Yum-O!

It worked!! All 12 bottles sealed. Salsa tastes yum-o!! Nachos last evening, quesadillas this evening...glorious!!

Next up..apple pie filling. Seeing as it IS apple season! Anyone ever tried to can that? (& have a good recipe????)

While the adults were enjoying nachos, the eldest was preparing for today. (supposed to be sleeping!) I think I've created a monster???!!

Happy Hump Day!

MMmmmmm...salsa!

I am blessed beyond measure.

Truly.

One of these blessings is that I am alive and healthy.

My own personal conviction is to try the best I can, with what I have (and whom!), to keep myself (& us) that way.

Which, for our family, means healthy eating, among other things.

My dear friend Holly posted a recipe for salsa a while back. I have always wanted to try canning. Loving the natural/healthiness of the process, yet a tad unsure if I was actually capable of doing it.

Yesterday, I overcame that fear and, started chopping a gigantic pot of fresh, healthy, wholesome, YUMMY! goodness.

**okay, so when I said healthy, I meant healthy PLUS a bit of diet coke.**

okay, minus the paste and 2TBSP of sugar..shh..don't tell!!

had my cookbook on the counter!

mmm..yummy...starting to boil.

I knew that IF I was to try canning, I HAD TO figure a way to keep the kitchen clean. Which, for me, means doing the dishes AS I go. As well as putting away 'extra' ingredients while I cook. I simply can not leave it all to the end. I'm weird that way.

First round of dishes.

"A picture of me mama, pease !"

As the pot simmers, the kitchen gets clean, just the way I like it!

After a few tries the cans end up in my NEW (thanks dad!) pot. With a little help from Mike.

VOILA!!!

I have to wait 24 hours to see if it really worked. I did hear some popping though, so let's hope!

I'll be 'hiding my head' for awhile...

(actually, I'm leaving town on work-related-issues) I'll touch base soon.!!

(but not really that soon!!)

Seriously,

I cannot let this child out of my sight for a minute.

She is her fathers' daughter!

That's My King!!!!

Our long weekend,

thanks to my mom and dad,

included 3 hotels, swimming, hot tubs,

slides

splashes

a visit from 'Uncle Scott, Aunt Kristen and cousin Elijah!!'

more swimming

video games

food, fun, family

and a teensy bit of sleeping. But not much.

What's for dinner?

One of my very favourite parts of blogging (ie:internet) is the never-ending selection of recipes available. I love clicking away to different 'sites' in search of something new, something quick, something healthy. I have a multitude of 'favourites' on my list, and quite often, make time to visit them.

Don't worry. This blog is not going to become one of "them".

I can't really cook. I just like too. Besides, I have 5 mouths to feed. Well, I don't have 5 mouths myself, but, oh, you know what I'm saying.

Anyways, I thought I'd try my hand at a "What's for dinner?" post.

And, NO, I will not promise it will be available every week.

You'll take what I give you, you hear?

(unless you really want me to post my kraft dinner recipe?!)

On tonights menu was::::

Quick and Easy Beef Burrito Skillet

Brown 1 lb lean ground beef. Drain.

Add 1C salsa. (mmm..salsa)

1 can (drained) kidney beans. (okay, so I was out of kidney beans, I improvised with chick peas)

1 package taco seasoning

1C water

Bring to boil.

Let simmer on medium 5 mins.

Add 1C cheeze. (mmmm...cheeze)

4 multi grain tortillas (cut into 1" squares)

Stir.

Cover & let stand about 5 mins. ( must. melt. cheeze mmmmmmm)

Add sour cream & onions.

ENJOY!!!

How to tell vacation is over...

See you when I crawl out.

The big reveal.

I know you have all been waiting for it.

I've mentioned it a few times, and you have been sitting on pins and needles wondering 'WHEN IS SHE GOING TO POST THOSE PICTURES OF THE NEW BEDROOM.'

Sorry to keep you all in suspense.

This bedroom was originally Isaiahs. His bedroom was to be built after Hannahs was. (in unfinished basement) In the meantime, while Hannah slept in mommy & daddy's room, Isaiah had this very bland, undecorated room.

Skip ahead three years.

We now have an 'almost' complete basement (bathroom remaining) with both Hannah & Isaiah's bedrooms.

Aliah has taken over the bedroom Isaiah WAS in. Still undecorated. (I often laugh at the big rush to decorate the first childs' room, and the fact that the poor third child is lucky to have a crib to sleep in!! HA!)

Yes, that IS builders beige. Nice.

We added some colour.

Replaced the crib.

Added some curtains.

A picture.

A bookcase.

And our beloved dresser.

So, what do you think??

Seriously mom,

How many years do you have to take our picture??

First day of school 2009.

It's the first day of school...

and I think bunny is as sad as I am?