We Be "Jam"min

 I have been picking raspberries in my Grandma Betty's backyard since I was little.  It has been so much fun to watch Zoey learn to do the same thing in her Great-grandma Betty's backyard.  Grandma always tells us to look under the leaves because that is where the berries like to hide.  Grandma then takes those yummy red raspberries and transforms them in to heavenly raspberry jam.  She is famous for it.

Before we moved to Indiana, I had Grandma give me a lesson or two on the art of jam making.  After 4 or 5 batches, a detailed recipe, and a "special" wooden spoon she said I was ready.  That was about two years ago.

All these years of raspberry picking at Grandma Betty's, and Nana's house really paid off when we visited Anderson Orchard last week.  Even though raspberry season ended in September, we thought we would try our luck.  Zoey was very determined and we ended up with a whole basketful. After all, most of the best berries are hiding under the leaves. The orchard employees were so impressed with her gathering skills they gave them to her for free. She was very proud.

 As we picked, it was almost like we were in Grandma Betty's or Nana's backyard. We tasted just as many berries as the ones that ending up in our basket.

We did end up with quite a few, but Kroger had a great deal on berries that week too.  We ended up with enough to make an "attempt" at make Gram Betty's jam.

Both batches turned out perfect.  6 pints and 6 half pints now sit on my counter.  I can't bring myself to put them in the cupboard they look so pretty.  Plus, it reminds me of home and loving family.

 I keep thinking how grateful I am to have had a wonderful mother, patient grandmothers, and a great mother-in-law who have all shared so many skills with me.  Sewing, quilting, cooking, crafting, gardening, canning- they have all helped me become who I am.  Now, that I am far away, on my own, it is so nice to be able to use those skills to make nice things for my own little family.  It is also so wonderful to be able to teach my kids those same things I have been taught.

We are thankful for our families and that we were able to put some yummy jam away for the winter. :) Zara

Tooth Fairy

Zoey lost her second tooth today.  She was eating an apple from the orchard we were visiting when she screamed bloody murder and started to cry.  It scared her I guess, because the tooth twisted.  I was able to gentle pull it out.  Then she was ALL smiles. She has the smile of the perfect little jack-o-lantern. 

Tonight, as we were putting her tooth in her little box for the tooth fairy I asked he,r "What do you think the tooth fairy does with all the teeth she collects?"

She told me "She is building a castle made out of teeth!"  I smiled.  Aren't kids so cute and innocent!?  Makes me want to have a little more "make believe" in my life. :)  

She then explained the Tooth Fairy is very tiny, and she would tickle you if she were to walk on you.- Zara

I had strict instructions to take this photo right after she lost her tooth.  She wanted her grandmas to see. :)

NEXT MORNING UPDATE : Due to "windy conditions" the tooth fairy was unable to fly to pick of Zoey's tooth.  Zoey was very understanding and will try again tonight. 


(Mommy struggles or... perhaps... we should blame MR TOOTHFAIRY for not reminding mommy:)  

Zoey's Room

Zoey's walls in her room are super white and boring. She and I decided it needed some sprucing up.

Using a shoestring budget and a little imagination this is what I came up with. 

I had made the quilt before we got married. It worked perfect to coordinate with the rest of the ideas. They were all simple and inexpensive.  

She already had the pillow, I just made an owl out of felt and embroidered it on.

 (Zac Efron is hidding underneath. Sorry, High School Musical.)

I always see cute canvas pictures for sale at Target, but never want to spend the money. 

 I painted this on a cheap canvas with acrylics and fabric paint. 

 Zoey loves buttons and rick rack, so I added some too. 

Ty told me it looked like artwork that Pam, from The Office would paint. (Thanks a lots Tyrone)

Unfinished birdhouse were only $1 and were super fast to paint.

I layered felt and used Wonder-Under to stabilize the owl.  

I always loved Woodsey Owl as a kid.  "Give A Hoot! Don't Pollute" 

I finally painted her American Girl doll bed. Turned out cute.  

Plus, it matched the doll blanket I had already made!

