Dam Jam

Yes, we are STILL working on the smile...

Strawberries are perfect right now!

Strawberry Jam    

Prep Time: 45 min

Total Time: 45 min

Makes: About 8 (1-cup) jars or 128 servings, 1 Tbsp. each

5 cups prepared fruit (about 2 quarts fully ripe strawberries) 

1 box  SURE.JELL Fruit Pectin 1/2 tsp. butter or margarine (optional) 

7 cups  sugar, measured into separate bowl   

BRING boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.   

STEM and crush strawberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Measure exactly 5 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-quart saucepot.   

STIR pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot.  Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.   

LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. 

Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. 

Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

Latest Project

Here is a pic of the latest finished project. I made this for a baby shower I attended last night. It was a really easy pattern, but all of the single crochets were driving me crazy toward the middle/end. The pattern called for organic yarn that was priced over $10 a skein and the blanket needed over 7 skeins, so I improvised with a bulkier, but more economical yarn and used a larger hook to off set the bulk.

You can download the pattern for free here . It is really an adorable project.

Only in My Dreams

Sam sleeping during the day NOT at night

Mia sleeping with contraband 

(she redresses herself in "day clothes" after we put her to bed)

Sam is 19 months old and about three weeks ago he figured our how to climb out of his crib. I was so sad the day he discovered a pathway to freedom. My last leg of motherhood control is now officially over (sniff). But, climbing out of the crib at nap time and to try my patience at bedtime is actually not the worst part. Sam has now taken to jumping ship whenever he feels like doing so. Like 2, 3, 5:30 in the morning anyone?  

I seriously can't take it! I am a survivor and can handle a lot of pressure, stress, you name it, but with NO SLEEP? Are you kidding me? 

Last night was a bit better and I am hoping tonight might be our breakthrough night of all night sleep in crib without roaming the house in search of fruit leather. PLEASE Sam, sleep so your mommy can feel human again.

P.S. the best part about our last night? for some inexplicable reason Mia felt the need to whimper and cry in her sleep until 3a.m., only to wake up perfect, happy and completely care free this morning. Her parents were not as rejuvenated. 

Thirteen Five year olds!!!

What do you get when you mix 13 5 year olds with birthday cake, paint, pizza and a piñata with over 5 pounds of candy? 

A crazy messy bunch of fun! 

I think Noah got off easy! He only had to get two of everything on that ark.

P.S. Note the store bought Lightening McQueen cupcake cake. Daniel picked it, he did not want a "mommy big mess" cake.

Kisses

Would you kiss this face? I would, in fact I kiss this cute boy EVERY chance I get.

After Daniel's birthday party when we were cleaning up I was looking around for Sam, when I spotted him in our garden by the fence sharing a purple sucker with Maggie, the dog from next door. One lick for Sam and one lick for Maggie...

How he got the magic sucker is a mystery to me, but despite my being totally grossed out, Sam was having the time of his life sharing with Maggie and eating contraband.

Gratitude

I ran across this quote yesterday and it really hit home. 

"Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a
universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become
spiritually aware of the wonder of the smallest things, which gladden our
hearts with their messages of God's love. This grateful awareness
heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate
gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around
us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine
influence." Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35

Spring Fling

Mt. Carmel Afternoon
Oil on canvas
50” x 70”
2007

Every year Dave enters two pieces in the Springville Museum of Art's Annual Spring Salon. He has always been accepted into the Salon as far as I can remember and two years ago Dave even took first place at the Salon. We went down to the Celebration Gala/Awards Dinner/Springville High School Prom/Art Queen Pageant. It was a fun night although we did not boogie all night due to me being very pregnant with baby boy Sam. 

Every year he enters and every year he waits nervously for a whole week waiting to see if he gets accepted. This is the life of an artist always entering various shows and always waiting to see what will happen. The life of an artist's wife is worse because we have to be on constant guard to say either "Congratulations, Sweety, I knew you would get into the show (the gallery, sell to the clients, etc) and you are the BEST artist I know!" or you have to have a ever compassionate and anger free response like "Sweety, you are so talented the judges (the gallery, they clients, etc) just didn't see your vision. Remember judging is speculative and you are better than any ONE show." So, if he gets into a show the judges are genius and if he doesn't then they are short sided and mistaken.

I truly do love Dave and his art and do feel he is a marvel with paint, but the constant life of ups and downs, big sales and no sales is an adventure in and of itself!

That is why I am so happy to announce to everyone that not only did Dave get both of his pieces into the 84th Annual Spring Salon, but he also who a Merit award for Mt. Carmel Afternoon. Hooray! I am very excited for him and very proud of him. 

The Salon runs from April 27 to July 6, 2008, I am planning a girls trip down. Let me know if you are in!

