Catching Up

It's been a while since I've posted much, so I thought I would get you all caught up on what's been happening around here the past few weeks.  The kids and I have been in such a good routine for school and we have successfully stayed on schedule for the first 7 weeks already!  I'm having so much fun watching the kids get excited about what we are learning and the new skills they are accomplishing.  We still have managed to get in a nature walk/fun adventure on Fridays and so the kids love it when Fun Day Friday comes each week!

One week we headed to Hovander Park to play on the old farm equipment and see the animals.

 The kids also had a ton of fun posing for pictures around the barns and kept running to a new spot and calling for me to take their picture.

I thought maybe I could get in a good one of all four for a Christmas picture, but it is impossible to get all of them looking and smiling by myself!

We also went to Stoney Ridge Farms for a day.  The kids liked looking at all the animals.

We even made it through the corn maze without finding a dead end or getting lost.

 Last week, we took a break from school so Hubby and I could get away for a few days and finally celebrate our anniversary this past summer.  Only 3 months late, not too bad. :)

We headed up to Victoria and had a beautiful day to ride the ferry.

 We stayed in a waterfront hotel, but the water view rooms where kinda pricey. Our view of the city wasn't too bad, though.

This is the roof top of the lobby right under our balcony so we had a nice view of some gardens too.

 The government buildings were very old and impressive looking.

Unfortunately, our camera battery died and I forgot to bring the cord to recharge it, so we didn't get any more pictures.  We went to the museum, walked around the harbor, took a water taxi across the harbor, and mostly just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.  I even managed to painlessly pass two kidney stones while we were there!  They were quite big too, so I'm surprised they didn't bother me much, just had to use the bathroom quite a bit (ok, a LOT!) the first day.  Here is a picture of one next to a dime to show you a size comparison.

Wish they were all that easy and hopefully I won't get any more!

Anyway, it's back to school and hopefully back into our routine quickly this week!

The Fruits of Our Labor

I think that it is finally time to put my canners away and start enjoying the fruits of our labor.

Top to bottom, left to right: Zucchini pickles, sweet relish, zucchini salsa, pears, apple pie filling, cherries, potatoes, beans, carrots, applesauce, jams/jellies, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  Along with the berries, corn, pork, and beef that are stuffed into the freezer, I think we are set for the winter!

This year, Sweetie was a good helper and I had fun teaching her some of the basics of canning.  She calls herself the canning princess.

This year I also discovered these great reusable lids from Tattler and am hoping to switch over to them for all my canning next year.

What did you get preserved this summer to enjoy in the coming winter?

Waiting For Morning {Review}

Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors.  I have read almost every one of her books.  I read her book Waiting For Morning a couple years ago, but when I had the chance to read it again for review, I took it.  It was just as good the second time! Hannah Ryan unexpectedly loses her husband and daughter to a drunk driver, and her other daughter survives the accident with injuries. Hannah becomes so obsessed with making sure that the driver gets his punishment that she forgets about God and neglects her surviving daughter. Hannah must learn how to forgive and trust in God again.  I love how Karen Kingsbury uses a crisis to show how God can bring someone to a place of forgiveness and peace.

As Hannah Ryan waits for her family to return home from a camping trip, she realizes she has everything going for her—a husband other women admire, two charming teenage daughters, and a loving Christian home. As the sunny afternoon turns into twilight, her uneasiness grows along with the shadows. Then a car pulls into Hannah’s driveway, bringing two police officers...and devastating news that shatters her life forever.
In the days that follow, Hannah struggles with unspeakable feelings of sorrow and rage—feelings that fuse into one chilling purpose for living: revenge against Brian Wesley, the drunk driver who has caused all her pain.
In her fury, Hannah shuts the Lord out of her life. She’s determined not to forgive Wesley or the God who allowed this tragedy to happen. Can two caring people help Hannah rediscover her faith...before bitterness destroys her?

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I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

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