Wordless Wednesday

It's Been A Long Process...

...me becoming a domestic. I fought it initially. I rebelled inwardly. But, by God's grace, I have come to not only enjoy being at home full-time--I love it.

Do I enjoy every part of it? Um, NO. It's full of menial tasks and there are 101 things I'd rather do somedays. But, when I have a proper focus, I know that I am doing important work, and what my husband and I feel is best for our family.

It is during weeks like this past one, that I appreciate all-the-more my heritage of hard-working homemakers. Last Thursday the peaches I had ordered were ready to preserve, so my mom and Nana Ruth came to help. (Thank you Lord, again, for the blessing of living close to our families! After 7 years of living apart, I appreciate it so much more.)

Goodness. What a job! It took us 5 hours to finish the 3 crates (1 1/2 bushel). The result = 44 quart jars. (Well, if you count the 5 jars I forgot to put syrup into before canning. Silly me!)



Natalia was such a willing helper. She put the peaches in the sink so we could wash them, and helped me mix the raw sugar into warm water to make syrup. (What a difference a year makes!)

Grandma and Natalia taking a little rest while Mommy finished up the cooking part.


Waiting for them to pop, pop, POP! :-)

I didn't can any other fruit this summer, just blanched and froze corn, lima beans, and green beans. I may still can some tomato or spaghetti sauce if our transition-back-to-school schedule allows for it. And in late September I'll freeze applesauce.

It sure is a lot of work, but when I open up that jar or container of whatever come January, it'll be satisfying to know where it came from.

Short But Sweet

They're here!!!!!

My youngest brother Ryan, and his girlfriend Sarah are in town for the week. They moved from Philadelphia to Berkeley, CALIFORNIA a year ago, and this is the second time we've been able to see them. Needless to say, we've missed them!

The entire family spent Saturday evening together at my parent's house, along with Sarah's dad and mom. They are just the nicest people and we had a really fun time chasing watching the kids and talking. On second thought, read "chasing"--the kids are 1, 1-1/2, 3, 4-1/2, and 5-1/2 years old. We tried to talk. :o)

Sunday night we celebrated my nephew Eli's 1st birthday at my brother Joe's house, and Ryan was able to join us.

Then today Ryan and Sarah came to our house for part of the morning and lunch. Since this is the only week Pete has off between his summer job and heading back to school, it worked out perfectly for him to be here, and my mom joined us as well.

Each visit seemed too short, but we're just glad we could see/hug them in the flesh and that all of their nieces and nephews could reconnect with them again.


Safe journey home--we miss you already!

Giddy Up!

Daddies.

Daddies are wonderfully different from mommies.

I am blessed to have married a man who shares so many qualities with my dad. One being that he gets down on the floor and PLAYS.

No matter that he just spent the day on a roof in the scorching heat, or a mentally-draining day in the classroom--my hubby makes time to play.

Our babies and I love him for it.

Almost There

As if you needed any more proof that time flies!

Less than two weeks before we start group #2.

What I've Been Reading

I forget where I saw this first book recommended.

THE OTHER WES MOORE by Wes Moore

Two young black men sit across the table from one another. Both born into impoverished, broken, inner-city homes in Baltimore, Maryland. Both grew up without a father present. Both got mixed up with drugs and violence at a VERY early age. And both share the same name.

But today, at the age of 33, one is a Rhodes Scholar, a decorated army veteran, a White House fellow, and a successful businessman. The other is a 33 year old grandfather, and is serving a life sentence.

What happened?

The front cover aptly expresses the sentiment of this book.
The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.

You have to read this one!

(One piece of advice: take some brief notes when introduced to each Wes, otherwise you'll be flipping back through the pages and smacking yourself on the head. Not that I would know, of course. Tee hee.)


THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd

Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory--the afternoon her mother was killed. She was four years old. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."

When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina--a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black bee-keeping sisters named May, June, and August.

Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

A wonderfully written story. An easy read. It'll make you laugh and cry. Read it!
(I'm anxious to see if the movie is as good as the book. Anyone see it?)

Cherry Crest Farm and Strasburg RR

Last Thursday and Friday CHERRY CREST FARM and STRASBURG RAILROAD held their annual Educator's Open House.


Back in the spring when Pete registered he picked Friday, so we decided to make it a family day and use the tickets the kids earned with the library's summer reading program and ride the rails too! With Pete being free to both locations, and our plethora of "free" passes/coupons, I was the only one that had to pay. Sweet!


The weather was gorgeous! Low humidity, warm, cool breezes. The only downer was that I started to get a cold the day before. My head felt like a cinder block, my eyeballs felt hot and itchy and I was somewhat delirious...but I powered through it. The things we do because it's free for our children. :o)


We started at the farm. None of us had ever been there before. We took a short wagon ride through the corn.

Pete tried out the slingshot.

Then, we saw the jumpy jump thingy. One for the big kids and one for the little kids. Natalia LOVED it!



Until she heard the train coming. The track was right beside us.

Not so much a fan of the whistle. It WAS loud!


Goin' west in our Conestoga wagon.

Here it comes again!

We had a few bites from our packed lunch, then enjoyed the open air car on the train. We were in the very first/last car so we were able to see so much more as we rode along.


Adam, catchin' flies taking it all in.


Watching the engine hitch and unhitch was fun too!



Overall, I'd say Cherry Crest is fun, especially if you have little ones into farm things. For us it was alot of what we've encountered at the local farm fairs (except the jumpy jump thingy) and seemed geared towards tourists who come to Lancaster to vacation.

Our favorite thing to do in Strasburg is still riding the train, the little rides at the station and visiting the Choo Choo Barn. Maybe when the kids are older we'll take them back to Cherry Crest to do the corn maze.

Another fun day in good ole Strasburg, PA!