Goals

    This was a picture I took a few weeks ago. It is located on Lake Union. Its a fern growing out of an old pier. It was really nice that day, so I took a walk to take advantage of the sunny weather we are typically devoid of.
    I have decided I am going to have my brood come up with some short term and long term goals. For example, my goal will be to create a menu for the next 2 weeks- I did this several weeks ago,it was helpful, especially when nights were chaotic. I would like my group to help think of ideas for what they would like to eat. My only complaint is that when it is hot, I lack the energy to cook.
    Another one of my goals has been to work on my budget. I have been doing that- I feel pretty happy with myself over that. My goal is to have it set before Jason leaves for school ( which is fastly approaching). Did I mention its suppose to be hot in the Seattle area this weekend, I have ordered approx 75 pounds of fruit to can? I like canning. Its satisfying to see how my hard work has paid off. I want to make pear sauce this year. That will be something new. My plan is to chart how much fruit I use, how much I make of what; so next year I will know if I need to increase or decrease the amount. For example; I made dill pickles. I dont know how many; I think 24 jars. I only have 9 jars left. I would not have any left had I not hidden some of the jars. The problem is I have no idea how many cucumbers ( weight ) I bought to make them. Just more goals for me :) Guess I need to tomorrow to begin to dig out my glass jars/canning seals so I can begin to prepare for this weekend. I'll post some pics of my progress when I am done.

dog days of summer

       Summer is here. It was finally more than 80 degrees last weekend. It hasnt been that warm up here in over 2 years. I forgot what it felt like to be that warm outside. We have a new FK. He is great. He is quiet, polite. D plays well with other kids. We could not have asked for a bettter fit here in our little abode. Trying to get things organzied. Sometimes I feel as if I take one step forward and two back. Such is life. My little garden is putting out quite the amount of vegetables so far. For that I am thankful. There is nothing better than to go out and pick your own veggies for a salad. We are talking about building a green house to extend our growing season. I just need to figure out how to get one to fit at the south side of the house ( it gets the most sun).
    My chickens have begun to molt. I have only been getting 2-3 eggs a day. I asked the boys to cut back on the number of eggs they have been consuming so I have eggs for baking.
        I made my own granola last week. It was incredibly easy and cheap. I think it tastes a lot better than the granola you can buy in the store. I made 6 cups, its already half gone.Guess thats better than making something and having it go to waste.