Old Salem...

In September, my family and I took a trip to Old Salem here in NC for their "Home School Days". We had so much fun and got to see a lot of really neat stuff. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Is there anyone still out there?

Well, I have to admit. I haven't much felt like writing on this blog of mine lately. I really want to change that. I'm not sure if there is still anyone who reads this thing or not, but I suppose I'll come up with more to say more often. ; ) More to come in a bit!

Yours truly...

A bit of self promotion....

Today my mother and I opened up an Etsy shop together! I'm very excited. We are selling handmade wet/needle felted baby toys, cat toys, crocheted and knitted hats and scarves. We hope to start selling baby wipes and cloth menstrual pads soon as well. 
The Indigo Forest  

Summer's End...

Ah, Just feast your eyes on that! Summer is almost over and even though the days of outdoor grilling will continue around here, looking at these photos just reminds me of how summer is coming to an end. (And yes, it was a chance for me to share with you my food photography obsession...lol). I am very much looking foward to the cooler weather and days spent inside baking, crafting, cooking, learning, and so much more. And hopefully even more time spent outside as well. At the end of the week, my family and I will be taking a trip to Old Salem here in NC for their Homeschool Days. I am very excited and hope to share many pictures with you. Stay tuned!

http://www.oldsalem.org/homeschool-days.html

Kudzu Blossom Jelly...

This Summer has brough many wonderful things. I'm thankful to God for everthing he has created for us. That being said, Summer is almost over with and I'm glad I got the chance to make this lovely little jar of goodness. (actually it was 3 jars : )  Anywho....for those who have never heard of Kudzu, its often referred to as "the plant/vine that ate the south". Sounds kind of funny, but its true...it grows everywhere here. Ever since I moved here I have seen this plant. Taking over buildings and woods. Anything thats in it's path. However, I have never got close enough to it to realize that it has the most beautiful flowers on it. They grow in a cluster. Beautiful shades of violet. My SIL informed me that she had a bunch of Kudzu behind her house and that it was coverd in blossoms. That made me think..... My husband had told me of Kudzu jelly. I decided to look up a recipe! We spend an evening at my SIL and I spent a good amount of time hand gathering all of these wonderful blossoms. The first thing I noticed was the smell! It smelled of grapes and blueberries, but unique at the same time. I was very excited to say the least. I went home, immediately washed the flowers and began the jelly making process. (mind you, this was my first attempt at making jelly in my whole life!)  The results were amazing! Its the most unique flavor. Very delicious!

~*Kudzu Blossom Jelly*~

*4 Cups of Kudzu blossoms (make sure they haven't been sprayed with chemicals)

*4 Cups of boiling water

*1 Tbs lemon juice

*1 (1 3/4 oz) Package of powdered fruit pectin

*5 Cups of sugar

Wash blossoms in cold water, strain and place in a clean bowl

Pour 4 cups of boiling water over blossoms and refrigerate for at least 6 hours

Strain liquid through a colander into a Dutch oven, discarding flowers

Add lemon juice and pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat stirring constantly

Stir in sugar, return to a full rolling boil. Boil stirring constantly for 1 minute.

Remove from heat, skim off foam with a spoon

At this point you can pour the jelly into jars to store regularly (like I did) or you can choose to can them like you normally would for preserving them for long periods of time.

Store jelly in the fridge.

**Note: The liquid will appear gray and dull before you add the lemon juice, then it will be the most amazing shade of pink!!

Enjoy!

I love Wild Crafting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~*3 years*~

Yesterday was my Honey Bear's birthday. He is now 3 years old! How did that happen?

"Today you are You, that is truer that true. There is no one alive that is Youer than You." Dr. Seuss

Outside...

Yesterday was spent enjoying the summer rain and walking through a yard full of color and life.

Our Outdoor Celebration...

~*Happy Independence Day Weekend My American Friends*~

What a lovely weekend it was. Family and friends and a nice day in the park. We enjoyed the lovely music from the North Carolina Symphony and watched fireworks. It was a lot of fun. The boys especially enjoyed it. I hope that EVERYONE had a lovely weekend!!

                 Rowie is getting ready to take off!

                                                   ...

                                   My love.

                                 Trying to be daddy.

                              My little Sunshine Boy.

                                         ...

                               My big boy and I

                        A lovely ending to the night...

This Summer's Goals...

I have made a new list of summer goals this year. It goes a little something like this:

* Find more time to get outdoors
* Visit the farmers market more often (check out a few different ones as well)
* Try my hand at making my own homemade laundry soap
* Learn how to be more relaxed and just enjoy myself and my family
* Find more yummy real food recipes to try out
* Take more photographs!
* Read more (especially the Bible)
* Attend church more
* Visit the city more often
* Find  a good homemade bread recipe
* Experiment with different teas for yummy iced tea!
* Find more toddler friendly/eco friendly crafts for my little one to do
* Sew more
* Get more organized
* Perhaps...make myself a new skirt. (yeah, I think thats a good idea *wink)
* To overall be more patient, kind, loving, and respecting.
(Of course this list is one that I would say is "ever growing and ever changing)
A new season always brings me a feeling of being able to start over. I love that. I hope your summer goals are all met this year. Have fun!

Perfection...

what more can I say?