Tomatoes

Tis the year and the season for canning. With a little encouragement from Helga and then some help we whipped out these 14 jars of tomatoes in about an hour. She's got a great system down and it's a lot of fun! only 2-3 jars are actually from my garden, but hey it's a star.

I decided to use a jar to make spaghetti sauce and it was pretty good, as good if not better than the store bought sauce.

Thanks Helga!

Good Day

It was a good day...can't say that a lot was accomplished, but it didn't seem to matter. After McKenna was off on the bus and John had left for work the 3 of us at home got ready for the day and then there were pictures to be painted, play dough to be thrown and a kitchen to be left a mess. Then we were off to have lunch and time to be shared with friends. It seems life gets so busy that sometimes you just need to make time for friends, especially friends that you talk to everyday but never actually see. :)

When we got home the sun was shining so we fed the chickens and then headed inside for naps, homework and reading. It was amazing how quickly 4 pm approached and 20 minutes before we grabbed our scooters and headed for the bus stop. Walking to and from the bus stop was one of my favorite moments of the day-Everyone was in a good mood, we weren't in a hurry and we just chatted about nothing. McKenna decided to branch out on her own by walking up the neighbors drive to get to our house while we rode the scooters behind our house. It's always neat to watch as she stands a little taller when she knows she's getting to do something the younger kids would never be allowed to do. Watch us both grow...

This evening John was at the Auburn Football game helping out on the sidelines-he'd invited us to come to the game, but frankly the thought of sitting in the stands with 3 young children who probably would have no interest in the game wasn't very appealing. After playing with the toys and then a light dinner we put our pajamas on, made popcorn and settled for a movie-Rio had come in the mail via Netflix and we were pretty excited to see it. We laughed, we danced we loved it! A very fun night with the kids-wish they were all so laid back, but this is the stuff I want to remember or read about when I look back.

Daddy Daughter Date-Tacoma Raineers

Maple Lawn Elementary had a night out at the ballgame with the Tacoma Raineers Friday night. When McKenna learned about it a month ago she was soooo excited and begged her dad to go. After talking it was agreed that if she worked for the money they would go and for the past month McKenna diligently cleaned out the Chicken Coop for $2 a week to earn enough money to go the ballgame with her dad. (What kind of date makes you pay for your own ticket? :))

She's did a great job and was rewarded and thrilled when the big day finally arrived last night (3rd). With her Football jersey on, her tennis shoes on and her baseball glove in hand she was ready to go when her Dad walked in the door.

I think they had a good time, despite the horrible traffic and lack of parking which meant a lot of time in the car.

*As a side note, Johns said that after the lil dinner of hot dogs, chips and soda that came with the tickets-McKenna was still hungry. She wanted Popcorn, but changed her mind when her dad told her she would have to clean the chicken coop another 2 weeks. I think she's starting to understand the value of a dollar. :)

While John and McKenna were out-I was working on another masterpiece for a friend. Strawberry cake with Strawberry Mousse filling and Whipped White Chocolate Ganache frosting. Same cake as Memorial Day-except this one was frosted, and let me tell you-the frosting was Fantastic! Even John raved about it when he tasted it-and I hardly ever see him get excited about food, let alone frosting. If I could be a lil more consistent and prepared I think I could really get into this baking thing. SO fun!

36 Years and Counting

This year my birthday kind of snuck up on me with everything going on. I didn't even know what how to celebrate which meant low key was just fine with me...

Saturday morning I woke to meet Jorelle & Jenny for a run. It was a little cool, but the sun was out and it was beautiful and peaceful along the river. Then they surprised me with breakfast at Dixie's with Leslie & TD. It was fantastic! Giant Hot Chocolate's, Huge Breakfast, a Cinnamon roll with a candle and the whole restaurant singing Happy Birthday...Ok I was a lil embarrassed at that point, but I was very happily surprised by the whole morning.

On the drive home I called to tell the kids I was stopping at the store and they enthusiastically all 3 jumped on the phone to wish me Happy Birthday. It was soooo endearing and cute!

John did have to work in the morning but that gave me time to get myself waist deep in another disasterous birthday cake delima. As soon as he got home we jumped in the car and went and picked up the newest members of our family: Rainbow, Lollipop, Flower and Shiver. Our chicks.