  I can't tell you how much I love having a little girl of my very own!  We have so much fun! -Zara

Sewing Desk Project

Before:

My dream some day is to have a room dedicated to crafts and sewing.  Ty has also informed me he will have a "classy" fly- tying study.  For the meantime, I had been searching for a small desk or table to store my sewing supplies.  They always seems to be laying around in various places.  My good friend Stacie, found an old desk on craigslist and fixed it up cute.  I have been dying to find a similar one for cheap.  I had all but given up, when yesterday, as I drove home from Zoey's gymnastics I found my desk.  You may laugh and I don't usually do this, but I got it out of some one's garbage pile.  They still pick up the trash in our neighborhood the old fashion way by hand, and with it being a university neighborhood people are always leaving our stuff poor college kids can reuse.  I think originally it was a vanity with a mirror.  Yet, it is solid wood.

I stopped and lugged the desk into the back of the trusty Exterra.  Zoey was a bit alarmed, wondering why mommy was stealing some one's desk. I explained it was an empty house for sale, and they were sending it to the dump. She also went on to explain, it wasn't very nice looking. I told her mommy would fix it up.  Less than 48 hours later, I am so happy to say it turned out just as I dreamed. I am glad I took the risk of looking like a garbage collector.

I don't mean to rave, but it seriously is an answer to unuttered prayers.  I didn't have money to shell out on a brand new one, and I like a challenge.  I am excited to have a little crafting corner of my very own.  For now it is in the kitchen, but I may move it to our bedroom later. :)  The pictures aren't the greatest and I had to put paper down just incase it was a bit wet still.  It is my favorite color.  Aqua!

As always,  happy crafting!

Zara
   After:

I sanded it by hand, and the wood looks a million times better. 

Just for the record: I first tried to spray it because I was in a hurry, and  I wanted to see it done.

 Big mistake.  It looked awful!  I went to Lowes, and bought Valspar paint.  

Two coats later I was so glad I did!

Indy Fall

Fall has finally seemed to reach Indiana.  We are welcoming the first red and orange leaves of autumn.  The temperature has finally cooled off!  It is perfect jacket weather.  It seems like everyone, including the fox squirrels in the neighborhood, are gearing up for winter.  Pumpkins, gourds, and blooming fall mums are on sale at almost every market and store.

It is hard to believe Zoey has been in kindergarten for 37 days now.  Ty is very busy with two or three big exams each week.  For the past few weeks we only got to sneak in a few hours with him.  It is harder than I ever imagined being a single mom most of the time.  I am always so grateful when he comes home, and tries to help out.  The kids couldn't get enough of him this conference weekend.  It was the first few days he has had he could hang around with us for longer than a few minutes.  We had a very nice time watching conference all cozy at home.  Zealand sits front and center and leads all the music just like the conductor.  Zoey and I kept our hands busy with some fun projects while we watched. We have always watched conference as a family since Zoey was a baby.  Now, I am so glad because she loves to listen to all of it.

Usually, at home in Utah this time of year I am busy canning.  Since we will be moving back in 7 months I didn't bother this year.  It is strange though not have a garden to be harvesting and preserving from.  We did help plant Nana's garden in Utah this summer.  She has gotten some nice veggies.   My sweet mom mailed us a package with our homegrown zucchinis, yellow crooked necks, and a tiny pumpkin. I also  made some yummy strawberry freezer jam. ( Use MCP Pectin recipe:)

Zoey's school changed her half day kindergarten to alternating full day. She goes twice a week and every other Friday. She loves it. Now she gets to eat lunch with her friends and have two recess times.  It has really helped me out not having to carpool her everyday.  Zealand misses her when she is gone, but it nice to have some time alone with him.  Plus, on her off days we can have FUN doing our mommy fieldtrips again!

We are very blessed, and are trying to be thankful for the journey we are on, even though at times it seems very lonely and tiring.   We are excited to have Nana and Grandpa Jon visit later this month and Grandma Sherry the next.  The kids miss everyone so much! Especially their puppy Annie. :(

BUT Grandma Betty told me when we left over a year ago, "You can do hard things."
I am proud to say, I am slowly realizing that, I can do hard things.

-Zara
PS Heres some random photo of stuff we have been up to.

I will really miss the giant hard wood trees here in the Mid-west.  We have fun roaming the neighborhood and IMA garden for giant oak trees to collect big acorns that have fallen.

Casual Fridays usually mean Zoey opts for a pink dress of some sort.

The kids love to log on to http://www.starfall.com/ My sister in law told us about it.  

It is wonderful for kids of all ages. Zealand knows all his alphabet and phonetic sounds. 

I think this helps him remember all of them .