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Smiley Boy

Best Big Brother

Striking a Pose

First Day at the Beach

Cute Gummy Boy

Our favorite D-Diddy is turning 5 today. I cannot believe how fast time flies. 5 years ago he was a baby in my arms and now he fast growing, fast running, knows everything about the world pre-k little man. I love his big juicy lips and his happy personality. He is our best boy and we are so glad he is ours to keep.

Grandma Capson wrote a 5 year old poem just for him

"Daniel"

Just can't believe you are turning "5"

the finest 5 year old alive.

Be happy in all the things you do

You'll always have fun at the Zoo

Things far away come closer now

Binoculars and spy glasses -WOW!

Have a special time all year

and know you are loved by family dear.

He also received a telescope and binoculars with this most awesome poem.

We love you Daniel!

Adorable!

Puddle Jumper Shoes  Warehouse Sale     Thursday, April 24th  Friday, April 25th  (9 - 2 pm SHARP)     Where:  2681 S. Preston St. (1935 E.)     Close-Outs and Markdowns  Infants  Toddlers  Maryjanes  Sandals  Shoeboots  www.puddlejumpershoes.com      Shoe Prices: $5-20  Cash, Check or Credit Card  (All Sales Final)        Questions Call:  (801) 487-1050        FRIENDLY REMINDERS     *Please bring a pair of socks for your child to wear while trying on shoes.     *If your child is unable to come with you, please bring a pattern of his/her foot so we can help you find the best size.

What's Cooking

Don't be deceived by the word casserole in this recipe. This spaghetti is superb, easy and a surefire crowd pleaser every time. Only complaint I ever received was that I had not made enough garlic bread to go with it.

Spaghetti Casserole

1 jar prepared store bought spaghetti sauce

1 pound (or less) ground beef

½ onion chopped

1 can diced or crushed tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

Italian seasoning to taste

Garlic powder to taste

Chopped green oinion (optional)

1 package spaghetti cooked

2 cups shredded cheese

Sauté onion and green pepper in large skillet or dutch oven until soft. Add ground beef and cook until thoroughly browned. Add spices to beef mixture. Add spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and sauce and simmer for 25 minute. You may need to add some water if mixture seems thick or dry. Add other seasonings to taste. Add small amount on cheese to sauce and stir in cooked noodles. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees until warmed all the way thru, about 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese bubbles 15 minutes more.

The Great Debate

Daniel's Bithday Party is less than two weeks away. So, do I slave away and make a cake myself amoungst my numerous other party/daily life tasks like a good loving mother would do? OR, do I spend some $$$ and let him pick his own awesome Lightening McQueen cake from the store that will be perfect looking and frustration free?

My mother-in-law assures me cakes are only good when they are homemade from scratch. I guess that is what real mothers do.

I feel cakes are cooler when they look good and make my child happy, which means store bought since I cannot decorate a cake to save my life (I am not the family artist).

Anyone?

The Darth Side

http://www.uncrate.com/men/home/art-decor/star-wars-action-figure-prints/

This totally cracked me up! Someone out there is making a fortune by photographing the contents of my basement. I need to be smarter and use my marketing genius...do you think anyone would buy a poster sized print of my holiday decorations?

Please note: None of these objects in my basement actually belong to me, but another adult resident of my house who shall remain anonymous has quite the collection.

www.missingmoney.com

Check it out!

What's Cooking

Being sick last week, I kind of got out of the cooking routine. Dave and the kids had three nights of "freezer surprise"  and one night of microwave popcorn (the popcorn dinner was mostly because Dave came home from work one night two hours and forty-five minutes late, making dinner impossible to cook with three distraught and crazy kids. Plus, his tardiness made me late for a visiting teaching appointment, my first time with a new sister, so to show my appreciation of his thoughtful behavior, he only got popcorn).

This week I am back in the game and now that I have stocked up on my canned goods here is our dinner for tonight YUM!

White Chili

 4 Skinless boneless chicken breasts     

1 TBS olive oil

2 medium onions chopped

4 cloves garlic minced ( 2 tsp jarred minced garlic)

1 7oz cans chopped mild green chilies

2 tsp ground cumin

1 ½ tsp dried oregano

¼ tsp cayenne

3 16 oz cans white beans

5 cups chicken broth

3 cups Monterrey jack cheese shredded

salt and white pepper to taste.

 

Place chicken in heavy stockpot.  Add cold water to cover and bring to simmer. Gently simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool; discard water.  Shred chicken and set aside. Heat oil in same pot over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Stir chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Sauté 2 minutes until fragrant. Add undrained beans and broth and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat, add chicken and cheese and simmer until cheese melts. Serve immediately. Garnish with sour cream and jalapeno peppers, if desired. 

This week only

Calling all procrastinators. Smith's is having their annual case lot sale. Time to stock up.