Summer Salad

With the garden in FULL swing, :) We have been trying to find new ways to use up what we are growing, and I made a FABULOUS, and easy salad that was a big hit at our house.

1 large or 2 small cucumbers -cubed (and peeled if desired)
1 - 2 C. cherry or grape tomatoes -cut in half
1/2 - 1 C. cubed fresh mozzarella cheese
2 T. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
-mix and serve.

So simple, so yummy and I would think healthy, though I suppose it depends on how you look at it. It is a great way to use up those thousands of cherry tomatoes, and dozens of cucumbers that you don't know what to do with. Enjoy!

Baby Bruises

So, I have accident prone children, especially my 2nd child- Olivia, bless her little heart, she just can't help it. They all are constantly getting bruises from walking into walls, or tripping over their own feet. :) In light of this tendency, I have found a wonderful remedy that I think is fabulous, and wanted to share it with all of you.

Well, ever since Logan has learned to crawl he has had a string of bruises all the way across his forehead. A few days ago, he ran his head into the corner of our china hutch...

It immediately turned purple and started to swell up. He was screaming and crying, it was really sad. I put some Arnica on it (you buy it at the health food store)...



He stopped crying almost immediately, and in the morning, instead of a huge bruise and a black eye, this is how he looked...



It's pretty amazing stuff. I used it when Ally got clocked in the cheek with a swing, and the same thing happened, it took the pain away almost immediately and she healed significantly faster that I thought she would. I use it on myself all the time too, because I bruise so easily. Sometimes, if I put it on right after I hurt myself, I won't even have a mark the next day. Just and FYI- Arniflora, Arnica gel, it is AMAZING.

This weekend's project

So, in 2 days (Friday and Saturday) we went from this:



To this:



13 Quarts of Apricot Nectar
2 batches of Apricot Jam (not in picture)
19 bottles of Spaghetti Sauce
22 jars of Salsa
2 Batches of White Nectarine Jam*
*(which was not as fabulous as it sounds, not much flavor)

Lots of fun. If any of you love canning like me- I have some great recipes!

A new day....

So, after what is likely the last weekend of vacation for the summer, I have decided that it is time to start getting my act together again. You know, the whole new year's resolution thing, only in August :). Now that school is back in session, there aren't so many distractions for the kids (like neighbor kids playing in the street ALL the time, and staying out late into the night), and I am planning on starting home-school Kindergarten for Ally this week, (I am open to any tips or ideas any of you may have, or use). We are getting back on schedule, early to bed and early to rise...Cutting out the treats, and starting to exercise again.... (I think that my body might go into shock, but then again, I have heard that shock therapy works, so here goes.) Also, we are doing 1 week with no TV, to try and detox from TOO much TV and movies...My kids are getting lazy. When they can't go outside and play because it is too hot, they just want to stay in the house and plop down in front of the TV...not good. I will let you know how we are all doing as the week goes on....I will be needing encouragement I am sure- I enjoy vegging out in front of the TV as much as the next guy. I am planning on being able to get lots more done in a day and lots more sleep at night. Wish me luck, I am going to need it. :)

Apricots, Apricots and more Apricots!!

So, we were out yesterday morning picking apricots from our tree, we put Logan on a blanket in the grass with a few toys, he apparently wasn't interested in the toys, because I looked over to see him eating a smooshed apricot from the ground. (yuck!) So we moved him back a little ways, away from the apricots, but before we knew it, he had found his way over to the basket and he was eating apricots as quickly as he could. He would take a bite, then put it back and take another bite of another one, and put it back. He was in heaven!

And for anyone out there who likes to can- here is a great recipe you might like to try. It is my own creation, and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.


Apricot Syrup

9 C. Apricot Puree
1 pkg. Pectin
4 C. Sugar
2 tsp. Almond Extract (opt.)

To make apricot puree, pit apricots and place in pan with 2 cups of water. Heat just until soft. Put apricots (and juice) through food mill to remove skins. Return puree to pan and mix in pectin. Bring to a boil, then add sugar and almond extract, if desired. Return to boiling; boil hard 1 minute. Pour into jars and process 15 minutes in water bath or steam canner. (Processing time is for Utah- lower altitudes would only take 10 minutes)

I made this last night, and we ate it on pancakes this morning, it was SOOOOO yummy. It set up really nicely, just the right consistency for syrup. I also make this with blackberries in the fall, and it is a family favorite of ours. I think I am going to try apple cinnamon syrup this fall too, when apples are on. :)

Happy canning if you decide to try it!
Let me know what you think, if any of you do decide to try it.

Logan crawls!!

Well, Logan officially crawls now. He has been working on it for a week now, and finally has it down. Time goes so quickly, it seems just like yesterday when we brought him home. What a little blessing he has been for our family

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