recently

I've been trying to make more of an effort to teach my girls life long skills like cooking. I'm good from time to time including them in what I do, but for the most part it's much easier to just whip dinner up quickly rather than try to teach them to chop. I wish I had given more time to this over the years as I'm finding how enjoyable this time together is and as long as I allow for plenty of time to cook, I have quite a bit of patience.

I've been thinking about making jewelry. I bought a few jewelry supplies years ago to make some earrings and a few bracelets, but that was the extend of my jewelry phase. I've had the urge recently to pull it out and get reacquainted with my stuff. More specifically I'm thinking stamped metal jewelery and using bezel pieces with my photography.


I've been volunteering at the school once a week. Each year I've always volunteered in some way, but this year I really wanted to go at least once a week to each classroom. It takes up a good portion of my Thursday mornings, but find it invaluable to get to know the teachers and children in the classroom with my girls.

Are your kids as into the silly bandz as mine? I've only bought a few packs, but they are eager for more after seeing from their friends at school just how many one arm can hold. There's a boy in Megan's class that's wearing 150. He told me he never takes them off. Oh dear.

I keep wondering how long the skunk will stay in our backyard and it's just now occurring to me that it's taken up permanent residence...is it possible he'll stay for the winter? We are on the list for a trap from the county, but apparently so is everyone else because it's been over 6 weeks and we still don't have it yet. UGH! While I want so badly to have a fondness for it, thinking, at least we don't have problems with other critters, he's making it awfully difficult to enjoy the cooler mornings.

As we drove up to Park City last weekend we were delighted to see the colors starting to change (took this photo while Adam was driving on the freeway). I will admit though, my initially reaction was, so soon. It's so hard to believe we are doing this again...autumn, Halloween, darker evenings, etc. While I'm looking forward to the change, I guess I hesitate because I don't want it to happen too fast. I want it to slow down a bit, not change too quickly, so autumn can linger a little longer this year. Love the fall.

have a good one.

xxox, amy

finally giving PW a try

I've heard about Pioneer Woman for a long time now from Robyn and Hannah. Just recently after this post I decided it was time to give her a try...after all I want to be eating as well as the rest of you. The first thing I saw when I visited her site was this and I knew then that my family would never have boring same old meals again. Robyn she is my hero too.

I was intrigued by her site and so impressed by the amount of details she gives for each dish. Seriously, with her help anyone can be a cook. After searching through for a few minutes last week this recipe for strawberry jam caught my attention. I've always wanted to make jam, but was too afraid. I don't know, I guess I was intimidated by the inevitable jars not sealing properly and exposing my family and friends to botulism.

Enter domestic diva I can try anything (once) Amy...I tried it.


[photo by Adam. Check out my cute apron...first time wearing it. I knew I would have a hard time getting it messy.]

Round of applause please....I made jam, for the first time in my life. It feels like quite the accomplishment except I didn't follow her recipe exactly because I didn't have a big pot and didn't want to spend the money on it right now. Instead I did freezer jam. Definitely less complicated, but still intimidating nevertheless.



When I was done, took about 40 minutes, I had made 7 8oz jars of some fantastic raspberry jam if I do say so myself. Ok, so Megan doesn't like it, but Bella does and I do, so that's 2 out of 3 (Adam and Tess have still yet to try it). The best thing I have found about this jam, other than it tastes good and was easy to make, is they're perfect for sharing...I only have 1 jar left in my freezer! I think I'll be making a few more batches this weekend so we're stocked up this winter.

PS If you're not into cooking and never want to be still give Pioneer Woman a try. She's a great writer and is an amazing photographer with great tips. But I'm sure you already knew that...I think I'm the slow learner here.