Tomato Update

As most of you know, I started my own tomato garden this year ~ my very first ever. I can't believe how well it's done. Click here to see the Spring planting. Check 'em out now. . . We're now experiencing the fruit of our labor with a handful of tomatoes each day. The kids love picking them and I love eating them.
I seriously recommend this method for anyone that loves grape tomatoes and doesn't like to weed. All you have to do is water them daily (a gallon jug works great) and feed them with Miracle Gro for tomatoes once a week. The banana peppers and basil that were planted on the top of the buckets have done great as well. But we got attacked by Japanese beetles this Summer (can I tell you how much I hate these bugs!) so a lot of leaves got eaten. I guess I'm just grateful they didn't eat my tomatoes too.

Holiday Weekend Fun

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I know we sure did. We spent one morning raspberry picking at a local farm and had a blast. You just can't beat fresh picked fruit in season. The kids' motto was "one for me, one for the container". Jonas couldn't wait to make a smoothie either when we got home. I turned around to see this and couldn't help but snap a shot:

We also camped out in our backyard. This is so much fun if you have younger kids and don't feel like messing around with an actual campsite and holiday crowds (added bonus is that you get to use your own bathroom!). We made smores, read books by camplight, and played bingo. It was a little chilly around 3am but we made it all night. Jonas woke us all up bright and early at 6am. There is one downside to camping, the sun is a natural alarm clock!

Here's pics of Doug putting up the tent with his two little helpers. Jonas has his working goggles on, of course. And there's an audience with front row seats. Camille thought they'd be interested in the whole set-up process.

Kitchen Diaries

I woke up feeling the need to bake this morning. So we baked my most favorite bread. . .Irish Soda Bread. I know it's not St. Patty's Day but who says you can only have it once a year! My mom made this bread when I was growing up, and I looked forward to it everytime (especially warm right out of the oven with a little pat of butter, yum). Try it in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and you'll be hooked! All these years later I have yet to find a better version. My hubby and kids love this bread now just as much as I do. The recipe is down below.

And to give everyone an update on the dishcloths. . .I'm LOVING them!! They are absolutely wonderful. I just toss it in my washer at the end of each night and the cloth gets washed with the next load of laundry. It's really working out great.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour (I mixed whole wheat and unbleached white flours and it turned out great. Otherwise use white flour)

1/2 cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3 tbsp butter

raisins (we use the 24 oz. container)

2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Cut butter into mixture and blend. Scald raisins in a colander under hot water (this softens and moistens them). Add raisins to mixture. Then make a hole in the middle of the batter and pour the buttermilk in. Stir until combined.

Grease a round casserole dish (like Pyrex) and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 60 minutes. This is how long it takes in my gas oven, I've heard it may take a couple of minutes longer in electric.

Happy eating!

Camille's BIG Day!

So, all in all, Camille's first day of Kindergarten went pretty well. She marched right in there without looking back, brave as can be. I wish I could say the same. As soon as I turned the corner, the tears just started welling like a pool. I tried to hold it back because I didn't want to answer the questions that would soon follow from Jonas, my 3-yr old. He'll be starting preschool in several days, and I hope he'll view it as a positive, fun experience.

We did have an interesting experience at the end of the day though when we went to pick her up. After waiting for thirty minutes in the car pick-up lane, she was nowhere to be found and the teachers/principal weren't sure what happened. They called all the bus drivers and finally discovered she had been put on the bus due to miscommunication. We raced to the bus stop and made it just in time to get her. It was definitely scary for me (my husband was as cool as a cucumber though). It's a very difficult thing for a mother to entrust her children to someone else and then to not know where they are or what has transpired. I tried not to make a big deal of the whole thing because I didn't want Camille to read into it and react to my expressions. So she is not traumatized but has declared she is just not ready to ride the big bus everyday yet. And I'm totally fine with that.

One Dish at a Time

Aren't these the cutest dishcloths ever?? I'm almost afraid to use them because I don't want to destroy their texture or bright colors, but I'm gonna give them a try. Time to toss out the old sponge!

I love to crochet and once again, with Fall drawing near, my fingers are getting the urge to create. My latest project has been these dishcloths. Not only do they save you money, but they're also easier on the environment. Plus they don't house all that nasty bacteria like a sponge does because you can throw them in the washing machine and reuse them again. My sister yells at me all the time about how sponges are dirt and filth infested. Well, Melissa, I finally decided to do something about!

So starting tomorrow we are using these to clean our dishes. I only hope they will clean my stainless steel pans. That should be a bit interesting. I'll keep you posted on how this all turns out.

Firsts

Camille, you have filled my last five years with so much joy. I've watched you grow right before my eyes, experiencing all your "firsts". Your first word (Da-da) to your first steps and now I want to go back so badly and do it all over again.

This Summer has breezed by and held more special "firsts", ones I want to hold on to tightly because I know they can't be relived. Your first lost tooth, your first baseball game, your first pair of rollerskates. I have to admit, I was dreading the rollerskating when Grammy gave these to you. All I could think about was the backache I'd have. You said, "I want to do it fast like the girl next door." We told you it would take practice and patience, and you persisted in asking me and Daddy every night this Summer if you could rollerskate. You've stuck with it and have gotten so good at it. We are very proud of you! And as with all "firsts", there's an "ending". You don't need us to hold your hand anymore or hold you up.
This is more evident to me as your next "first" is just around the corner. . .kindergarten. I realize this is an "end" to you being at home with me, to your infant and toddler years, and to me holding your hand. I know you'll have a great time and make lots of friends. But if you still want to hold my hand a little, it's always here.

Colorblocked

I've finally taken pictures and posted two new Colorblocked bags in my Etsy shop. This bag combines great functionality (which we all need in a handbag!) and fantastic style with the extra nickel grommets and tie around the top. I love the way they turned out and can't wait to make more.

I'll also be adding several new Stacked bags next week. Don't worry. . . the original design is still the same, but the bag now features two straps. There's carrying handles and then a single adjustable strap so the bag can be worn in three different ways ~ by hand, shoulder, or messenger style across-the-chest. I'm very excited about this bag's versatility.

I also just ordered several new fabrics for my Fall collection. I won't spill the beans but there's great colors such as berry fuschia, tangerine, chocolate brown, and sky blue.

Have a wonderful weekend~