Tastes of Summer

I love the taste of garden-fresh produce, and corn-on-the-cob is one of my favorites.  One of our annual events is picking up enough fresh corn (from a friend's garden or a local market) to enjoy for summer meals and to freeze for later.  This year, I was happy to share the experience with my daughter.

I have memories of getting LOTS of corn when I was growing up and our family was stationed in Nebraska. We would spend hours shucking the corn cobs and cleaning off the silk to prepare it for freezing.  If my friends happened to stop by, they were usually put to work!  This made for some sore, sticky hands and some great conversation.

Today I passed on some of those memories with my daughter, as I showed her how to shuck the corn and clean off the silks.  I broke the corn cobs in half for freezing (the perfect size for little hands), and explained the steps of blanching/chilling the corn.  She was most interested in the vacuum sealer we used to package the corn for freezing.

I've thought about cutting off the corn  to use a bit less room in the freezer, but both of my kids love gnawing the kernels off the cob.  At least for now, this is the best way for my family!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

(An older post I forgot to publish over a year ago!!!  By the way, the detergent works!)

I made my first batch of homemade laundry detergent this weekend.  It was pretty easy, and I'm very hopeful that it works for us and helps us to have a little more room in our budget.

Laundry isn't one of my favorite tasks, but I do it out of love for my family.

On good days, I can take it on calmly, planning when to do each load and keeping on top of the folding.

On those not-so-good days, I try my best to avoid it, or grumble about having to do it.  I get frustrated when I leave a load in the dryer and the whole load is full of wrinkles.  (At least I can usually get by with adding a damp towel to steam out the wrinkles- I don't really iron anymore.)  I really go ballistic when I realize I've left a load in the washer for a few days, and it smells awful!

Anyway, I'm trying to set up my laundry area (a closet in a bathroom) to be as pleasant and organized as I can.  I'm trying to set myself up for success and peace in the mundane laundry chore.

I did make a laundry sign and some organizational hooks for the area.  I even added some paint and scrapbook paper to make them more than just functional.

Finally, I made the laundry detergent.  It feels good to find a thrifty way get the clothes washed.  I feel like I accomplished something!  I know, laundry detergent isn't a huge accomplishment, but I know this will be another small way to love and serve my family.

I picked a simple recipe- 2 parts soap flakes (grate a bar of Zote), 1 part washing soda, 1 part borax.  I use a leftover baby formula scoop to measure- 1 for smaller loads, 2-3 for larger ones.

Now, the next step will be to add a verse to the wall over the washer- "Do all things without grumbling and complaining."  (Philippians 2:14)  That would be a real transformation!

In a Stew

I overslept this morning.  In fact, I didn't sleep well at all.  When I did get up (close to 9am) Cris and Alyssa were doing everything they could to help get the kitchen ready for stew-making.  Daniel was happily munching on cereal and playing with Play-Doh (in other words, staying out of the way).

It should have been a great family event.  Unfortunately, I woke up feeling completely out of sorts.  I've had several anxiety attacks recently.  I could feel the tension and agitation building.  My heart was racing.  My palms were sweating.  I feel like I'm grasping at my last bit of control.  My husband could see it in my face.

Instead of working together on the canning project, Cris took the kids out to play and have lunch out.  I stayed home to work on the stew.  This is EXACTLY what I needed!

I don't fully understand mental illness (even my own), but the topic has been on my mind this week.  A son of a teaching colleague did commit suicide last week.  I didn't even know how to talk to her.  I hurt for her and her family and the loss they feel.  I also hurt for the son and fully understand the overwhelming frustration and hopelessness that comes with mental illness.

I suppose I could have felt anger and frustration with my husband for not helping me with the canning, but that's not what I felt at all.  I was relieved when he left with the kids, knowing I wouldn't be lashing out at the people I love the most.

Staying home, preparing nutritious meals for my family is a way I show to them.  Scrubbing and chopping potatoes may seem repetitive and mundane, but it's also a great opportunity to think and sort things in my mind and breathe...

I am not extremely experienced when it comes to canning.  I helped my mom with jellies when I was a kid.  I helped my sister with stew more recently.  Last summer, my friend came over and walked me through the pressure-canning process so I could do it on my own.  (I was petrified to do any of it on my own before she jumped in!)  I'm still re-reading the instructions before every step in the process.  I even make a few phone calls to my parents or friend to verify some of the steps.  I know I take longer to complete this than I should, but today I need a long task to keep me busy.

It's pretty satisfying to see the piles of chopped potatoes, carrots, and celery.  The colors are beautiful, and I'm reminded of God's provision for us- the flavors and variety, and I feel blessed.  I'm reminded of old hymns we sang in church when I was little- about God's bounty.  It's a fleeting memory and I can't quite remember the words- only a phrase or two.  It's enough.  My tension is beginning to ease.

I pull out the sterilized jars.  I can't provide healthy meals by starting with dirty ones.  The heat kills any bacteria and provides a safe place to store our food.  I ask God's forgiveness for my worry and anxiety, for my attempts to handle things on my own.  He's shown me so many times his provision for me and for my family.  Several of these came to mind today, and I thanked him again for those times.  I asked that he cleanse me from the worry I take on, the doubt that returns and overwhelms me.

Nehemiah 6:9 says, "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking "their hands will get too weak for the work and it will not be completed.' But I prayed 'Now strengthen my hands.'"  This may be an odd verse to remember, but Nehemiah was a recent focus of a sermon series at church.  This verse really hit home for me in lieu of my fears and anxiety.