The cake....well John tagged it as Typical Melanie...and sadly he's right. But I promised my girls a cake and although I was going to bag it at the last minute I just couldn't pass up Martha Stewart's Sweet and Salty Cake-Chocolate, caramel and Salt? It didn't look like much and it didn't taste that great until a day later so I guess all's well that ends well.

Luckily Leslie had my back with the YUMMIEST Trifle I've ever eaten-blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cream. What's not to like? Did I mention Y-U-M-M-Y!

That was another highlight of the day-that and the pizza John's Mom treated us to so I wouldn't have to cook on my birthday. It was a perfect Day!!!

Thanks to all the birthday flowers, gifts, calls, texts, and wishes from family and friends! The highlight of my life are those I surround myself with, you make me a better me!

Not for the Weak of Stomach

Zaycon is a company that sells meat in bulk. I missed their last sale due to procrastination. We're working on getting our food storage put together and so we bought a couple of cases of chicken to put up.

I got the chicken Friday morning and luckily John's Mom came home from the hospital so she was able to give me some direction Saturday when I was finally able to get myself and my canning stuff together to start the canning process.

It was a LOT of chicken-80 lbs is. I froze half of it Friday night and after some trial and error was able to can a couple cases of chicken. It's delicious!!! Thanks Mom for your help and direction-even from your bed I couldn't have done it without you!

A couple of jars broke in the process-but there are always a few kinks to work out in anything you do for the first time...

Haircuts

The girls and I got haircuts today. So happy to have found Julie Brame, a very smart, cute and very good at what she does...hair.

Tyler considered herself, very proudly, Tangled-with her ever so long hair! Most of the time it was just that-tangled. I think she had about 3 inches cut off.

McKenna got a trim, just as she asked.

It's just the girls, but That's a lot of hair!

Cupcakes

I've been dabbling in cupcakes. It's more of a hobby and actually quite fun to have a reason to look up a new recipe and try my hand out in decorating. This recipe was fantastic! It's a Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcake with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting. You're supposed to use the blow torch, but the broiler worked out ok. They were delicious!

Natalie decorated and held the shower at her house and Leslie Made the menu and put it together. It was beautiful and I was honored to be a part of putting it together!

Happiness Returns to the Farm

I don't know why I named the post this other than there is a part of me that wants to believe I am still a country girl in my heart.

Tonight when I got home from a meeting I was presented with the most wonderful gift...and it's not even Valentine's Day, My Birthday, Mother's Day or Christmas. What could bring such a glow of sunshine into my life...the return of the link into a world beyond the walls of my home. A computer...or rather it's called a Netbook/IdeaPad by lenovo...
I'm feeling overwhelmed and aged as I sit with this little itty bitty thing before me that looks like a miniature laptop one minute and the next a giant phone after being folded up. It's wonderful and so much more than I ever imagined!!!

It's small enough I might even be able to keep it hidden from little hands, fingers and eyes.

Oh Thank You, Thank You giver of this wonderful lil piece of technology. Now if I can overcome my inept ability on a smart computer and find my inner techy teenager once again.

May the Blogging (reading and writing) commence once again!!!

Recipes

I've been finding a lot of YUMMY recipes lately-actually a few of my loved ones from far and near have clued me in to a few recipes and then I've found some online on a few blogs I watch. I might have even found a new favorite blog called Good Life Eats. I haven't tried them yet, but listen and maybe click on a few of these: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Meyer Lemon Sticky Rolls, Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal? Really who wouldn't be dying to try these? Probably my kids...oh well all the more to me. Better step up my running game.

Tune in for the results or better yet let me know if you've tried them or have a recipe of any sorts you want to share.

Cold & Flu 2010 the Fall edition

Sunday night, exactly an hour after company left and the kids were in bed, my throat began to feel a little sore. When I woke the next morning it felt like the life had been sucked out of me. Worst cold and Flu which walks a fine line of a sinus infection. It's been 8 days now and although I'm beginning to feel better, well I'm still sick. Tate has become the next casualty as his nose began to run a week later on Saturday. Let the cold and flu season begin...

Luckily my mother has been here and has been an angel as she helps with dinner and playing with the kids, but I fear despite our efforts of garlic, Po oil, echinecea, Vitamin C & D, and in desperation has turned to the Omish with a cayenne pepper & Vinegar concoction that will hopefully spare her from this horrid virus.

Well there is my explanation for the lack of posts. Will fill in the blanks later.

Melanie turns ????

