Two Fun Days

When we are busy, we are happy. It seems like we've had such fun things to do just about every day. The other day E and I picked blackberries with Grandma. We came home with about 3 1/2 lbs of berries...more than we know what to do with. Jam and cobbler!

The next day we met up with some friends at the pool. E loves splashing in the bath so I knew she would love swimming...and she did! She loved floating there, kicking her feet, splashing, talking and smiling at everyone who gave her a glance. I guess we know what we'll be doing all summer!

Canned Meat? Like Spam? Sick!

No, not Spam...and no, not sick. We're talking real meat...chicken, pork, ground beef, etc. So anyone around me knows I'm on this food storage kick. I was fearing because I was not prepared. So we are getting there! I put together 30 dinner recipes I can make just from items in my pantry. I plan to buy the ingredients to make each recipe 3 times....ta da! A 3-months supply of dinners, just like that.

I don't know about your family but in mine a meal is hardly a meal without meat. It may look gross but it's not...it's just meat (yes, the real stuff you buy fresh at the grocery store) cooked and canned in a pressure-cooker-canner. So for my 3-month supply I need 57 jars of chicken, 12 jars of ground beef and 9 jars of pork.

You just cut your meat and put in jars. Seal the jars and put it in that bad boy. Let it cook for about an hour and a half and...

Canned meat! So far I have 20 jars of chicken, 12 jars of pork, and 7 jars of ground beef. If I can faster than I use them I'll be there in no time. So here's to being prepared!

Tag Toys

Recently I made these...

Because E loves tags. Looks like they worked! Can't wait to make more.

Three Quarters of One Year

Yes...that is 9 months, the age E is. It's hard to believe! We went to the doctor today so I guess I have to share her stats.

Weight: 16.2 lbs (5%)

Height: 25.5 in (3%)

Head: 44 cm (50%)

That is why we call her Pumpkinhead. Her head is 100% Johnson and 0% Goodman. Not saying the Johnson's have big heads...they are just rounder than us Goodman's. I actually think her head is big because of ALL the people who constantly tell her she is so cute!

E is a delight. She sleeps from about 7:30 pm to 7 am. Then the rest of the day consists of eat, play, nap, eat, play nap, eat, play, bed. She LOVES being around other kids, especially in large crowds. When she gets excited she kicks her legs and pumps her arms uncontrollably and starts squealing and talking. She isn't quite crawling yet but is trying hard. She'll scoot around in circles and has started moving backwards. Just today I caught her pushing her belly up and bringing those knees under her. Her favorite activities consist of sitting up with all her toys dumped in front of her, wrestling (especially with her dad and grandma Goodman), laughing, eating, touching mom and dad's faces, taking a bath, going for walks, and playing with whatever electronics she can get into her hands before we catch her. She likes to give me juicy kisses and is a great snuggler when she's sleepy. I'm so lucky to have this little girl!

See the Resemblance?

I'll spare you any further details like the signature on the bum.

A Man's Job vs A Woman's Job

So I've never thought of myself as a super homemaker. I don't sew my own clothes, or even hem a pair of pants. I didn't make my own bread or can my own peaches. I did like mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, etc. But then I got married and had a child and now I'm Suzie Homemaker and I love it! Plus I tried to mow the lawn the other day and broke the mower. So I decided I want to stick to the woman jobs.

Last Saturday was the perfect example of the differences in a man's job and a woman's job and I couldn't help but share.

This is B, being a MAN. We're tearing up our tiny patio out back and making a large one with a pergola. He is such a Mr. Fixer and I love him for that! (More pics to come of our progress). While he was using these man tools this is what E and I were doing...

Yes, jam. I love making my own bread, canning meat, jams, etc. I've begun to sew (mostly toys for E...maybe we'll get to clothes at some point). I've just come to appreciate a woman's job and I'll choose jam over demolition any day!

That Can't Be Comfortable!

Let me explain...E has a funny sleeping position. She loves to be on her side and crank her head back as far as it can go. She prefers to have her face up against the side of the crib bumper and a blanket on the other cheek. I often find her in positions that just can't be comfortable.

B put E to bed tonight while I was at Young Women's. I went to check on her when I got home and found this. Sleep tight E.

Why Blog?

That seems to be the question I'm asking myself right now. Why start a blog? Am I going to have time for this...do people really care? Probably not but I'm doing it anyway. And here are my reasons why.

1. The reason everyone else starts a blog...to show off. I have an adorable daughter that needs to get her face out there to wow the world! (Not to mention the other things I can show off such as my latest projects).

2. Maybe other stay at home moms can relate to this one. Sometimes I feel like I have something great to say but my 9-month old just won't understand. I need my voice to be heard!

3. Journal/Scrapbook. I don't do either but wish I did. Problem solved.

4. Peer pressure and submission to wordly standards. I just got my first iPod so why not start a blog. Come on lady, catch up with the times.

So here we go, hooray for blogging!