wouldn't have much of a garden. I was running late in everyway. My seeds never took (not one of them) and then getting the garden plowed by a kind neighbor was wonderful but not in "my timing".

None the less,  a lot of work, even more sunshine, a little rain and Whalaa! We have beautiful squash, and a few bitty green beans. My son picked the Green Pepper a little early but he was so proud of himself. He has been helping me every step of the way this year. It was been so very nice to have him enjoy it too. His little buttons were bursting as he carried the pepper back in the house.

So today I am going to savor my summer vegetables. Thanks to Renee for encouraging me to stop and enjoy the little moments in this wonderfully busy season!

Savoring Summer ~ Outdoors

I am inspired by Renee' over at FIMBY's summer time challenge. That got me to thinking about what I am savoring the most. That would be the outdoors.

Hiking up the side of a mountain to see what the Grey Fox saw

Seems like there is little time to write and blog these days. With two little boys my days are filled with outdoor adventures, growing and preserving the taste of summer, and keeping up with everyday life too. It has been a little quiet here for the past few weeks...mostly because life is not quiet on the front lines.

Swimming at the Lake

I have tried a few new recipes that I love ( I am pretty sure I will never buy chocolate syrup every again), and planned a few parties that are coming up. I can't wait to share them but the details are still swirling yet. I am sure of one things though. I am taking as many quiet moments to savor the season. The season of mothering a pre-schooler and baby. The warmth of the season outdoors. The green growth of the season. It is refreshing and strengthening.

Caring for the baby cows after our Appalachian Train hike

Enjoying the cool river current

Tupperware Tuesday - Jam Making Is So Easy!

Andrew helped me pick the Strawberries...









.... and Luke enjoyed eating them!

That seemed like all we could handle for one day so I put the fresh picked strawberries into my trusty Tupperware Fridgesmart container. These containers seriously keep produce about 3 times longer than putting them in the vegetable drawer.

Usually I mash the strawberries but this year I threw them in the chopper.

They came out beautiful and perfect for jam. instead of your whole berries the rough chop allowed the fruit to distribute better than the berries floating to the top.

I then poured them into a post and followed the directions in the box's recipe. When it was ready I poured them into my Freezermates.

 I love these things because they stack neatly and allow me to fit lots more into my Freezer. I also love that they prevent any kind of freezer burn.  Now we will have fresh tasting jam for as long as I can make it last!

Bugs Be Gone!

After 10 years of having Lyme Disease I have a hatred for Ticks, and who likes bug bites in the first place? I also hate to put Deet on my sweet babies so I went in search of what essential oils I might use to keep bugs including Ticks away from them this summer. Many recipes keep mesquitoes and ants away but don't repel Ticks which is much worse in my opinion. Note: one oil that comes highly recommended for Tick repellant is Rose Geranium. I didn't have it on hand for this batch, but I will be getting some!


After doing some research I had a list of good oils for the job, a list of safe carrier oils, and other ingredients that can be good to go on the skin. From there I made my own up. Here goes:

Elizabeth's Bug Be Gone recipe

8oz Witch Hazel
2 teaspoons Organic Olive Oil
1 1/2 teaspoons Essential Oils (equal parts Lavender, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Lemongrass, and Peppermint)
Aloe Vera Gel (optional)

I mixed it all up in a pint sized Mason jar and  started out by adding 10 drops each and then added a few more at a time until I got 1 1/2 teaspoons and added that to the mix. Shook well and poured it in small spray bottles that I found at Wal-Mart for $1 each. I highly recommend you use a small funnel. Put lid on and shake well between pouring so oils don't separate on you.

I poured half the mixture into 2 - 2oz. bottles.
I added 2 teaspoons Aloe Vera Gel to the remaining 2 bottles.


Each time I re-apply the spray I shake well, and because this is a Deet free spray, I re-apply every 30 minutes to an hour honestly. I was not sure in the beginning how it would smell with so many oils in the mix but honestly I love it! It has many different notes that hit the senses. One perk it is also supposed to be a good spider repellant too!

Naptime Projects

Having two little ones in the house. I often find myself wishing I had a double to get projects done that require the kids to be out of reach. On occasion they will give me a Random Act of Kindness and both nap at the same time.

