Monthly Archives: August 2011

Chicago Part II

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It poured rain while we explored Navy Pier in Chicago.

We spent most our time indoors while on the pier.  But so did everyone else!

It was so busy inside as everyone took cover.

Unfortunately, these are the only shots we got.

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However, it did clear up by the time we made it to the Field Museum!

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It was a gorgeous afternoon, but too bad we were inside the museum for 3  hours, while the sun was shining.

The Museum was incredible!

“No dinosaur in the world compares to SUE—the largest, most complete, and best
preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered!”

It was quite a sight!ImageWe had a great time. I love Chicago!

Chicago Part I

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The Cubs were playing the St.Louis Cardinals on August 19th. We had tickets for the game with Rick’s two sisters and their families.

Game time: 1:35. I pick Rick up from work at 11:05 and we head to Chicago.

It’s 120 miles from our house to Wrigley Field.

Long story short, we made it in time for the 7th-ining stretch around 3:00.

WAHOO!!!

(Gotta love Chicago traffic!  Let it be known, we will never live in a big city.

Nothing irritates Rick more than traffic.  That’s fine with me.  I’d love a home in the country with lots of land!)

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Continue reading →

Wisconsin State Fair

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It started out as a rainy day, but within 30 minutes or so, the rain clouds moved and it ended up being a perfect day!ImageBridgette was totally into the chickens…

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And the cows…

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It was a fun day!

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We loved being with our niece and nephews!Image

The cream puffs were puffy and creamy. $10 for these three beauties.

They’re famous at the Wisconsin State Fair!Image

Here’s Bridgette’s classic “eyebrow” look, that she had while we were at the Goodwill.ImageIt’s so wonderful having Rick home on the weekends now, so we can do things as a family.

YEAH FOR FAMILIES!!!

Bridgette’s Quilt

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The long awaited moment had finally arrived!

I waited and watched from our window, with great anticipation each day, for the mailman to pull up to our building.

After 8 LONG days of waiting for the box to be delivered, it was finally here.

Decorated by the one and only, Henry. Age 6.

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While visiting family in California last November, I picked out some fabrics for B’s quilt at one of those HUGE fabric stores in downtown LA.

My brilliant and talented sister Morgan offered to make the quilt.  She  told me she’d add some fabric from her collection.

I had no idea what pattern she’d chose or what other fabrics she would add in.

Her picks were the bright pink, the yellow/brown/cream, and the cream/pale pink/orange floral.

I love the “+” design, you know, the new “Addition” to our family, being Bridgette. (Brilliant, Morgan!)Image

The piece that started it all was the blue fabric with owls.

We found other fabric from MoMo’s It’s a Hoot collection, which I just loved!

So bright, so cheerful.

When I set Bridgette down on the quilt, she was just staring at it for a few minutes.

The girl knows cute fabric when she sees it!

The back of the quilt has pieces of fabric that aren’t a part of the front. Love that unique twist!Image

I am SO tickled with the way it turned out and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Thank you so much, Morgan!

This little lady has been spoiled with 4 hand crafted quilts,  two flannel blankets with beautiful crochet edges (from her great grand-mother) and some soft fluffy blankets (from her grandma and other friends).

Thank you, Morgan, Shiloam, Susan and Rychelle for your time, talent and love for our sweet Bridgette!

ImageAnd we use all of these blankets ALL THE TIME!

Harvest

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A family from my church left town.

They asked me if I was interested in tending their garden for 10 days, you know, to keep the beans growing, etc.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?

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The cucumbers and squash were large, the tomatoes were turning red, the beans were getting long, the OKRA was too.Image

OKRA, he grows OKRA!

I don’t even know what to do with the 3 pieces of okra.

I had to pull one beet. I LOVE beets.

I couldn’t believe it when I pulled this all out of my bag and lined it up on the counter all pretty.

There is something SO RIGHT about fruits and vegetables.  The color alone makes me smile.

“Rick, you gotta come over here and see our bounteous, organic produce!”

I am just beside myself. I get to go back every night, and pick what ever is ready.

I can’t wait until we have a home, with room in the yard for a garden!!

Milwaukee Water & Air Show

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At 9:30 this morning, we were invited to see the Air & Water show in Milwaukee.  Off we were in an hour.

(Our plans to attend the State Fair and clog our arteries with fried butter were postponed until next weekend.)

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Poor B burst into tears every time a jet whizzed by in the air.Image

Or when a motorcycle drove past us on the street.Image

But good times were had by all. Even these crazy folks.

(Holly, don’t hate me for posting this!)

The boy in the gray onesie is Bridgette’s future hubby, Bennett.

He’s a handsome lil’ guy. I just adore him.Image

Rick got a kick out of the Thunderbirds, as he was in the air force back in the day.

Their 30 minute air show was action packed.

Even scared us a few times when they flew directly over head when we didn’t know they were coming.Image

Future note: taking babies to air shows=lots of screaming and lots of tears.

Bad idea!Image

Broke my heart.

But we had a great time!

Just a little tongue

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She’s quite the chatty cathy now!

ImageShe gets that long tongue from her mother.

ImageShe rolled over today. Huzzah!

(When Rick is working long hours, I seem to snap more photos of his daughter for him.)

Bottled Peaches — In Less Than An Hour!

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Last week I purchased a big box of peaches straight off a truck from Georgia.

$35 bucks later, I have about 55 peaches on my counter.

They are GORGEOUS!

Within 2 days, they are ripening beautifully. Seriously the BEST tasting peaches I’ve ever eaten!

I freeze over half of them for smoothies during the Winter.

With the remaining peaches, I decided to bottle them for Rick.

Bottle Peaches

Sterilize your jars.

Line them up all pretty.

Have your steam canner/ water bath ready on the stove!

3-4 peaches will fill one quart jar, depending on the size of your peaches.

Plan accordingly.

I like to do 6 jars at a time. That’s how many my steam canner will cook at once.

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TO REMOVE PEACH SKIN:

Fill a stock pot with water. Bring to a boil on the stove top. turn off.

Fill your sink with cold water. (Or another stock pot.)

Place 9-10 peaches in the hot water.

Remove with a slotted spoon after 60 seconds and place in the cold water.

The peach skins should easily peel off after they are blanched.

(OR you can use a paring knife and remove the skin, but I think that takes way longer!)

Cut peaches in half. Or quarters. Remove pits.

Fill your jars with peaches.Image

Add 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar to each jar.

Then fill with tap water  leaving 1/2-3/4″ space from the rim.

Using a wooden spoon or butter knife, gently insert into the jar and remove any air.

Wipe rims clean and place new seals and rings on the jars, tightly.

ImagePlace jars on steam canner.

Start timing once the steam starts shooting out the hole on the side.

Steam for 30 minutes

OR

25 minutes for a boiling water bath.

Gently move the hot bottles to the counter and place on a kitchen towel.

DON’T TOUCH FOR 24 hours!!

That’s it. Start to finish in less than one hour!