Puppy Kisses

Three Steps to Good Puppy Kisses

Step 1: Hold the beholders face in your hands:

Step 2: Both parties should pucker up:

Step 3: Touch your lips to theirs:

WARNING: Sometimes, one of the two parties might "sneak in a little tongue!!!" On some of those occasions, the recipient of the tongue action doesn't mind - thankfully, that is the case illustrated here.

Basil Jelly

When I first told you about my basil jelly waayy back in 2006, I was unprepared for the continued rave reviews I get each time I serve it.

It's different. It's made from basil - I hope you figured that part out already.... and it's green. Really green because I add - gasp - green food coloring. Why? Because my kids like it really green.

Moving on - here's some of my basil - all natural, no sprays or nuttin' added:

And, here are some finished jars!

So, you know I've done oven-canned tomatoes - gasp - and almost step -by - step instructions on canning green beans. Today I shared with you a new recipe that did NOT disappoint! I've also canned jalapeno jelly but need to see if there are any pictures of that one. What's to come? Well, I've got a pear story to share with you and one about a few peaches...a lot of plums and a crazy woman with six kids who actually enjoys canning. But, I'm not the only one who's been busy - here's a recipe I am going to have to try, especailly since the cooler weather means pancakes each Sunday morning!!! WOOT!

So, aside from the hustle and bustle of life, I will be sharing some more canning stories from my world. I've got some to share, that's for sure! I even have a flop to share - boo hoo hoo!

So stay tuned - I know I'm sporadic. Oh, and next week..... a giveaway!

Strawberry Lavender Jam

I tried my hand at Strawberry Lavender Jam this year. I had 4 lbs of strawberries and too many to count lavender plants outside so I set out in search of the perfect recipe and by George, I FOUND IT!

Here you see the strawberries and lavender boiling. That's an important step in jam making:

See the Lavender? The smell was out of this world delicious!!!

I also found a new use for my Pampered Chef mix-n-chop - it works perfectly for mashing fruit in jam making. I used it for my peach recipes, too.

8 nicely sealed jars of the nectar:

And here's where I remembered to take a picture of it on my toast. I probably shouldn't tell you this was my second piece....

The one different thing to this recipe than anything else I've made is the overnight step of letting the lavender, strawberries and sugar mix flavors. I think that proved to make the lavender really come through in a nice, not overpowering but "I'm here!" way.

Canning - A Spritual Experience

If you have ever canned, you know that the best sound is "PING" when the jars seal. Having established this as the best sound, I have to say, it is heavenly. If you can imagine the relief of seeing the angels a'coming, that is what my body feels when it hears "PING." And for each "PING," I offer up one of two phrases:

Thank you, Jesus! or

Praise Jesus!

My lips never grow tired of giving thanks where thanks is due, especially when canning. Why?

Well, I'm no scientist so I have no idea why the silly things seal in the first place! I just follow the directions and do as I've been instructed and PRAY they turn out. Do you know what the crazy thing is? 9 times out of 10 they do!!! "THANK YOU, JESUS!!!"

Canning is one of the most spiritual things I do. Just keepin' it real here, folks. During the process, I pray, not just for my yummy jelly, jams, green beans, tomatoes, etc. but for others. Canning gives me the opportunity to slow down, 'cause it is a slow process people, breathe deeply and think. Think upon Jesus with a thankful heart.

I think and pray for my two boys in college who will delight in eating these yummy goods. For my little children at home who delight in opening a new jar from the pantry, excited to taste its goodness. For the people in my church who will receive a jar with love. For my friends who may receive a jar as a gift at Christmas. For my family who I can surprise with a jar for their families. For my nephews and their little families.

This is why canning is a spiritual experience for me. I love it. I look forward to it. I rest in it.

Coming up? Things I have been canning!!! Stay tuned for some humdingers!!!

Peace - Query 20

Query 20: "Do you observe and teach the Friends testimony against military training and service, making clear that war is incompatible with the spirit and teachings of the Gospel? Do you find appropriate ways to work for peace?" Yes, I observe and teach to who I come in contact with. Yes, I find appropriate ways to to work for peace. Take a look.

Today is the official National Day of Peace. What a great opportunity for us Friends to speak up and tell people, "YES, this is what we're all about!!!"

But is it? Ohhh, don't get me wrong, I had a "War is not the Answer" yard sign up in my drive... for three days. Then someone stole it. We thought it was gone forever but actually it is down my road in someone else's drive. How funny is that?!



Anyway, back to peace.... it should be a journey. Something we strive to live by, promote, protect. This post is in no way war bashing, nor am I a war basher. Anti-war sounds hateful but I am pro-peace. I do not believe that going in with our guns a blazing should be first response of our country, or any country for that matter.

The typical response of the world is an eye for an eye - tooth for a tooth. This is not what Jesus teaches. He instructs us, "Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5: 38-42 Can we really do this in modern day? I have to say, "yes." I believe in the red letters of the Bible and I will live, to the best of my ability, according to my faith.

Have you heard of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? It is what came out of South Africa's quest to have forgiveness, not war be their answer. The history behind this commission in miraculous, of course. Forgiveness tends to be.

I am putting my words to work. In Newberg, Oregon, Paco and I stood for peace one lunch hour. It was an amazing experience. So amazing, that I am working with the Peace Coordinator at my church to organize peace standings in our town. There are many peace coalitions, so just do a quick search to find one in your area. Better yet, check out the Friends Committee on National Legislation and see some areas you can get involved.

Today, on the National Day of Peace, I pray for peace. I pray peace for my family. For you. For us. And, I ordered a new yard sign. Actually, I know where you can get one.

As Paco says, "Just be nice." It really is that simple. No matter who we are dealing with or what it is about. Be nice. Thanks, Paco!

School Again - Finally!

We finally had our 1st day of school! Today all three of my school bound kids went to school. It's an exciting year for us as Melynda and Sky are going to Greenleaf Friends Academy! They got up extra early this morning and the adrenaline and excitement made it fun but that part won't last, I don't care where you go to school. ha!

Melynda. All "freshman in high school" cool.

Cute little close up of her. And last year...

Sky is living with us now full-time and is in 5th grade at G.F.A. Here she was last year.

Is that jumper not the cutest thing ever?!?! What's even better than it being part of the new dress code for elementary students? SHE LIKES IT and so do I. How often does that happen...

Yesterday we made a mad dash to the big city and the girls found these darling Bobby Jack sweatshirts at Sears. On sale. And they bought them with their own money. That translates into they will actually take care of them now since they made the investment. I love that, too.

We had to wait for "the bus" this morning as we weren't sure exactly what time it was coming. So, we were ready at 7:00 and it came at 7:30. Long wait for all of us... but aren't they cute watching the front?

Here is "the bus." We had no idea what to expect so it was just an exciting morning all the way around. Here's their Daddy helping them in on their first day.

Paco started this morning and it's so different than his first first day. Today he was happy to be there, wanted to be there and there were no tears. Ahhh. I did tell him he had to speak Spanish at school and he promised me he would. Thursday we have treats so that will be a special day, too.

It is so hard to get a good picture when he's singing a song.

Now, I have two big boys to get off to college and then it will be Javi and me. That will sure be a change.

I love school time. I love my kids love school. I love my kids. I love that they go to school and then come home - we all like the time apart and then getting together again. I love the quiet. Ahhhhh. Close my eyes and breathe deeply. Wait, that was hours ago, there are 6 people besides me around here. Shoot! I need to get Roy gone, the big boys gone, the dog napping, the baby napping..... maybe tomorrow. ;)