Canning Continued...

I have a lot of fruits I want to preserve this weekend! Here's what I want to make:

Cherry Jam

Brandied Cherries

Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce

Apricot Jam

I don't think it's all going to happen. We are really pretty busy this weekend. Pool party and bbq tomorrow. Church at the falls Sunday. Possibly a friend over for dinner that evening. Oh, and date night tonight. My date has ditched me the last three Fridays. I'm told tonight is going to be EXTRA special.

What are you guys planning to do?

I love weekends!!! Don't you?

xoxo

Rachel

Canning

It was such a gorgeous day here yesterday! I went to the grocery store this morning and picked up this canning kit and a bunch of jars they were on sale, plus I had coupons. I came home and unpacked my supplies. The children read and worked in their workbooks. We had lunch and then kids and I spent a few hours with the Buckmans at the pool. Susie and I read while the kids kept cool in the water. Brian was home when we got back. He noticed our supplies and said I guess we are doing some canning? I smiled, and he said I'm really excited and I said I know me too! Yup were totally nerds. We have a few ideas of what we might can salsa, maybe pickled beets. We have to poke around some books and see what appeals to us. If you have any pointers or have a great canning recipe to share I would love to hear about it!

xoxo

Rachel

The Wicked Stepmother

Yesterday my darling son and I had to have a little tete a tete. I was watching Tyler and Mira, and whenever this happens Ian has difficulty following directions. You see he adores his cousin Tyler, he is the older brother that he will never have. I guess it is the next best thing. We were headed out to our newly remodeled library that we love! I had asked Ian repeatedly to get the Ferdinand book. He was looking all over the house for it. I told him to check downstairs on top of the dresser. By now he is in tears, and he can't find it. So I check, and where do you think it is friends? Yup on the dresser. I asked him again to go get it. He then came up to me and asked me if I was his Stepmom. I said yes, actually I am your wicked Stepmother. He looked at me, and said no you are not. I then told him that I loved him very much, but he needed to listen and focus when I give him directions. I'm sure it went out one ear, but I am hoping at some point it stays in that adorable head of his.

These photos have nothing to do with this story. I just noticed that "my boys" were matching tonight and Ian of course loved that. He luuuvs his Daddy...so sweet. Ian doesn't know it yet, but his is a very lucky little boy to have a Daddy that adores him so much, and would do anything for him.

xoxo

Rachel

Natural Beauty

I love home made beauty products. I was reading Beauty Bets my favorite beauty blog, and was interested in trying a few of her ideas. The first was a facial steam. Cleanse your face first. Then grab a handful of your favorite herb (mint, rosemary, or whatever you like). Place the herbs in your sink and close the drain. Next boil a pot of water. Once the water has boiled pour it into your sink. Place your face over the sink and cover your head with a towel relax and allow your face to "steam" for 10- 15 minutes.
Next up was a home made mask. Take one tablespoon of fresh orange juice and one tablespoon of baking soda and mix together. These two ingredients do not completely incorporate. Carefully spread the mixture all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. This makes two applications so you may want to do it with a friend or save the rest for later. The mask does tend to make your face feel itchy, so make sure to keep occupied while it dries. Once it has dried wet your fingers and in a circular motion rinse off all of the mask. Pat dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.


I have used the mask a few times and love it! The steam is great too! Katie had a friend over and they had so much fun having facials. I think these is a great sleepover party idea. Warning: if your daughter has a younger brother he may want to join in on the fun.


xoxo
Rachel

Bits of Encouragement

"God has given us two hands. One to receive with and the other to give with."

-Billy Graham

P.S.

It's my brother-in-law Ron's birthday today! Please send him bday wishes on fb if you are friends with him. Happy Birthday Ronnie!!!

xoxo

Rachel

Bits of Encouragement

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

xoxo

Rachel

Work-out!!!!

I picked this up from Target this past week, and "tested" it out last night. All I have to say is WOW!! I got a major work-out in 20 minutes. I'm already in love right there. Anyone can do these exercises. What I mean is you don't have to be a gymnast to use this video. She doesn't waste time, which maximizes your work out time. Jillian is hard core, but she makes you feel like you can do it. Love, love it!! I'm not sure the last time I said that about working out.

I'm taking a little break next week so I won't be blogging much.

Happy weekend, and have a great week friends!

xoxo

Rachel

Benjamin Franklin

Ian had been wanting a one hundred dollar bill for a while. He kept asking for one from the tooth fairy and we told him that was not going to happen. So Brian made a deal with him that if he got %100 on every spelling test for the whole school year he would give him a $100 bill and he could put it in his "college money." Well, he did get one letter wrong on one word, he forgot the u in around. Bri said he would give him another chance, and thankfully he did get %100 on the remaining tests. Great job Ian!!

P.S.

The Navy dress sold out (I got the last one)!

