Here is a picture of Larry at nine months old. Without digging through tons of boxes of pictures to find his newborn picture, this is the best I could do.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Happy 31st birthday Larry!!
Today is Larry's 31st birthday! To celebrate we will be going to Disneyland to get his free gift card. It will probably be the last trip to Disneyland for several months because we are blocked out all of July and most of August. But that's ok, we have lots of other stuff to keep us busy. I just wanted to wish my best friend a Happy Birthday!! I love you Larry! Thanks for being a wonderful husband and daddy to Cameron! Here's to many more!!
Here is a picture of Larry at nine months old. Without digging through tons of boxes of pictures to find his newborn picture, this is the best I could do.
Here is a picture of Larry at nine months old. Without digging through tons of boxes of pictures to find his newborn picture, this is the best I could do.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jeeping!
If it's one thing we love to do, it's Jeeping! There is nothing like having the top off the Jeep and the wind blowing through our hair. (By our, I of course mean Cameron and I ;O) ) Any way, on Wednesday the 17th, we loaded up our Jeep with snacks and drinks and took off for an undetermined destination for an undetermined amount of time. It was one of those thing were we went where the trail took us. Well, we started off at the gas station. Two things, well there are more than two, but two thing about our Jeep. A) the gas tank is dented in reducing it's size by about 5 gallons B) our gas gage doesn't work all the time . . . so before heading out for an undetermined amount of time, it's best to fill up.
We knew we wanted to head up through Batista canyon. If we're staying local, I prefer Batista to Bee Canyon any day. So we headed off. The pavement doesn't end until you hit the conservation camp. Now Cameron knows quite a bit when it comes to the inner and outer workings of the fire department, but it was quite difficult to explain, well the conversation lasted on and off the whole day, about the difference between, this fire station (the fact that it's a state prison) and other fire stations. But that's a whole other blog!
During our trek, shortly after we hit the dirt, we came across our first wildlife specimen. It was, I'm assuming, a Gardner snake crossing the road and it moved in such a particular way. It took several minutes for this snake to cross the road (hey that kind of sounds like a bad joke!) that I video tapped it, because I had never seen one move like that. We wondered for a while if it was injured, but then left it alone. I sure as heck wasn't about to play snake doctor.
We knew we wanted to head up through Batista canyon. If we're staying local, I prefer Batista to Bee Canyon any day. So we headed off. The pavement doesn't end until you hit the conservation camp. Now Cameron knows quite a bit when it comes to the inner and outer workings of the fire department, but it was quite difficult to explain, well the conversation lasted on and off the whole day, about the difference between, this fire station (the fact that it's a state prison) and other fire stations. But that's a whole other blog!
During our trek, shortly after we hit the dirt, we came across our first wildlife specimen. It was, I'm assuming, a Gardner snake crossing the road and it moved in such a particular way. It took several minutes for this snake to cross the road (hey that kind of sounds like a bad joke!) that I video tapped it, because I had never seen one move like that. We wondered for a while if it was injured, but then left it alone. I sure as heck wasn't about to play snake doctor.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
When life gives you apricots pt.2
As you may have already read in a blog titled similar to this, you would know that we have a very healthy apricot tree. So in an interest of enjoying our apricots later, we decided to can them up. I wanted to make sure that we would be able to enjoy them, maybe even for baked goods, but didn't want to do jam again.
The first thing we did was collect the apricots
Then we halved them
We then let the halved apricots rest in a bowl with a solution of fruit fresh and water. This helps guard them against browning.
Then I made a simple syrup 2 parts water 1 part sugar
While I was making they syrup Cameron and Larry filled the clean jars with apricots. We cold packed the jars meaning the apricots had not been cooked. There for, the jars were cold too. If you hot pack the jars, meaning the item going in the jar is hot, you need to make the jars hot so they don't break. Once the jars were filled with apricots I filled in the voids with the syrup I had made.
