This week we have been blessed with our two grand children coming for a visit. John picked up Blaise and Benedict on Monday and brought them up to the lake. We have been busy swimming, boating, fishing, tubing and of course a trip to their favorite place the dollar store. Grandchildren are truly a blessing.
Seventy there years ago on this date I was adopted. My parents always made this day very special. I got to pick what we had for dinner and they always took me shopping so i could pick out a special gift. It was like I had two birthdays. One in march and one in June. They always made me feel very special.
Crazy weather we are having. You'd think that the end of June it would be sunny and warm. No its been cool and rain is predicted for the next week. We have had frost warnings, cool temps and have had our heat on. The lake is quiet not a lot of activity and I feel sorry for the few brave souls who have come up for their vacation. This weather doesn't seem to bother the neighbor kids though. They've been floating around in their canoe fishing, while their parents gather around a fire to keep warm. I'm sure they wish things were different but kids are resilient and adapt to anything. Rain rain go away come again some other day.
Its been many years since I've done any canning. I used to can when the kids were little. I would take them and we'd pick blueberries and strawberries and then I'd make jam. Once tomatoes were ripe I'd make salsa, chili sauce and plain tomato's. One year a friends pear tree was struck by lightning and she brought in baskets of pears which I gladly took some and canned. As time went on and the kids grew up and work seemed to get in the way I just didn't seem to have the time anymore. So I gave away all my canning supplies, I later realized wasn't too smart. Last year I planted a small raised garden bed with more tomato plants than I needed. I shared with family and neighbors and still had so many. So I decided what I needed to do was can the rest. I had to purchase jars and canning equipment and get out my canning cook books which ironically I had saved. It funny how it all came back. I made chili sauce and canned tomatoes. This year I will do the same. Strawberries are in season so thats what I did today. I was able to get 9 jars of jam from 4 quarts of berries. Pretty good I think. I had 2 quarts left which I cleaned and froze for further use.
Today I decided to do something I haven't done in a long time, make ice cream. I had all the ingredients, so I put my bowl in the freezer, got my mixer ready and began the process. I wisked the milk, half and half and heavy whipping cream with the vanilla ice cream mix and put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. once the time was up I turned the mixer on and added the mixture. It took 25 minutes on low speed but it was well worth it. I think Ill try chocolate next.
On Friday and Saturday we are having our annual garage sale at Church.Preparation started a week ago and we finally finished up today. My assignment is cashier on Friday from 9am to noon and the same on Saturday. Set up was exhausting but its for charity.After the sale we will box everything that is left and take to another Church for their sale.
According to my daughter,Summer began today with a visit from her and 4 of the grandchildren. It was a great day and a lot of fun. The kids swam, used the Paddle Boat went for a boat ride had lunch and we even celebrated Bosco's birthday. The rain held off and the weed spraying didn't occur until it was time to leave. They will be back in July for the fishing contest and a week vacation.
Well,well,well February you've done it again. You tease us with a warm day, the snow melts and we feel like Spring is just around the c...