Navy love

My sister Elizabeth just posted photos of a few new dresses she got in her shop. This one is calling my name and it is most definitely a Rachel dress. What do you think? Would you wear a dress like this?

P.S. if you're on facebook and you like fashion become a fan of Picky Girl.

xoxo

Rachel

Thoughts on parenting

These two people make me very happy. Like most of you, much of my time is devoted to my children. My time is spent making lunches, doing laundry, chauffeuring them around to their various activities, listening to them, playing with them and of course loving them. I love doing all of these things for my children, some days more than others. The reason being, I know that this role that I play in my children's life is fleeting. I of course will always listen to them and love them, but some of the other day to day tasks will not be needed, and that's the way it should be right?

These precious little people have been given to me for short period of time. During that time I must help them learn to fly on their own. What a privilege to play such a huge role in their lives. I take this privilege very seriously, but at the same time I know that I must lead a balanced life.

Have you ever thought about what your life will be like once your nest is empty? Brian and I had quite a bit of time just the two of us before our children were born. We met in 1989 and Katie was born in 1997. We spent those years getting to know one another, falling in love, and building our home together. Before these two cuties came along.

It is interesting thought isn't it? What will life be like when the kids are gone. Sure we joke about the freedom and the quiet. But how will we really feel? We don't have much choice in their leaving, and frankly they should fly away. That's what we should want for our kids right? We want them to grow up to go to college, have successful careers, find a partner who adores them, have children, and have a beautiful life. We want them to grow up.

The leaving is kind of hard though isn't it. The routine of having a family. I suppose that is why there is such a thing as the "empty nest" syndrome. There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to miss these two more than I can even imagine. My hope is that Brian and I are doing enough now though that this blow won't be so hard.

God does not just call me to be a Mother to these two. He calls me to be a wife, daughter, sister, friend, worker, encourager, and many other things. I am supposed to do all of these things to glorify him. Parenting is a privilege not a right. I will of course always be their Mom. I won't be parenting the same though. I hope that I love my children unconditionally when they are grown. I hope that I am able to give them the space they need to have their family and make their choices and mistakes. Parenting is a privilege it is one of the most self-less roles that we play. It isn't about us, but about them.

When my children are grown I want to be thankful for the time that I had with them, but I also want to live life to the fullest! I don't want to be so caught up in the past that I can't live in the present.

One of the things I love about the blog world is reading all the activities that you are involved in. Some of you are athletes, small business owners, and crafters. Some of you have changed careers so you could be with your family more.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this post and what you are doing to live a well-balanced life.

Happy Tuesday friends!

xoxo

Rachel

Bits of Encouragement

Our favorite lily bloomed this past weekend. It brought this hymn to both mine and Brian's mind and I thought I would share the words with all of you.

I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;He tells me every care on Him to roll.

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols tornFrom my heart and now He keeps me by His power.Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,While I live by faith and do His blessèd will;A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessèd face,Where the rivers of delight shall ever roll

.

~Words by Charles Fry (1881)

The graduate

It seems like just yesterday that I picked you up from your first day of Kindergarten. It was a beautiful sunny day. I had your heavy 15-month old brother on my hip. The school bell rang and you ran out of the door as fast as you could. You pink skirt was flying up and your long dark pigtails were whipping around. You yelled out it was GREAT Mom, and ran into my arms! I was so happy to see you. I never cried your first day of Kindergarten like everyone said I would, but I am crying now. I love you so much Katie! We are all so very proud of the young woman you are becoming!!!

xoxo

Mom

Fun on the 4th!!!

I love this new Ralph Lauren table cloth I got at Home Goods!

Stella

Run for your life!!!

Watch out girls!!!!!!!!

Fun new plates for the kiddos!!

I hope you all had some SERIOUS fun!!!

xoxo

Rach

Have a safe and Happy 4th friends!!!

xoxo

Rachel

p.s.

I'm going to make these for brunch on Sunday. I think it's a cute idea.

We took the plunge!

June 26th, 1993 Mr. Young and I took the plunge. We made a commitment until death do us part. We promised to laugh and cry to together. We promised to put God first in our marriage. Life has lots of ups and downs, but being with Brian has been a wonderful journey through it all.
To celebrate we decided to go to dinner. Katie was still on her trip and my parents watched Ian. We had a wonderful dinner at Ristorante Luci it poured rain most of our time there we reminisced of how our wedding was so perfect and beautiful. We came back to our quiet home and watched a little t.v. and then had our wonderful buttercream cake. This cake is seriously amazing friends!!
Brian and I don't usually exchange gifts for our anniversary, but this year we decided too. We took the plunge again and got smart phones. I know we are probably the only family that doesn't have phones. Since Katie is getting a little older now and almost a teenager we figured she would be wanting one soon as well. We thought we better get some first. So here is what we got.


Hers...

His...



Now I just need to learn how to use the thing! So excuse me while I read a tutorial. Have a beautiful day!

xoxo
Rachel