One of our favorite parks in Broad Ripple.  We got to play with dad-Ty for a little bit. 

 Zealand loves to swing high in the sky and drive the wheel.

 I made Ty prove how much he really does love us!

My boys doing some hard labor. Don't mind the pink mower, he does a very good job.  Just like his daddy.

He takes his work very serious.  He also blows the walk off (when it isn't plugged in of course)

I love his stethoscope shirt I found him. Again, Just like his daddy.

Projects

Since Ty is gone so much studying, I have been trying to get some projects done with the kids are sleeping.   I stumbled on the cutest blog "I Am Momma, Hear Me Roar".  The author has so many fun ideas.  She has step by step instructions for most of them. It has been fun to put my own spin on them. Here's a peek at what I have been up too.

Our walls are so bare, I thought this inspirational Gordon B. Hinkley quote would look cute.  It was tough to paint the words, but lots of fun.

I am in LOVE with freezer paper stenciling! I have so many fun ideas I want to try.

 It is super easy and pretty fast with GREAT results. That's how I made this casual neck tie shirt and cupcake shirt. I embellished Zoey's with some beads.

The tricky thing was to get Bubba to hold still while I took some photos of his cute new shirt.

In this months Woman's Day magazine there are lots of fun decorating ideas with candy corn. 

 I LOVE candy corn, and they were so inexpensive to make.  

I sprayed the little tree branches with Rustolium Spray, and then hot glued candy corn on.  For the candle holders I bought glass containers at the dollar store, and filled with candy corn and a small candle. Sorry, not the best photographs of them.

I made this scripture tote out of a place mat.  I found the instructions at Nap Time Crafts I still need to embellish it with some fabric flowers or more ribbon.  Perfect for a set of scriptures or just a small tote for errands. Super fast and easy.

 HAPPY CRAFTING!

Confessions of a Homemaker

I don't know why, but I feel the need to confess a few things. Wait, don't panic! Nothing too horribly sinful. I just want to send them out into the blogging universe. :)

First Confession- I vowed, as a child, I would never deep clean my little girls room while she was at school. I remember getting so upset when my mom did this. Secretly, giving away those toys that I never played with or organizing my beloved "JUNK drawer".

Well, as a mother of a five year old who loves everything she has ever gotten, I now do this. I find myself doing it at least once a month. I used to wait until daddy took her out of the house. Since she has started school, it gives me a good two hours to get all those dust bunnies from under her bed. Granted Z-Z messes up as I clean up. He throughly enjoys discovering Zoey's normally off limit toys. What she doesn't know won't hurt her right? It cracks me up to see the cute treasures she keeps in her "JUNK drawer". I smiled as I found a handful of smooth rocks. All of which were shaped like perfect little hearts. Baseball cards, tinker bell wallet, princess wallet, tiny ziplocks full of change, wax animals from the zoo, slinkys, yo-yos, bouncy balls, birthday cards, seashells....well you get the idea.

I guess it is time I thanked my mom, for secretly cleaning my room all those years. Thanks mom! Maybe someday Zoebug will thank me too! Until, I hope she does notice the sack in the basement for Good Will.

Second Confession- At about 3:00 pm some days, I find myself needing a pick me up. I don't really like to drink soda, but have boughten me a 12 pack of... wait for it.... Diet Coke, but wait it is caffeine free! Sounds totally gross, at first it tasted totally gross, but if you need a quick lift I have found it works. I think it is a total placebo effect, but I figure I could do worse.

Third Confession- As a child whenever I would go into the basement, I would run down and back up as fast as I could. I was always nervous "something" would get me. I laughed the other day as I took a load of laundry down to run through. I found myself doing the same thing. I guess I still am afraid "something"from the deep depths of the basement is going to grab my ankles. Am I the only one who suffers from this. :)

Fourth Confession- I am plagued with guilt. Not just regular guilt. Toxic guilt. I have diagnosed myself and have really tried to let go of it. I guess, I just want to comic universe to know I am doing my best! I am a homebody, and really hate over scheduling. I don't know want the deal is, but lately I always feel like I am loosing control of "time". There are so many things I would like to do, and maybe should do.

For now, I am trying to remind myself the Good, Better, Best rule. President Oaks gave a talk in Nov 2007 I really liked it. Here's the link if you want to read the whole talk.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Good, Better, Best

(We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.)

