I am a domestic goddess (with a full-time job)

Growing up in Utah, it's a good chance you grew up with a parent or other family member standing over the stove, slaving away over a hot stockpot of something-or-another getting put in bottles and eaten throughout the years.

My Grandma Belva was that lady in my life. she would make everything from salsa, jam, and mustard pickles, to regular dills, peaches, and pears. That stuff always tasted better than the store-bought stuff (and looked a lot better too). Both my mom and my mother-in-law have also influenced me. Apricot jam one year at mom's, and a weekend full of spiciness at my MIL's making salsa.


This year Tom and I want to do it on our own and perpetuate the tradition. We did a little research, and started the garden this spring with everything we'd need. 


So, today I got all my canning gear at Winco. They had the best prices by far for new jars (I didn't check Wal-Mart I refuse to shop there on principle).

Total bill $45.75:
Pints = $6.98x2
Quarts = $7.98x2
OOO and one of those lid wands for $1.50
Fruit pectin = $1.30x2
Small Ball freezer jars 5 count= $2.65x2

 I'm happy! now we'll be able to make our salsa and the spaghetti sauce as the veggies come on.

I think I'll ask Santa to get a pressure cooker for next year. This year we're only doing tomato-based goods. So, between the canning stuff my grandma gave me (pint pot with lifter, funnel and can lifter), and my mom's supplies (quart pot and lifter), I'll do water-bath this year.

Oh, and I almost forgot - Went to Barnes & Noble and got the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.

That and a mag my mom gave me inspired me to go to fruit way in Brigham City to get fresh fruit to make freezer jam.


I love this lost art, and hope Tom and I can perfect it and keep trying new things. Gimme a holla if you know any good recipes!!


Ta-Ta,

Jen

Dill's space themed bedroom, and summertime so far

It's been a busy time since my last post. From painting and playing, to more activities galore, here's what we've been up to lately.


I had a pay period where I worked 37.5 hours of overtime (and it got me nowhere but that's for another post). With that extra money, I was able to afford painting and decorating my son's room.

I really wanted to contribute to the room by painting these three 12x12 canvases I had lying around. Not quite done yet. But another couple of hours and they'll be good to go.

We also celebrated Dillon's birthday with friends and family:

Trent helping decorate the front room.

Crazy Kayla

Grandma checking out the birthday banner that took FOREVER to make :)

Me, Laci, Dillon, Kayla and Nana Angie

And awesome Elmo cake that Shaunasee and Lindsey made for the party. Dillon LOVES Elmo.

Fantastic cupcakes

Dill got so many presents I'm saving some of them for Christmas so he isn't too spoiled.

We went camping at Marsh lake. It was Dillon's first camping trip, and he did so good I might want to go again. we stayed for 4 days, and had family stop by during that time too. Dillon calls them, "My kids". I hope that we can do get together's like this, and see our kids become close:

Emma picking flowers to put in her hair

Put em up Fischer! He got Dill doing it too :)

Helen looking pretty

Such a good dad

He was kissin' rocks right and left. Maybe he'll grow up and be a Geologist?

He loves his cousin Kelly. They are close enough in age that they played quite a bit.

pretty girls

awww cayceee

:)

Being more creative, and paying attention to life has been my goal this year. I wouldn't be able to love life without my family and friends. It has been a fun summer so far, and much more to look forward to. I'll be posting soon about the fun of canning and making freezer jam.

Until then,


Jen