...when you're having fun! Well...I had at least a couple of days of "fun". We spent the Labor Day weekend at a cabin in Island Park with the Sponenburghs. It was really a nice get-away...and we even took the kids to Yellowstone Park. Sadly, my kids have never been there, even though it is so close to us! I guess that I just don't really think that you should have to deal with crowds in nature...isn't that why you go into the mountains? To get away from it all? It was not the best day for visiting the park...it was SUPER BUSY, but I have to admit we still had a good time, and my kids were glad to finally see the park. Thanks Andrea and Casey...as those who know me at all, it is nothing short of a small miracle that David and I (who are totally anti-social) would actually go somewhere with someone besides family, and actually have a great time! Just in case you wondering (and if not, I'll tell you anyways), Andrea (or Andy as I call her) has been a friend since high school. She is just the cutest little thing, and I am like this gigantic person next to her. I think she is the only person I have consistently stayed in touch with since high school. I have some great photos of her and I from high school I will have to share sometime...
When we got back in town, Russell was so PUMPED because grandpa took him Dove hunting. He was on cloud nine getting to go hunting with his grammpa!
I have settled back into the everyday life here at home. David is approaching his busiest time of year (not that I can imagine him being gone anymore than he already is...I feel like a single mom). He is so busy coordinating everything, working ground and preparing for the upcoming potato harvest.
The garden is never-ending at this point. I have been canning and freezing like crazy! I have froze peas, carrots, green peppers, strawberries, raspberries and corn...can I just say that we make a whole LOT of freezer corn! David plants the whole hill behind our house in corn, and we all get together and freeze enough to feed everyone during harvest and then enough to feed our family, his parents, each of his siblings and even my mom comes and helps! We go through a lot of corn! We also all get together and make TONS of strawberry freezer jam. I think that with my family alone, we go through about 1 container of jam a week (it mostly goes on the weekly homemade bread, PB&J sandwiches and often on waffles).
I have also been canning: pickled banana peppers, dill pickles (slices and whole pickles), bread and butter pickle slices, strawberry syrup, green beans and next week will probably be spent canning salsa and spaghetti sauce since my 25 tomato plants are about ripe! I have peach trees up in our orchard that are getting ripe and so those will be another item for next week. I know, I know...I must be crazy...but besides being healthy and good for you, the home grown/froze/canned stuff just tastes a lot better. And lets face it, I have four kids to feed. I think I get the desire to do this stuff from my grandma Russell (yes...Russell is my maiden name, and it is also my son's name since I didn't have any brothers to carry on the family name). She always grew a huge garden and canned the most delicious things. It doesn't help that my husband is a farmer, and he loves growing anything, so he is always buying and planting things. He even planted a bunch of cold hardy apricot and cherry trees in our orchard this year...and I have already dog eared some blueberries in a catalog I want to order for next year. Gosh...it's never ending, but I obviously enjoy it, or I wouldn't do it! I will admit though...I am looking forward to the gardening season to be over for a while...I need a rest! I am so thankful for the seasons...I love the summer, and I love yard work/garden work/playing outside, but there comes a time when I would just like to relax a little and stay inside.
School is going great for the kids...we still have a few moments of nervousness every day before Lily goes to class, but she is getting better, and makes it through once we get her there. My sister is coming home from Canada today to visit for a couple of weeks, and I can't wait to see her and my little niece Addilyn. We have some fun sewing projects planned, and I am looking forward to spending time with her and my mom.
PHEW...now that my post has gone on and on forever! I am so sorry I didn't get the winners of the cookie post up sooner. Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for sharing your favorite cookie recipes!!! I can't wait to try them! I have had a lot of requests for more info about my freezer meal swaps, so I will try to put together a post on this subject sometime soon (time permitting). Congrats to
CHAROLETTE A. and ELISE DEMILLE email me at sherellech@msn.com to claim your cookbook!
Oh...and just a note to anyone who might have emailed me in the past few weeks. I have been having some real issues with my email, and it deleted a lot of messages that I know I didn't get to reply too. PLEASE email me again, and don't be offended if I didn't answer you!!! I'm off to cook dinner and watch Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace (two of the only shows I actually watch) in the process...I hope you are all having a wonderful week! Hugs!
watch out for that avian flu, russell.
Posted by: Kris | October 06, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Hi Sherelle. I love reading your blog!! I gave you an award on my blog today too!
Posted by: Dawn Knapp | September 12, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Hi Sherelle...love your blog. I gave you an award on my blog today! :)
Posted by: Heather Ruwe | September 11, 2008 at 09:08 AM
wowzers, love all the canning you got going on. my poor garden was froze to a crisp this week! i was only able to get a few green beans & pickles this year. oh & pumpkins. hopefully they get green! I think we were in Yellowstone at the same time. I like you try to avoid the crowds there...but it is always busy there...even in winter! We are only 1.5 hours away from there & love to go...can't believe it was your kiddos first time! my girls call it the "stinky place"! got many great photos! yours rock...as usual!
