Monday Meandering

One of these days I'm going to have time to breathe. Between the garden, remodeling, and being out of town nearly every weekend for the past month, this last weekend we actually got to stay home and play catch up. Between the two of us, we got a lot done. First things first, on June 17th, I received this beautiful bouquet of roses from my hubby for our 15th wedding anniversary. We didn't have any money to do anything special, due to the remodeling, but we did get to go out to a steak dinner.We are enjoying getting to eat some of our fresh veggies out of the garden. Don't have much on right now, just turnips, lettuce and a few strawberries, but the weather finally decided to warm up this weekend and things are really taking off. I'm chopping the turnips along with their green tops and freezing them to use in gumbo throughout the year. Click here for Jackie's Gumbo Recipe.Here is a picture of the garden. We've got a lot of weeds growing up through the straw because we didn't have enough newspaper down. We sure have learned a lot. I keep planting more and more. Somebody stop me! I've got a lot of wasted space in my garden that I will remedy next year. Finally got my herbs planted.I've really been working with Josiah and being intentional about training him to do more chores. We've been working on "instant obedience" and having a "yes, mom attitude". Things are getting better, slowly but surely. Here he is helping me clean out the chest freezer and it was his idea to use his snow shovel that he bought at a yard sale. It worked perfectly! He was so proud of himself.Here is Hailey Baby in the dress she wore to church this Sunday. She was so cute, I just had to take a picture. She always has such nice clothes to wear, thanks to her Aunt Abby.This was Michael's big project this weekend. You are looking at a finished dining room/office and hallway hardwood floor! I love the color. We still have to put trim around the edge. We'll wait a few days to move furniture on to it.We're hoping to get the living room floor done this coming weekend. Our goal is to have everything done by the end of July.  This was Michael's Sunday project. He put lathing and the first coat of mortar around the door to prep it for the stacked rock we're going to put on tonight. I'm so happy with the green pediment, crown head and pillisters around the door. I think it adds just a touch of class. Now picture it with stacked stone all around it and along the foundation. I can't wait to see the results!The other thing I managed to do this weekend was make a bunch of fresh, raw strawberry jam. Click here for my recipe. This stuff is so good and so good for you. I use raw honey to sweeten. I'm surprised I got as much as I did, since the kids ate their share. My freezer was almost empty and it feels good to be getting it stocked up a little bit at a time. God is good!

Haven't had time to ride or do anything really fun. Michael has informed me that he won't be doing anymore remodeling projects during the summer because we are missing out on too much fun. We haven't even had time to yard sale, something we love to do and it really helps the budget, especially in the clothes department. We need to find some cheap quart jars in preparation for pickling season. We could use some 1/2 pints, too. We also need a bike for Josiah since he has outgrown his old one. Can't believe how tall that kid is getting! Hopefully we'll get to go yard saling one of these days.

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July! Don't forget to teach your kids why we celebrate this great holiday. Blessings to you all!

Jackie