Busy Weekend

Grandpa and Grandma came for birthday celebrations. All the kids got new duds, John and Gabriel matching! I love that. John got to "open" his birthday present a couple weeks early. So exciting for the rest of us. He really likes the bell but it might be a month or two before he can really ride it.

the Quest

The quest for Cheerios is neverending and knows no bounds!

Homemade Yogurt

Quite a few people have asked me recently how I make my yogurt so here is what I do:

What you need:
1/3 c. yogurt with active bacterias ( I started with Lucerne 2% yogurt plain, of course)
1 quart milk (I have used both 2% and whole)

Heat milk to 180 degrees. Watch closely, I can't tell you how many times I've had it boil over on me! Cool to 110 degrees. Add milk to yogurt starter, stir to combine. Incubate the mixture at 110 degrees for 3-6 hours. (Mine is usually done in 3-4 hours) I mix the yogurt in my Pampered Chef 2 quart measuring cup and place it in the oven against the oven light. The oven light produces enough heat to keep the mix at the right temperature. I like using the Pampered Chef bowl because it has a lid and then I can store it in the same bowl in the fridge. That's all folks!

Remember to save 1/3 c. for the next batch of yogurt. Also I always double this. Another also, the texture is different with every batch sometimes its a little watery, sometimes nice and thick. When its watery just stain it or don't worry about it.

Have fun making yogurt!!

A Sample Sermon

Here is the sermon I preached last Sunday.

Birthday

Richard got bocce for his birthday and we've all been having a blast since!

The Shelf now - can you tell I'm proud?!

August

I don't know why I've been putting off updating our blog but I have. So here's some highlights of the last month.
I've been canning. So far I've done up 60 lbs of peaches, 14 pints of Nanking Cherry Jelly, 7 pints of Rhubarb-Orange Jam and I'm looking forward to apples from the Applegate's tree. My beets should be ready to harvest this week so I'll do pickled beets - yum! And I'm determined to can tomatoes this year.
I've also done some sewing. A table topper for myself, 2 pairs of pajama pants and so far 20 blue and yellow quilt squares. No pictures of my projects but here's my machine:
The kids have been enjoying the yard though this month has in general been overcast and cooler, but certainly so complaints about that here. We've started walking to the library for our weekly trip now that we no longer have to tote along the recycling. (Yay curbside recylcing!)We did also make it to Mardas Gras Days this year but were disappointed. Oh well still fun to stroll down the road.

And lastly, just general goofiness. The kids have been making cameras with tinker toys. And the undies are pirate hats!

What I love about summer....

Eating EVERY meal on the back deck.

Swimming in Aunt Carol's pool.


Cutting down branches in order to pick the pie cherries....picking the cherries...


and making, baking and eating the BEST cherry pie!

Washing the car

Sad to say that it was a novelty to wash the car in the driveway. But we finally have a hose that reaches! The kids had so much fun.

Starlight

Kingdom come their will be done
and now the earth is far away
from any kind of heaven
Hallowed be these frozen fields
and every single one of us
still left in want of mercy
take us home

Richard heard the Wailin' Jennys on the radio and knew I would like them. He found their CD at the library today and as I was listening to this song the lyrics drew me back into the room and made me really listen.

Vacation

We spent the first night at Mom and Dad's and had a family dinner. The kids love playing with their Uncle Joseph and all the cousins.

On the way to the Oregon coast we got to stop at Uncle Brian and Amy's house and meet Tilly! So exciting!
And then a week at beautiful Depot Bay enjoying beautiful sunsets, the beach, the waves and watching the whales from our balcony.

Yesterday:Today:

Our girl has a new look

Here's all three of them looking very cute before church yesterday. Lily is adjusting to her new glasses, as are we all.
And yes indeed its Monday and snowing!

No Spring

Well, we've leaped right past spring and straight into summer - at least for this week, its supposed to snow again on Monday! We took advantage of the beautiful weather yesterday and went on a picnic.

Book Launch

It was so exciting to see Richard's name in bold letters in the window of MonkeyShines.

He gave a short history about the writing of The Nightmare Tree and then read a chapter, answered questions and signed copies!

Hwy 22

We took the southern route to Cranbrook and I throughly enjoyed the drive. I'd never seen any further south than Okotoks and it was fun to see the rolling hills and cattle country. Made me want to watch a Western!















Oh, and the Biggest Truck in the World was entertaining:

Its Arrived!!

 

Doll Quilt

I made this yesterday and got the binding sewn on this evening. It's so satisfying finishing a project, even a small one.

Craft Time