Peachy

I bought a case of peaches last week and it turned out being more peaches than I anticipated. Somehow, in my mind, a case consisted of a few flats of nicely arranged peaches. In reality, it was a whole box full of peaches with no other filler whatsoever.
I spent last week scouring the city to collect the proper equipment. This was my first canning excursion as an adult so I had nothing of my own. Both Wal-Marts I checked were completely out of canning jars, but I finally found some at Fry's (thanks to a tip from Carla). I found a big, canning pot at Wal-Mart, and all the other specialized stuff at Shar's.
Brian was afraid, however, that I would not actually get around to canning the peaches so he started the process on his own Saturday morning. Halfway through, I encouraged him to go ahead with his own Saturday plans (i.e., I gently threatened to take over his housepainting project like he was taking over my peach canning project) and he went on his merry way. :) What I didn't know what that he had already started to make a sugar syrup to can the peaches in. I had purchased white grape juice for that purpose. So I used what I thought was plain, boiling water to boil the skins off the peaches and... to sterilize my jars. I was wondering why they were cloudy until Brian wandered by and explained. Fortunately, by that point it was funny.

I ended up bottling 5 quarts (only 4 sealed, though), making two quarts of freezer jam (thanks again, Carla), and the rest will be regular jam in cute little half-pint jars. :)

Slideshow

Free Camping

I should have posted this before our free weekend getaway, since this was the weekend before, but I just didn't get around to it.

We went on our first camping trip with the tent trailer here.
The place we stayed a couple of a weeks ago was just a few miles away and cost $14/night. We were woken up multiple times (aside for from the screaming banshees, er, sleepwalking/talking children...) by headlights from other cars as it was a very busy campground.

This time, we found this campground that was secluded with all the spaces set pretty far apart. If it hadn't been for the sleeptalking (I think the trailer keeps them better contained as far as the sleepwalking goes) children that time, I think we would have slept really well. (I've since stocked the tent trailer with earplugs.) So, not only was this campground way better, it was FREE! : )
We stayed two nights and had a pretty relaxing time. : )




(Apparently we have a "lizard whisperer," too, Monica.)

Breakfast in the trailer while I tried to master my dollar store tripod.

Three, little helpers cleaning up camp

Our Free Weekend

Brian's windshield has been cracked for more than a year, but it was a small crack so he wasn't worried. Then the summer heat made it spread until it became blinding (and then, of course, he got pulled over and advised to get that fixed) so he decided it was finally time to replace it. The company he found came to him to fix it, and then mailed us a gift card to Macaroni Grill (where we had our first date).

My mom had offered to take Treyton the weekend before but we had been camping, so we decided to take her up on that the following weekend. I called my sister Carla for suggestions on where we could go for a quick getaway (she always knows all the best deals) and she gave us two suggestions. Brian called and made the reservations and we were off!

So, free babysitting from Grandma, free dinner from the glass company, and free lodging/food (paid for by sitting through a time-share presentation the next day)... There were a few hiccups in the plan, but over all it went off okay and Brian was especially pleased with the low cost of it all. : )
When it came time for the hard sell, all he had to do was tell them how much he's paying in spousal support and the guy let us go. 17.5 months to go...

Camping

So... we bought a little tent trailer and now we're going camping today after the kids get out of school. : )

Unfortunately, until Brian knocks out the block wall and puts in a boat gate, Audrey (my car) is evicted from the garage... : (

Labor Day

We had a BBQ and had a great time socializing! : )

My dear, sweet husband was kind enough to come outside and take a picture for us. : )

Anita, Carla, Paige, Chanda, Monica, Brenna


Anita, Carla, Stone, Paige, Chanda, Monica, Brenna, Elise's shoulder


Elise


Rocky's arm & forehead, Stone, Gma's lower torso, Treyton, Gavin

Labor Day also served as the combined birthday party for Dad, Cody(27), Brig, Rocky(28), Treyton(5), & Mom. Instead of swapping candles and taking pictures with the same cake like the last joint birthday party, age numerals were placed on opposing ends of two sheet cakes. : ) Very efficient. : )