Sorry for the delay

It has been a busy fall (broken arms, smashed toes, engagement parties, a four year old to celebrate, trying to reorganize the house, etc.) and despite my good intentions, I haven't posted pictures nearly as often as I have wanted to.

So here are a couple shots from today...

and a couple from the day Jack broke his arm...

one of brothers bonding...

and finally, a shot from right before the doctor appointment on the day Jack traded his cast for a brace

Nature Walk + Paint + Fabric

This is a little project we did before our trip to Minnesota to visit Todd's family. It was really fun and was quite a versatile craft.

First we went on a miniature version of a nature walk. This means we went out on our front steps and gathered bits of this and that, all 15 feet from our house.

Then, while the boys were napping I set the table for our craft.




After the boys were up, I showed them how to use the leaves and flowers they had picked to make prints on the fabric.

Jack enjoyed this project for approximately 2 1/2 minutes.

Ethan, however, really focused on his work.

The finished fabric was so beautiful. Handmade. Unique.

We used it to make pouches for Todd's family in Minnesota.

Ethan really loves it when I make pouches. He exclaims over them, tries out the zippers, carries them around the house.

But there are so many other ways to use this fabric, handmade by little hands, that I think grandmas and aunts, etc. would love. You could simply display it in an embroidery hoop, or cut it into squares and finish the edges for coasters. I had a lot more ideas when I was in the middle of this project, but they seem to have faded now that a month or more has passed.

But if anyone is looking for handmade, inexpensive gift ideas, I think that the nature prints on fabric fits the bill.

Stay Little

I think that if I could freeze time, I would stay right here for a while longer. Two sweet boys, playing, enjoying the sunshine and the grass and each other's company. I hope I don't forget their little boy conversations, often centering around what is and what isn't a Jeep. (Ethan is teaching Jack the difference between Jeeps and Hummers, and gently corrects him when he mistakes one for the other.) I love their enthusiasm and curiosity, and try to follow their lead as they find wonder in the smallest of discoveries. A centipede, a butterfly, dirt, rocks, etc. supply endless amusment.

Copy Cat Harry and David's Pepper Relish

I've been wanting to post this recipe for a while. And since canning season is now in full swing, I thought that I ought not delay any longer in case there is anyone else out there who loves that Harry and David Hot and Smoky Pepper Relish as much as I do. Back in the spring I searched for a copy cat recipe and didn't really find anything that I felt was spot on. So, I took what I read and made my own version which may just rival the original.

A few notes about the recipe:

1. Make sure to double, triple, or even quadruple this recipe if you want to have a lot. This recipe only yields about a pint and a half.

2. Keep tasting as the mixture simmers. You may need to add more chipotle pepper and red pepper. What started out as extremely spicy seemed to lose most of the heat in the last 10 minutes of simmering.

3. Don't forget to thoroughly wash all of your peppers and tomatoes.

Here's what you'll need:

-2 red bell peppers

-1 yellow bell pepper

-1 green bell pepper

(Dice into roughly 1 inch pieces, then mix with 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit 30 minutes. Drain.)

-2 medium onions

(Diced, slightly smaller than the peppers)

-4 medium/large tomatoes

(Blanch, skin, seed, dice. Sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. Drain.)

-2 jalapenos

(Remove veins and most of seeds. Dice small)

-1 1/2 cups vinegar

-3 cup sugar

-2 teaspoons chipotle chile pepper (This is the key ingredient for achieving that distinctive smoky flavor.)

-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

After you're through chopping and salting and draining, combine all ingredients in a large heavy pot. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about an hour and 45 minutes, or until it reaches desired thickness, stirring occasionally.

Can with your preferred canning method, or refrigerate.

Enjoy!

Outside

Just a few shots from our morning in the sun.

Jackie-Jack's Birthday

Jack's birthday was a couple weeks ago. I was pretty sad that the pictures of the day didn't really turn out that great. It looks like I had my camera on the "blurry" setting, um, or something like that. Regardless, it was a wonderful, fun-filled day spent celebrating the two precious years we've had with this amazing little life.

The day began with the traditional "fairy present" hunt...

and continued after breakfast with more presents, from Grandma Lyon and Great-Grandma Frickel...

then after a trip to the neighbor's house to borrow a pump, we spent the rest of the morning at the pool...

with a snack break, of course.

Then, inside for naps. Waking up to a celebratory dinner, with Daddy home, then more presents and cake. (sorry, no pictures unfortunately)

And, possibly the highlight of the day, watching Jack and Ethan try out Jack's present from us and Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy Birthday, sweet Jack!