Typical Conversation Between Nat and Ann

Natalie: Annie, say "leap"

Annie: Buckle!

Natalie: No, Annie, say "leap"

Annie: Mommy! Daddy, Daddy.

Natalie: No! Annie, say "leap"

Annie: Buckle!

Natalie: NOOOO! Annie, say LEAP

Annie: Leaf

Natalie: Now say "frog"

Annie: Fwog

Natalie: Mommy, Annie just said "leap frog".

Growing Up Too Quick

Sometimes I look at my girls and think, "When did this happen?" I love watching them grow, but it's always a little sad to see them leave certain stages. I sure do love these girls.

 

 

Reading In Bed

This is what my days look like around 7pm. I love reading to my girls.

Machine Quilting

I'm trying my hand at machine quilting. You may remember this quilt from awhile back, I finally brought it out of the closet. It's quilted and ready to be bound, yay!

I Made a Shirt

My first since I had sewing lessons from my Mom when I was 10. I believe the fabric was white with gold hearts back then. So, it was kinda fun, although I must have had to pick out 17 seams. A stitch in time really does save nine, who woulda thought? I'm a speed sewer though, I just want to get it done as quickly as possible, but it's hard to get it done quick when you sew the sleeve on in the wrong direction...twice.

Front

Back, yea I know, looks the same.

Flower Fields '09

Down by the Carlsbad outlets are the flower fields, and April and May are the perfect months to go visit, which is when the flowers are in bloom. My mom, sister-in-law Amy, and I took the girls down last month and had a great time! Of course there are great photo opportunities everywhere, except for the stupid yellow caution tape!! What the? Really! There's also a cute playground there, a rose garden, and a bird garden. Then we had lunch at Islands afterward, a great way to spend the morning!

You can see the caution tape in these pictures a little. This is Lizzie, my little niece, she looks exactly like my brother Jeff, but female.

Freezer Jam

Have you tried making freezer jam yet? It's really not hard at all, and you don't need any special equipment (you do for the jam you store on your shelves, but not for this kind).

Here's a list of things you'll need if you want to make it:

strawberries (about 3 baskets)
lemon juice
sugar
corn syrup (karo brand)
fruit pectin (sold in baking aisle)
jars to put it in

The directions are in the fruit pectin, so you don't even need a recipe. It took me about 1 1/2 hours to make 2 batches, which is about 10 jars.

And if you live in this area, I don't think you can find better strawberries than at the Farmers Market off of Alipaz in San Juan Capistrano. Be warned, it is a bit on the pricey side...but so worth it.

Someone Figured Out Photo Booth