Posted by: Janelle in MT | September 10, 2008 at 12:21 AM
The manner of planting a rose plant is similar to that of other plants. The soil must be healthy. If you have experience planting shrubs, you are well-qualified to plant any kind of rose plant too, since the method is the same.
Posted by: plants and trees | September 09, 2008 at 02:20 AM
what great pictures and a fun little getaway! Glad you had fun!
Posted by: Hilary | September 08, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Looks like you had a fun vacation trip with your family and friends! The pictures are spectacular and I'd love to visit there someday. I did send you an email asking you what your thoughts were on Windows Vista as I just got a new Dell laptop and am in the process of finding out what works and what doesn't. I've heard so many bad things about Vista and now I find out that many of my programs are not compatible either. I just purchased Art Explosion Scrapbook Factory Deluxe Version 4.0 yesterday as none of my others are compatible with Vista. Which ones do you use? I post a fair amount of photos on my blog, but you sure have me beat!! You sure are busy, girl!!! Love all the canning and cooking and freezing that you all do! Take Care!! Thanks for your Thoughts!!
Posted by: Jeanne | September 06, 2008 at 02:14 AM
Go canner girl go!
Posted by: Emily | September 06, 2008 at 01:20 AM
Go canner girl go!
Posted by: Emily | September 06, 2008 at 01:20 AM
Wow Sherelle, good for you with all the home-grown fruits and veggies! They're makin' me hungry!
I just found your blog in the last week or so and I'm so glad I did!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Posted by: Dawn McVey (dawnsing) | September 06, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Great pictures!!! You have the cutest family. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: jackie | September 05, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Oh my those pickles look sooooooo YUMMY, looks like a fun get away.
Posted by: Marcy Buchanan | September 05, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Your so inspiring! I love that there are still Mom's who love to CAN. I just made Salsa. I need to still make Strawberry Jam. I'm still waiting for my berries from Oregon. I thought I would mention that my son who is 6 is named Russell. I named him after my Mom's maiden name. I love it when people use maiden names for kids names.
Posted by: Holly Rice | September 05, 2008 at 02:57 PM
oh my gosh! I can't believe that your kids haven't been to Yellowstone until now! I bet they loved it!
Posted by: Alicia King | September 05, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I'm so envious of all your freezing and canning! I grew up doing all of it, but now in AZ...well it's just not the same! I did however just order a box of peaches to can-If only I could just pick them off of my own tree! One day maybe I'll find the perfect place where it never got cold but still could have an awesome garden...if only! Good luck with harvest...one of my favorite memories living in So.Idaho!!
Posted by: Rachel | September 05, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Looks like a super fun weekend...it reminds me that we need to get to Yellowstone some time. I am like you, I HATE the crowds, but I guess I need to be thankful we have something so amazing in our backyard and to take advantage of it. Also, which cabin did you stay at? My parents have a cabin in IP but I really get tired of staying exclusivly there and would like to try something different. Way to go with all your canning! Looks like major work but the fruits of your labor will surely pay off in the dead of Idaho winter. Would you mind sharing your pickle recipes. I have always wanted to try them out, but am too timid to just dive in. Last of all, sorry long comment...are you willing to sell one of the cookbooks you gave away as the cookie prize. All your recipes are divine!
Posted by: Janiel | September 05, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Love Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace! And...just about anything on Fox News.
Posted by: kristan martin | September 05, 2008 at 12:56 AM
sounds like such a fun life, my daughter reads your blog and she wants to come be your nanny so she can learn to can and sew! She loves that you stay home and make a home!
Posted by: Kristi Ottmar | September 05, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Loved this whole post but the thing that got me most excited was that you watch GLENN! Heath and I LOVE him!
Posted by: Shelly B. | September 05, 2008 at 12:13 AM
pppppphhhhheeeeeewwwwwwwwww boy oh boy im i sure glad you guys are home. i've missed the poop out of ya!
Posted by: ashley warwick | September 04, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Wow! You guys are always so busy. You must be dreaming of veggies and fruits in your sleep. I am sure it is all worth it though and so rewarding. Your trip looks like it was amazing. I am looking forward to your posts once you start harvesting the potatoes. I really enjoy learning all about that.
Posted by: oceans5 | September 04, 2008 at 09:27 PM
when i grow up i am totally going to grow up to be you! i am not sure where you find the time for it all. like you..i often am a single parent..my husband is in the navy..I only have three wonderful daughters to keep track of. and one of them can do her own hair. So i am not sure where you find your energy and the time! but everything you touch seems to be wonderful!
thanks for sharing your life!
oxoxo
ronee
Posted by: ronee.malama | September 04, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Fun trip! It is funny that we don't go see all the amazing places that are close to us! Sandi told me about your cooking co-op. It is so cool how you do so much together as an extended family. Wish my SILs wanted to do things like that! And the canning and freezing! Busy! We must be doing about the same kinds of things! Please tell me when your cookbook is available. I would love to purchase it! Hugs Sherelle!
Posted by: lori jolley | September 04, 2008 at 07:51 PM
You are one busy girl Sherelle!!! Can you share the strawberry syrup recipe? Thanks!
Posted by: Terry Oler | September 04, 2008 at 07:51 PM