You need to soak the flat lids in hot or boiling water to soften the rubber seal. Then place the flat lid on the jar and hand tighten the ring. Place jars into rack of canner. Normally I use a water bath method of canning. But in an effort to try and preserve the integrity of the fruit I opted for a steam method I had never used. I placed several inches of water and vinegar in the bottom of my canner. Instead of lowering the rack into the water I kept the jars above the water. I put the lid on the canner and let the apricots steam for about 20 minutes. The heat is important because it can kill any bacteria in the jars. I probably could have done this for less time, but since I had never steam bathed before, I didn't' want to take any chances.
When the jars were done in the canner I left them upside down on a cooling rack. Some of the jars hadn't sealed completely in the canner and I did this as an extra precaution to see if it would help seal (this method has never failed me yet). I am proud to say, everything sealed and we got 13 jars of canned apricots! After abou an hour of them being upside down, I righted them back to finish cooling before rinsing them off for the pantry.
Cameron wanted to help us even further by helping us label some other cans we had in the pantry. We had some apple sauce left over from a few months ago and Larry directed him on how to label it.
The first thing we did was collect the apricots
Then we halved them
We then let the halved apricots rest in a bowl with a solution of fruit fresh and water. This helps guard them against browning.
Then I made a simple syrup 2 parts water 1 part sugar
While I was making they syrup Cameron and Larry filled the clean jars with apricots. We cold packed the jars meaning the apricots had not been cooked. There for, the jars were cold too. If you hot pack the jars, meaning the item going in the jar is hot, you need to make the jars hot so they don't break. Once the jars were filled with apricots I filled in the voids with the syrup I had made.
You need to soak the flat lids in hot or boiling water to soften the rubber seal. Then place the flat lid on the jar and hand tighten the ring. Place jars into rack of canner. Normally I use a water bath method of canning. But in an effort to try and preserve the integrity of the fruit I opted for a steam method I had never used. I placed several inches of water and vinegar in the bottom of my canner. Instead of lowering the rack into the water I kept the jars above the water. I put the lid on the canner and let the apricots steam for about 20 minutes. The heat is important because it can kill any bacteria in the jars. I probably could have done this for less time, but since I had never steam bathed before, I didn't' want to take any chances.
When the jars were done in the canner I left them upside down on a cooling rack. Some of the jars hadn't sealed completely in the canner and I did this as an extra precaution to see if it would help seal (this method has never failed me yet). I am proud to say, everything sealed and we got 13 jars of canned apricots! After abou an hour of them being upside down, I righted them back to finish cooling before rinsing them off for the pantry.
Cameron wanted to help us even further by helping us label some other cans we had in the pantry. We had some apple sauce left over from a few months ago and Larry directed him on how to label it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Walk Down Memory Lane Wednesday
From time to time on a Wednesday I will post a "Walk Down Memory Lane" or a "Wordless Wednesday" depending on . . . well . . . my mood I guess. But today I'll introduce the "WDML"
These pictures were taken about 2.5 years ago. Cameron wasn't so much into getting his hands dirty, but part of his therapy for "Sensory Integration" was getting him dirty. What better way to do this then by finger painting. He actually really enjoyed him self. These pictures are a little out of order. But at some point during the painting, he had a paintbrush. Yes his hair isn't combed and he's sitting half naked in his high chair, but sure looks like he had fun!
