week in review

Thanks Aunty Lolo for the adorable dress. I promise to get a better photo of her in it. Anyone notice the 'band aid' on her leg - she stole a panty liner from the bathroom, stuck it to herself, and subsequently pronounced that her leg was "much bettah." All this while I am trying to get ready to get out of the house and go grocery shopping.

The Galbraith clan came for pizza on Friday night. I made a good 'ol pepperoni, mushroom, olive, and onion, and a spinach, chicken, artichoke heart and shallot pizzas - homemade crust and sauce... I wish I knew how to make cheese. Here's Bitty and Maggie enjoying popsicles after dinner.

My first photo ever with a touch of sun flare - this one's for you Aunty 'Taci.

We also had a lovely lunch/postpartum visit with Kristin on Wednesday. She's such a great gal.

Food

I love to eat. Here's the last few days culinary delights...

A poppyseed cake with raspberry jam & custard filling. It was prepared for Uncle Russ' birthday, but it was his 60th and he was a no show... pouting at home over becoming, officially, an old fart.

I also made cooked raspberry jam (the last post was freezer jam). Ingredients above.

Stirring the pot!

Prepared jars being placed in water bath for processing.

Yum.

This lovely treat is a homemade turkey pot pie... my friend Pamela made them for us so that when I didn't feel like cooking I could pull them from the freezer and VOILA, dinner! They were so delicious and she even decorated them with an S for Stagg. Good work Pam.

Raspberry Jam

Raspberries are ready, we picked, and decided to make freezer jam... it was a busy, busy Saturday!

boss' backhoe & pickling

Here's Boss' backhoe, Aunty Staci driving, Boss trimming Nana's tree, and Bitty supervising!

When Bitty saw this machine she said to Aunty Staci, "I WANT to drive it!"

Staci and I decided to pickle a few carrots fresh from Ma & Pa's garden. Here is Bitty washing the carrots after she and Staci dug them. Maddy is either trying to lick Bitty or steal a carrot.

Apprentice gardener Bitty assisting Nana.

Gorgeous jars of carrots packed and ready for processing. They are packed in a cider vinegar brine with dill, garlic, bayleaf, and fennel. They make lovely snacks or delicious garnish for a Bloody Mary.

Mrs. Faw & Mrs. Stagg, resident Susie Homemakers!

Mobywrap

If you have a baby and you haven't got a Moby, get one. I thought it was indispensable with Adelaide, but it's even more so when you have two to juggle. Here we are helping Nana, "put on Stanley's jammies (horse blanket) so he can go to his bedroom (stall) and go night-night." Adelaide insists on helping.

Lindyjean in the wrap, Bitty on the hip... I've been able to garden, pick raspberries, cook, and do an assortment of other things will little trouble wearing the baby. You've got two free hands and the wrap is worn so that you have no stress on your shoulders or back. It's radical. Plus - remember the photos of Eric wearing Bitty to mow the lawn? YOU MUST HAVE ONE.

Aunty Staci said something funny, can't remember what it was.

Weekend... a culinary marathon!

We've packed up and moved house to Ephrata for the weekend. We arrived on Thursday afternoon. The weekend has been mostly devoted to cooking, baking, & canning thus far...

Aunty Staci & the girls.

Adelaide's obsessed with the four wheeler and Ranger and insist on a million rides per day!

A rare moment when LindyJean has her eyes open. They are, in fact, blue - however they will be a shade darker/grayer than Bitty's.

Our first culinary adventure was homemade marshmallows - a perfect 4th of July treat! We made plain, cinnamon, and sprinkles... and chocolate dipped, but we ate all those before we got the camera out. :)

THE SANDBOX

Nana & Grandad built Bitty a sandbox. She loves it. Below are a couple photos of Daddy, Grandad, & Bitty playing in the sandbox while we waited for Nana to arrive home from work.