I carefully fill the jars, add hot water, and remove all the bubbles.  I cap 7 quarts and 7 pints- the most I can process at one time with the large and small cookers.  I find there is more stew than I have room for processing (so stew for supper!)   I'm so glad God fills us to overflowing- with love, with peace, and with joy (and food, home, family, friends, a very understanding husband...).  My God really does "supply all of our needs, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus!" (Philippians 4:19)

The jars continue processing as my family arrives.  Daniel is the one frustrated this time, but I'm rejuvenated. I'm ready to scoop him up and prepare him for his nap (which takes some cuddling and rocking!)

I made it through again.  With God's (and my husband's) help, this wave of anxiety did not overtake me.  I've been able to love my family with my stew preparations and with a renewed spirit of peace and patience for handling the normal family interactions.

Bedtime?

Signs the usual bedtime routine is no longer working:

1.  He shouts "woo hoo" and claps when you finish a lullaby, and then asks for more.

2.  He makes up hand motions to go with the lullabies.

3.  He wants to sing his own songs with airplane noises.  Then he pulls out a toy airplane from under the seat cushion of the chair you are rocking him in.

4.  When his older sister desperately searches for the missing bunny she has slept with for years, he decides he needs to cuddle with his cars.

5.  He pops up and begins barking when he hears the neighbor's dog run outside for an evening potty run.

Seize the (Cooler) Days

I have a confession.  I hate the heat.  I can't stand 100+ degree days, high humidity, and scorching sunny days.  I disdain the sticky, icky sensation of being drenched in sweat.  I also happen to be prone to heat-induced migraines and sunburn easily.  I have to brace myself to endure the annual school field day.

I also live in Texas, where the super-heated outdoors is a regular fact of life.  It's also a fact that I tend to prefer indoor activities in the summer with my constant companions, the fan and air conditioner!  I've just learned to do my outdoor activities in the fall, winter, or early spring to avoid the heated outdoors.

This summer, I didn't even attempt a tiny garden in the space allotted by our landlord, not wanting to be constantly watering and weeding (which is outside in the heat I can't bear).  I do feel a bit guilty, as my sister now has a small farm growing at her place.  (It even requires a tractor for plowing!)  I am very appreciative of the abundance of fresh vegetables her place provides for our family.

We recently received an abundance of potatoes requiring our attention.  Each year I use fresh potatoes, carrots, celery, and cubed meat to create a super batch of beef stew for canning.  Like every canning project I've ever been involved in, it takes quite of bit of planning and work, but the benefits this winter are worth it!  My potatoes were scrubbed and ready for cutting.  My carrots and celery are cleaned and chopped.  The meat is thawed and cubed.  The jars are clean.  The pressure cookers are in the kitchen.  I even woke up early to take on this monumental task, eager to begin.  I set out all the ingredients, the huge mixing bowl, and the pan for cooking the meat before the kids got up!  (Side note- I'm very grateful for the air conditioned home that allows me to enjoy this task.  I'm pretty sure I would not have looked forward to this, say,  100 years ago.)

Then I stepped outside for a moment.  I checked the weather app on my phone to confirm that it really was only 68 degrees.  Even better, today's high was predicted to only be in the mid-80's.  This just doesn't happen in July in Texas!  I went inside with a debate in my mind.  My responsible, organized side really wants to follow the plan for the day and get on with the stew.  My other side is thinking this type of weather does NOT come along every day and I'm a fool not to take advantage of it.

Then I put all my stew ingredients away.  Gathered up some water bottles, and loaded the car.  We were headed out to play.

We ended up driving to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.  We spent several hours roaming paths and trying out every turn.  

Peek-a-boo!  The boardwalk area is very kid-friendly.

They call these "Whisper Tubes," but we know a "Whisper-ma-Phone" with a snergelly hose when we see one!

There you have it... the day we chose to make memories at the park instead of stew.  I'm pretty sure I'll have plenty more scorching days where I can hide inside and catch up on canning.

Daniel's First Birthday

As of December 4, we have a one-year-old in our house.  It's hard to believe Daniel James is now 1.  He's grown so fast this year, and he's looking less like a baby, and more like a little boy.  Don't grow up too soon, Daniel!

Any celebration for a first birthday is a surprise party.  A one-year-old's never had a birthday.  He had no idea what to expect.  Everything was a surprise for him.  Fortunately, they were all delightful surprises.

He gave us a great smile when we sang "Happy "Birthday."  He was also pretty impressed with the cake.  He had no problem figuring out how to eat it- even tried to eat the plate!  The highlight of the evening was definitely the bath that immediately followed.  He couldn't stop giggling, "swimming" laps around the tub, and splashing in the water still pouring from the faucet!

Chapter 6- Christmas on Main Street

Mommy, Daddy, Daniel, and me- Alyssa we went to St. Charles to visit Main Street.  They had a Christmas celebration party.  It was fun.  Cami and Becky came with us. 

The road that the cars drive on is made out of bricks.  The buildings were old and had Christmas decorations on them. We walked around a lot.

We got caramel corn and cookies.  Some of the cookies had chocolate chips.  Some had Christmas sprinkles.  Some were “doodle” cookies (snickerdoodles).

I wore a blue dress with white fluffies at the bottom and on my sleeves.  My hat jingled because it had bells on it.  It also had red flowers and ribbons that touched the bottom of our hair. 

The Russian lady was pretty.  She had eye shadow.  It was blue.  She’s got a long white dress. 

We saw lots of different Santa’s!  They all gave us cards with pictures on them.  I got lots of cards.

I jumped in some leaves!  I don’t know why Mommy took a picture of that, but she did.