These pictures were taken about 2.5 years ago. Cameron wasn't so much into getting his hands dirty, but part of his therapy for "Sensory Integration" was getting him dirty. What better way to do this then by finger painting. He actually really enjoyed him self. These pictures are a little out of order. But at some point during the painting, he had a paintbrush. Yes his hair isn't combed and he's sitting half naked in his high chair, but sure looks like he had fun!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hey, there's fish in that there pond
In March of 2008 we built a small pond in our backyard. We had purchased a pond kit at Lowes after Christmas for an incredible price. We knew we wanted a pond, but didn't know what to expect as far as maintenance went. Over the last year Larry and I have learned the joys and trials of pond maintenance. Every six months or so we have to drain the pond and remove the algae and scum that had been building up. We would love to invest in a bio filter, but they can run a couple of hundred dollars, so for now, we do fine with the little filter that came with the kit. We placed the pond to the left of the apricot tree. At the time the apricot was much smaller. Knowing what we know now. Having a pond under a tree that drops fruit . . . is not necessarily the best idea. But again, this is one of the trials we have learned. This year we had LOTS of apricots drop into the pond and after several days the pond water (despite our best efforts of pulling the drowning apricots out) was turning into a algae, apricot, fish water, pond muck. It was quite gross. Larry had a brief window of time off yesterday and decided that the pond needed to be cleaned then, not a week from now like we originally planned. We didn't know if the apricot mess could cause the fish (if there were any left) any harm. Catching fish in pond water you can't see through is a difficult task indeed. Especially when your new puppy eats the fish net and you have yet to replace it. Larry improvised quite well by using our fishing net. We decided that the best temporary home during the pond cleaning would be a LARGE Tupperware Thatsa Bowl (I bleached it when we were done with it, BTW) and to prevent the fish from jumping out of their new shallow home, we placed the base to Cameron's t-ball set on top like a lid. They say, necessity is the mother of all invention! Well after about a half hour of Larry playing "catch and release" we discovered we still had about 20 fish! And one is QUITE large!
The fish in their temporary bowl home
The fountain is working again! Thanks to being scum free!
The clean pond!!
The fish in their temporary bowl home
The fountain is working again! Thanks to being scum free!
The clean pond!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
When life gives you Apricots . . .
We have a very healthy apricot tree in our backyard. For the last two years we have had VERY bountiful crops. Last year, we made LOTS of yummy apricot things including dehydrated apricots and LOTS of jars of jam. This year we have been making dehydrated apricots but with Ashley's graduation party and being the resident dessert person in our family I decided to give a cobbler a shot. I had never made a cobbler so I wanted to make sure I documented the process.It was REALLY Yummy!
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (I didn't have nutmeg, so I used all cinnamon)
1 cup water
45 oz of apricot halves, (drained if canned) I used fresh
1 tablespoon butter
You can use canned apricots but I used fresh
You will need to half the apricots if you use fresh, canned apricots already come halved
Because I used fresh apricots I needed to weigh them to get the right amount.
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in water;
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil and stir for 1 minute; reduce heat. (This activates the cornstarch with acts as a thickening agent.)
Add apricots and butter ; heat through. Stirring to coat apricots with sauce. Then pour into baking dish. You will need one that holds at least 2 quarts.
Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup milk
Mix dry ingredients into a bowl
cut butter and place into dry ingredients
mix butter into the flour (I used a pastry blender) until crumbly
Add milk and mix
Mix until moistened into dough. Spoon over hot apricot mixture
One thing I realized this morning when uploading my pictures, was I didn't take a picture of the cobbler completed. So hopefully I will get enough apricots to make another cobbler and then I will post a picture.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (I didn't have nutmeg, so I used all cinnamon)
1 cup water
45 oz of apricot halves, (drained if canned) I used fresh
1 tablespoon butter
You can use canned apricots but I used fresh
You will need to half the apricots if you use fresh, canned apricots already come halved
Because I used fresh apricots I needed to weigh them to get the right amount.
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in water;
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil and stir for 1 minute; reduce heat. (This activates the cornstarch with acts as a thickening agent.)
Add apricots and butter ; heat through. Stirring to coat apricots with sauce. Then pour into baking dish. You will need one that holds at least 2 quarts.
Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup milk
Mix dry ingredients into a bowl
cut butter and place into dry ingredients
mix butter into the flour (I used a pastry blender) until crumbly
Add milk and mix
Mix until moistened into dough. Spoon over hot apricot mixture
One thing I realized this morning when uploading my pictures, was I didn't take a picture of the cobbler completed. So hopefully I will get enough apricots to make another cobbler and then I will post a picture.
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