My Crazy Life...

5 Layer Jello...

 

I have had so many requests for this recipe after I posted my fourth of july photos...I have made this stuff for years. I used to make it with more layers...I think 9 layers. It's fun to do rainbow colors with the white...kids love it!

-4 pkg. (3 oz) Jello (you can choose your colors and flavors, but you'll want to do at least two different colors)

-4 pkg. Knox unflavored gelatin (there are usually three pkg. in one box, so you'll need to buy two boxes)

-1 can sweetened condensed milk

Step 1: Clear a spot in your freezer to help the jello set faster. Make sure it is level.

Step 2: Combine 1 pkg. flavored gelatin with 1/2 pkg. of unflavored gelatin. Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir well untill dissolved. Cool to room temperature and pour into a 9x13 glass pan. Place in freezer for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Combine one can sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup boiling water. Stir until mixed. In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 pkg. knox gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Let stand a few minutes, and then add 1/2 cup boiling water to dissolve gelatin. Add to milk mixture and stir well to combine. Cool to room temperature and gently pour one cup over your first layer of gelatin. Return to freezer for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Repeat step 2  using a different color of jello.

Step 5: Repeat step 3.

Step 6: Repeat step 2.

Step 7: Refrigerate...slice or cut with cookie cutters just before serving.

Strawberries...

So...these photos are from July 2...the kids and I picked our first batch of strawberries from the garden. I let the kids help pick the berries from the sides of the patch, and I kept getting on their case for stepping on the plants and smashing them. The patch is extremely healthy this year, and I was marveling at all of the baby strawberries that would soon be growing and rippening. We brought all of the strawberries we picked inside and made some yummy strawberry lemonade. I was really looking forward to more fresh strawberries throughout the summer.

 

And last night, while checking on my garden, my eyes were shocked to see not a single strawberry... and the plants completely smashed down. I guess that my ducks, geese, and roosters decided to venture into the garden and once they got a taste of those delicious berries, they went to town. So now, I'm pretty sad looking at these photos of these gorgeous strawberries. David fixed our fence so that they can't get in anymore, but I'm still sad. I am so attached to things like plants and anything in the garden. I'll admit that I cried last night. I guess I'll have to wait until next year :( At least I took some photos to remember our one, and only strawberry harvest this year...

(and for those who asked...Lily fell down at my grandma's house and hit her poor head on the driveway...she had quite the goose egg)

 

 

 

 

I haven't broken the news to Kate yet...she is my little strawberry sneaker...I don't think she'll be very happy.

4th of July...

  We had a crazy fun fourth of july celebration this year...just like always, fun with family. I am so thankful for a family that gets together and enjoys each other, and has so much fun together. I am super thankful that we can have all of that fun right here at home without having to travel to public parades and fireworks...BLECH! I can't stand crowds...and I just can't imagine a worse way to spend a holiday than fighting traffic and people. Thank goodness for a family that puts together our own country celebration! Heres a look at our fun day...

A few portraits (you know me...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were two new attractions at our fourth festivities this year...

The barrel train...it was a big hit...the kids are so grateful for Uncle Paul (and David) for building it...there were train rides throughout the day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second new attraction, was one that is quite possibly the most redneckish, but totally fun, none the less...the guys have recently decided to start moding and racing lawn mowers as a family event...we got our first peek at the mowers, and the stylish hats. Paul and David bought these hats at Army Surplus...and since they wouldn't stay on their heads while driving fast, they decided to be silly and duct tape them on...

 

 

 

 

In a sport so intense, there are quite often catastrophic breakdowns, and they need a little help getting the mowers back to the shop...

 

And Lily, well lets just say that she was way too interested in the whole lawn mower racing thing. We think she is going to be the offical pit girl. Uncle Paul even took her for a little ride...

 

 

homemade ice cream... 

 

 

 

water balloon fights...

 

yummy dutch oven dinner (can you believe i didn't take any pics of the dutch oven?) 

playing with cousins... 

 

 

swimming... 

 

and of course, slip and sliding...

 

 

 

 

 

 

the candy guesssing game...

 

 

and fireworks. I stopped at dusk and put the camera away to enjoy the big fireworks. Our family puts on a pretty good fireworks show.

 

  

This Land is My Land...

