Black Currants!

A few years ago Ken planted a black currant bush. We've never gotten more than a cup or so, enough to make a batch of currant bread or something. This year, however, the bush went crazy! I've picked about 14 cups of currants and there are more ripening on the bush! Time to make jam!

Morning Picture:

Afternoon Picture:

Ten cups of currants later, I had 14 bottles of jam. Yummy! More currants in the frig, however, and more on the bush. (sigh)

Note: Recipe and instructions can be found on Fun & Fancy Foods.

Fire & Smoke!

For several weeks the main topic of discussion at our home has been the upcoming static test at ATK where my husband works. This was their first rocket booster test in a long time so anticipation was high. 

Watching and hearing the largest rocket booster in the world be fired is hard to describe and definitely something that needs to be experienced. Several of our kids decided to pull their children from school and come to watch. We had a great time and the firing was a complete success!

Static Test - Orbital ATK

March 11, 2015

Alicia, Dana, John & Kimberly

Megan & Natalie

Teagen, Heather, Oliver & Justin

 Kevin & Me

Keith and his family were there as well but in the crowds we were unable to find each other so no picture. :(

Michael's family were far away in Arizona at test time but a few weeks earlier Michael, Rebekah and Moriah came for a visit so we took a trip to ATK's rocket garden.

 Discussing rocket fuel

Moriah, Michael & Ken

Shuttle booster

Moriah, Michael & Rebekah

Ken & Michael

 Sitting in a rocket segment

Moriah & Rebekah

Personally, I can't imagine sitting in a spacecraft waiting for one of these "firecrackers" to send me into space, but my boys all say they'd hop on board in a second if they had the chance. Needless to say, though, it is pretty incredible to watch!

Lots of love to you all!

Filling Our "Empty Nest"

Ken said it was too quiet in our "empty nest" so he found something to add a little noise.

Ken took an entertainment center from DI, and with a little work - these two found themselves living in a pretty "fancy" condo complete with some cool twisty perches pruned from our filbert tree. :-) 

They did get loose one day - that was exciting! Getting one down from our upper sunroom windows was quite an experience!

Which led to a visit from our very own bird experts (John & Kimberly) to clip their wings until they can be tamed. John took care of the clipping to which he earned the reward of some very pecked up fingers! They weren't too happy with him and were out for blood!

Ken is determined to tame them and spends quite a bit of time out talking to his birds. It makes me smile! :-)

They seem to be settling down nicely, though, and now will even join us for a visit. 

Now, they just need names! Ken calls them Bird and Birdie which the family has declared will not do. Any suggestions? :-)

Lots of love to you all!

My Small Miracle

Thought I'd share one of my "miracles" from our recent broken pipe adventure. One of the only pieces of furniture along the wall was a wonderful bookcase my husband built in Junior High. I LOVE books and this was where I kept all of my childhood books plus a few very old books inherited from my parents.

When my husband called me and described the water dripping from the bookcase, it was hard not to get a little weepy because I was so sad about my books. I kept telling myself it was just "stuff". When he went to move them, they were all completely dry! Not a single book was wet! My husband was shocked and took a picture of the water dripping along the edge. There were even books hanging off one shelf. He said on either side of the those books the water was dripping but in that section . . . not one drop! So blessed! (Look for the drops to the left and right of the pictures  )

So grateful for the small miracles in our lives!

Lots of love to you all!