Melanie is always so good at doing posts and tributes for the rest of us I thought I would sneek one in for her. Today is her birthday and she happens to be sick. Tyler is also sick and Tate doesn't feel well so the house is pretty much out of commission. It's too bad because Melanie loves birthdays! She is always so kind and thoughtful when it comes to all of our birthdays. I have to admit that I am not as creative but having to decorate for your own birthday kind of takes the fun out of it. I took the day off work to help with kids and do the things she would normally do. What a job! All I have to say is that she is a saint. I have always found Melanie to be the kindest person I know. She is always so considerate of everyone's feelings and goes out of her way to never leave an impression that she was uncaring. This sometimes drives me crazy only because I see her sacrifice her needs over anyone else's and I want the best for her. She is perfect for our children. If I were to raise them they would pretty much be out looking for jobs right now or making shoes for Nike as I would want to get them out of the house as fast as possible. Melanie always takes time to cuddle, nurture, teach and take time to do the little fun things that I know they will remember the rest of their lives. She keeps up this blog and a journal and takes time to do some light reading from time to time. She is dedicated to her calling at church and always doing little things for the primary kids. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with her, maybe not so sick though. Happy birthday Mel!

Cupcakes

Cupcakes I know have become a big thing right now, and I've kind of latched onto the hype. It has become a desired hobby for me. A desire because I'd like to learn to make really yummy and exotic or different flavored cupcakes that make people happy. I'm not a great baker or cook...yet, but I'm practicing and it's fun for me. Our primary president, a friend of mine knowing this asked me to make cupcakes for our teachers for Christmas.

Saturday morning I had some friends over to help. We made Vanilla Christmas Ornament cupcakes from the book, "Hello Cupcake". BH&G Chocolate Cupcake with a Kick (Chipotle Pepper) and Gingerbread cupcakes with a cream cheese cinnamon frosting.

I am actually very happy with the results of our labors. Thanks girls for the help!

New Moon, Christmas Rush and other things

A few friends (Leslie & Ady) and I went to see New Moon. Good flick, I give it a B+. In honor of the movie we decorated a few cupcakes for fun. The girls (McKenna & Tyler) loved eating them.

Last week Ady talked me and Rocio into running Kent's annual Christmas Rush 5K. I missed the race last year since Tate was born only a few weeks earlier but apparently the race got a lot bigger. There were a lot of people there and it was FREEZING! Although.

Happy and Ready to go...before the race.

I'm quite pleased with our race results. I ran the 5k in 30:45 minutes. Rocio was 5th in our division and I was 8th. Not too shabby with 65 people in the category. :)

A Quick Trip

Delta had a great last minute deal to Salt Lake City and so when my parents called to tell me about it, and then John & Leslie agreed to watch the girls....well I was surprised and excited to jump on board...with Tate in my lap.

It's always a lil nerve racking for me to travel with kids this age, but Tate did great.

The plastic water bottle, his favorite toy!

I flew in on Mark's birthday with plans for a lil pizza party that evening for him, sadly he came down with a flu of some sorts that day and was out of commission and quarentined in his room the whole time I was there. He was a good sport about it alll

I didn't remember to get the camera out-and when I did I didn't because I just wanted to enjoy the time I was able to spend with my family and not ruin it with a flash. I pretty much only saw family including my grandparents who I didn't get a picture of while I was there. It was great to see the look of surprise on my Grandma's face when I walked in the door.

My Mom and I met my younger sister Amber, My older sister Shelly and her family at Gardner's Village to see the Halloween witches, so much fun!

Chocolate anyone?

We had a mini-Payne reunion at Fred & Marion's since 3-sister in-law's were all in town visiting Family.

Steven's wife Silvia & Alex, David's wife Bethany and Maddy, and Tate and I-Kids are born between 11/26/08-2/10/09

It was great to see how Well Marion was doing, to see Lisa and her family, and Ashley & Jordan!!!

Nicholas has a great eye with the camera don't you think?

Tate had a good time with his Grandma and Grandpa Harris and by the end of the trip would even leave the room without his mom, to go see the dogs of course! My sister Brooke got herself a new dog, a 75-lb Boxer named Scout. She's a great dog and even allowed Tate to chase her around the house. Totally should've gotten a picture of that! The boy isn't scared of anything!

While in Utah, Tate learned to wave Bye-bye. My baby is still growing up!

I really did miss my dear sweet husband and my fun loving girls, but I did appreciate not worrying about running after, entertaining or refereeing the girls. All I have to say is One child is soooo much easier than three!