I opened the newspaper this afternoon when I was eating lunch...and when browsing through, I was suddently stopped at the free printed flag insert. I immediately had to leave the table, because it brought back memories of my great grandma Mellies. Her passing is still fresh in my mind, and I think about her almost every day. Today, when I saw that flag, I couldn't help but remember helping her hang her free flag on her front door. She hung it every year...and she left it up until the sun had faded the colors away. I think about her patriotism, and the fact that in modern generations, we don't really get it. We see this holiday as one for partying, picning, fireworks and get togethers. We often forget during all of these celebrations, what exactly we are celebrating. Seeing that flag today, and hanging it on my front door in honor of my country and my grandma, has helped to remind me of the lives that were lost...the horror that many of those who have gone before gave so unselfishly for me. They gave their lives that I may raise my family in peace...we can make our own decisions, and have the freedom to live our lives as we wish. I am so thankful for the blessings that I have received as an American. I am thankful for the rights that I have been given and that I can live in such a beautiful place. I'm looking forward to the family fun and festivities tomorrow, but I am going to keep the real meaning in my mind throughout the weekend. I want all of those who have served, or currently serve my country, to know how thankful I am for you. Thank you for defending and protecting me, my family and our country. May my fellow Americans enjoy your special day tomorrow, but please remember the sacrifice and years that so many have given to provide the freedoms that we enjoy today...

 

Camping Photography...

i decided to put these in a different post...Andrea and I played around with our cameras quite a bit on the camping trip, so i wanted to share some of the nicer images I captured...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were so many wildflowers this year with all of the wet weather...they were beautiful...

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you all have a great holiday weekend!!!

Camping Trip...

This past weekend, we finally got away for a camping trip. We went with our friends Andrea and Casey...and we had a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasure Hunting...

I've always had a love of old things...when I was in high school and college, I developed a love of the whole Shabby Chic thing, and it has stuck with me ever since. I have been having a lot of luck lately in my "treasure hunting". I've found some fun pieces to finally incorporate a little old with the new in my home. They've come from garage sales, antique stores and mostly thrift stores.

When I found this lamp, it was love at first sight! SO SHABBY...I had to have it. And the pink dishes...found them at a thrift store just the other day. They work perfect for storing jewelry...

 

I've also found a cute blue dish and some fun vintage pillow cases (to mix with the new ones)

  

And a cute table runner and figurine for my kitchen...

 

and this little salt and pepper shaker set...

Just for the Record...

My little sis (Shelby) is not pregnant. There were some inquiring minds who saw the recent family pic and wondered if she was sporting a baby bump. The answer is NO! I guess it was a combination of her dress and the way she was holding her hands/slouching...but the girl is only 13 people, and she has very high standards for herself :) Just wanted to set the record straight before she kills me!!!

After looking back at the pics though...I think it is a little funny, because she really does look preggo! LOL! I think she might burn that dress!

On the Farm...

just some pictures of the joys and happenings on our farm...

potatoes are growing nicely...

 

grain is growing nicely too...and the kids have been having a ball running through the fields and plopping down to hide from everyone...

 

 

The garden is doing well...despite the fact that we have had weeks of rain and very little sun...

 

 

and one little certain someone can't resist sneaking a few strawberries whenever she gets the chance. I have never seen a child so in love with strawberries!

 

 

Elmer and Lobo, our geese, are getting bigger each day...

 

 

hens are growing too...

 

My flowers are loving the wet, cool weather...

 

beautiful peonies...

 

 

My Catmint is HUGE this year... 

 

Pretty Painted Daisy...

 

and chores...this is how I mow the lawn every week... 

 

Not a lot has changed (besides our mower)...here we are doing the same thing two years ago...I'm not sure I'd know how to mow any other way.

 

Idaho Open Fiddle Contest...

 

I am trying to backtrack here a bit...since I haven't been the best at keeping my blog updated this summer! As you might remember, we traveled to Nampa a couple of weeks ago to participate in the Idaho Open Fiddle Contest. Grace won first place in the Small Fry Intermediate Division, Shelby won first place in the  Junior Intermediate Division and Lindsey won 3rd in the Junior Junior Intermediate Division. We were so proud of the girls and all of their hard work to get ready for this contest!

Here is the video of her first round...I had planned on uploading more videos, but it takes too long :( (you have to listen to her second song...it is a favorite of mine...but she accidentally hit the mic at one point...oops!)

I borrowed these next pics from a photographer at the event...I was busy filming Grace's performance, so I didn't take pictures, but I can't wait to order a couple of these, because she did a great job!

 

 

 

 

I even got in on some the action this year...Shebly and Lindsey wanted to enter the Showcase division, so I did some Irish Step Dancing while the played a Celtic tune...we even won $100 for best costume (even though they were just some old costumes I used to wear when I used to dance more often)... 

 

We stayed at my sister's house while we were out of town, and it worked out perfect that they had the new baby's blessing on the same weekend of the fiddle contest. They are such a cute little family...

 

 

 

We even snapped a few family pics...of course, Russell was at home working with David, so they weren't there...but it's been a while since we have had any sort of family picture...