The First Presidency has called on parents “to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles. … The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place … in … this God-given responsibility.” The First Presidency has declared that “however worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform. Another great article from the Oct 2009 Ensign

By Jennifer Nuckols   states "While guilt or “godly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10) can be a gift from God that inspires us to change and improve, Satan can also use guilt to demoralize us. Some people may not easily give in to large temptations, but if Satan can depress and immobilize those Saints through a false perception of their own unworthiness or inadequacies, then they become neutralized in the fight against evil. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve (1926–2004) offered this comfort to those plagued by feelings of failure and excessive guilt:

“May I speak, not to the slackers in the Kingdom, but to those who carry their own load and more; not to those lulled into false security, but to those buffeted by false insecurity, who, though laboring devotedly in the Kingdom, have recurring feelings of falling forever short. … There is a difference … between being ‘anxiously engaged’ and being over-anxious and thus underengaged. … We can distinguish more clearly between divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance, between dissatisfaction with self and disdain for self. We need the first and must shun the second, remembering that when conscience calls to us from the next ridge, it is not solely to scold but also to beckon.”6

As we honestly discern where we stand with God, we can eliminate the though 

Fifth Confession- I cook three pretty good squares a day. I try to use good healthy ingredients that everyone likes.  No matter what I fix my little CAVEMAN, will not eat his veggies and most forms of meat.  It drives me CRAZY! I really try not to be a short order chef, but when he won't eat I always give in to what he will eat. Can a kid live on PB& J sandwiches, apple sauce, cottage cheese, pancakes, mac and cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt,and baby mush? Yes, he will still eat yucky baby oatmeal and not a delicious home cooked meal. I hope it is just a phase.  He seems happy and healthy.  I better just not worry about it too much for now. 

Sixth Confession- Since we have lived in Indiana I crave the following foods from back home in Utah:  Dunford Chocolate Cake Donuts from 7 eleven, Tony's meatball sub, Topper Bakery Spritz cookies, Cream of Weber Milk Chocolate chugs, fruit from Pettingils Fruit stand to make peach tarts, and canned pears, a good old fashion roast dinner at moms house, and finally a sweet pork salad from Costa Vida.  None of these would be considered "healthy" but they remind me of good old O-town.  I have found out that the Deans chocolate milk they sell here in Indiana is very similar. :)

So... there you have it my silly confessions that have been weighing on my mind. I feel sooooo much better somehow. :) -Zara

Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM

Yesterday, I was asking Zealand what all the different farm animals say.  Cow? Moo. Duck? Quack. Dog? Woof.    Chicken?  "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"  He made me laugh sooo hard.  Needless to say, I think we have been reading the "Chicka Chick Boom Boom" book a few too many times.

We just love watching ZZ learn new things everyday! He is finally growing into his BIG personality!  When I was pregnant with him, I often wondered if I would give birth to baby Shrek.  The doctors kept saying he was a big baby, and BOY, could he kick.  He made his entrance into this world a bit reluctantly I think. He was such a colicky, grumpy little baby. I worried endlessly about what was wrong or what I could do to help him.  At six weeks: Allergy tests, barium x-rays to test for acid reflux, different pacifiers, I gave up dairy, chocolate, etc.  Now I know his personality, I wouldn't have done any of those things.  He just has a mind of his own.  Mostly, he is very sweet and just like to be with momma or daddy. Yet, other times, he knows exactly what he wants, and that usually isn't what mommy or daddy can't give him at that moment.  

We just try to remember that the famous Dr. Harvey Karp said "you have to view two year olds like little cave men." It is so true! We love our little cave man!

Notice the look on my face a few hours after he was born.  I knew this little guy was going to be much harder than is angel sister had been.  I am very happy to say we have made it through his first two years and am so excited to see what each new year brings. A told B and Zea.... I will RACE you to the top of the coconut tree.

Zealand slept in our bed the first 3 months. 

That was the only way he would sleep longer than a few hours.

During the day, I got very creative trying to find places he would feel cozy enough to get a decent nap.

Looking back those first few months he was born are sort of a blur. I am amazed we actually had a productive garden that year. I was sort of shocked to see that I don't have that many photos of us during those first few months after Zealand was born. I guess we were just in survival mode. :) 

Now, he is content to have his dirty old blanket, Mickey, and a good BINK! 

Two of his favorite pastimes. Mowing with Gramps and as Zea says "Swinging, "HIGH IN THE SKY!"