When that happens I either crawl into bed myself, or jump into action! Today was a jump into action day. I was given a plastic picnic table for the kids. It has been well loved already by another family. I was debating what to do with it...until another friend posted pictures of her table.

My good friend Jenni bought spray paint for plastic, and made her table look new! Her pictures inspired me to do the same.

So as soon as I saw the boys both headed for sleep at the same time, I began to plan! I scrubbed the table while they played after lunch and let it dry in the sun. As soon as they were tucked in their beds. I went to work taping off the different parts. Oh my goodness it was so easy. It is a hot sunny day so it was drying fast which allowed me to put on repeat coats until they were shiny and brand new looking.

I think I am going to spray paint everything I can get my hands on now! Once I was done with the table, I grabbed the Rustoleum spray paint and went to work on my favorite little Bistro dining set. It has been rusting for the past year, and I am so sentimental about this table. It is where many many discussions, plans, and fun was had by Matt and I when we were first married (10 years ago this year *gasp*)

So in less than an hour a table, and dining set lifted to new looking. Next project is to spray paint those chairs in the garage that Matt wanted to throw away. What a fun nap time project!

Pretty {Potato} Posies

As promised, my Trash Bag Potato's progress! I had no idea they produced such pretty flowers. They are simply beautiful. When the plant flowers it means there are baby potatoes (aka New Potatoes) in there starting to grow.

 At this point you can dig a few up to eat, then leave the rest to mature. I think this year I will just leave them all in there to grow. This year gardening has been such a pleasure, now that we have found the three year old's gardening strength That is a whole 'nother post! Today I invite you to enjoy God's bountiful beauty.

Rhubarb Strawberry Pie Filling

I finished off the last of my Rhubarb preserving this week just as Strawberries were coming into season, so I decided to overlap them into a delicious pie filling that will be all ready for pie crust whenever I need a tartly sweet treat!

chopped red splendor

After cooking down the sugar, lemon juice, and Rhubarb in go the Strawberries.

I just love the smell, taste, texture, and vibrancy of this pie filling! I didn't have a family recipe to use for this project so I turned to my New favorite recipe collection, The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving I have about 20 recipes from there book marked to try. Wonder how long it will take to try em all? Ha!

Just enough leftover for one. Yum!

Fun in the sun has my garden Popping!

Spending a lot of time in the heat out tending my garden the past few weeks.  My Trash Bag Potatoes have flowers on them and the bags are filled. I am planning to dig up some New Potatoes this week. So amazing to see how easy this was to get started, and how very little work has been required to grow these. (Pictures to come)

One goal I had this year was to try to get out daily. Something I have not been able to do in years past. I was committed to see how weed control would help (or not help) with plant health and growth. I cannot believe how the Tomatoes that were just tiny things, and peppers have tripled in size and some have flower buds on them already. I really do think weed control has been helping. The hoe and rake have been good friends. The real key though has been to keep them from getting out of control.

Our Strawberries have finally been transplanted into their permanent home. They are looking a little rough! In all honestly I didn't think we would be able to keep them anyway, so I am thankful we have had some sweet berries this year. I can't explain why a bowl of small sweet strawberries from my own garden is just a measure better than picking-my -own but it is!

Made some homemade dishwasher detergent today, cant wait to post a review next week if I like it. I am on my 4th attempt in my search for a good recipe! Fingers crossed for a good review.

Laundry Soap

I was talking to a friend the other day who I gave some of my laundry soap, she had run out and went back to her commercially prepared detergent and disliked it so much, she wanted to make some of what I use. I cannot imagine going back to anything else. Instead of a written how-to I thought I would put up a pictorial post. I highly recommend The Duggar Recipe.  One thing to note, have ten (yes 10!) gallon jugs ready before making this recipe.

 Feel free to ask any other questions you may have! :)

Simple to Make ~ So good on your clothes ~ Wonderful for your pocket book!

Grate one bar of soap

Melt on stove top in 3 cups of water

Pour melted soap into 2.5 gallons of water

Add Borax and Washing Soda

 

 

 

Add another 2.5 gallons, stir well, and let sit overnight