Sweet Preservation

Today I canned tomatoes. Dave took the boys so I could have the kitchen all to myself. Well, almost all to myself, Rocko was still here...usually laying right at my feet hoping for a scrap of anything!
Canning is something my good friend, Amy, taught me how to do a couple years ago. I love the "idea" of it and also the outcome of it, but the canning part...it sure is a lot of work!

I canned 7 quarts(just under a half bushel) and still have over a dozen tomatoes left. I even made a small batch of fresh salsa too and hope to can a couple quarts of salsa next week.

Maybe next week I will have the energy to do peaches?!?!?


Signed,
Sick of Tomatoes

Remembering...

Grandma...

Grandma went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 21st, 2010. I have many wonderful memories of Grandma. Here are just a few that come to mind...

I can still see Grandma sitting at the table drinking her coffee and having burnt toast in the morning. She loved her burnt toast!

I remember going with her and Grandma Bradway to the Anchor House. We couldn't wait to eat there :) I was lucky enough to have breakfast with her, Grandpa, Aunt Lisa and my boys there a couple months ago. Although, now it is no longer the Anchor Houes but is called Daniel's.

I will remember Grandma's Mary Kay room. Erin and I always loved to sneak in there and snoop around. We also loved the lip gloss we got every Christmas that was hidden in their Christmas Tree.

Grandma was a great cook. I always loved her homemade Macaroni and cheese. It was the best! I know Erin's favorite was her strawberry cake. I just got the recipe from Aunt Lisa and made it over the 4th of July weekend.

My last memory of Grandma will be stopping by to visit with her and Grandpa on our way home from the Towne reunion a couple of weeks ago. Grandpa made us rootbeer floats and we just chatted. I will cherish that last hug...she hugged me so tight!

I love you, Grandma! Until we meet again in Heaven someday...

Trisha

Preparation

Camping takes preparation...lots and lots of it! It seems like all I have been doing for the past week is prepare for our family vacation. Lists have been made and lots of things have been checked off but, there is still lots to be done.

Tomorrow we are headed to Young State Park in Boyne City, Michigan. We love Young State! Dave and I grew up camping there with our families and so to go back with our own boys is very special. We will be gone a week but by looking at what we are packing you would think we will be gone a month!

We have one very excited boy...
and one little boy who really doesn't get the whole camping thing yet. All he gets is he gets to play in the dirt and be outside ALL day :)

We are praying for blue skies like you see above and hopefully lot's of time spent on Lake Charlevoix and also on the beach.

Thanks to Mom and Ron we get to take the Prowler again. They are also coming on our adventure this time along with the McManus family. There are definitely good times to be had.

So...I am signing off for now and will hopefully come back refreshed from a week with my family and dear friends.

Until next time...treasuring summer days,

Trish

Remembering

my Dad today...

Remembering the amazing father he was. He was so loving...he not only told me he loved me every day(multiple times)but he showed me he loved me in his actions. He was a man of integrity. He was honest, loyal and giving. He loved the Lord with all his heart and lived out his faith. I respected him so much and am so grateful the Lord chose him to be my father. I had him for 18 wonderful years and have so many wonderful memories. I only wish my boys could have known their grandpa. He would have been a wonderful grandfather and I know the boys would have loved him so much.

I miss you, Dad! I can't wait to see you again someday.

Love you...more...

Trish

Family

This past Sunday we went to the Towne Family Reunion. It was so nice to see

family that we haven't seen in years. It was a beautiful day at Lakewood Park...

Uncle Kevin helping Ethan with his new toy gun.
Auntie and Owen

Ethan playing with all the goodies from his gift bag.

Little Owen fast asleep on Geeba

Uncle Kevin and Carter

Aunt Scotti, Aunt Lisa, Katie and Avery visiting on the swings

Dave just hanging out

Papa and Owen

The Pavilion...lots of people AND food!

Katie and Owen

Kev and Avery


After a few hours visiting with family we headed back home. On

our way home we stopped in Hesperia to visit with my Grandma and Grandpa Patton and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe.

It was so nice to visit with them.

Grandpa, thanks for the rootbeer floats :) Aunt Lisa, thanks for feeding the boy!

Love,

Trish

Count your blessings!

All week long I have been complaining and grumbling about my garden. I even went so far as to say I am not even planting one next year! My tomato plants are quite frankly, pathetic. I had to pull my one zucchini plant because it was so shriveled there was no chance of bringing it back and it just isn't as 'pretty' as other gardens I have seen.

But then today I was able to make this salad with everything from my garden...all but the lettuce. Cucumber, grape tomatoes, yellow heirloom tomatoes, chives and basil. Definitely need to remember to count my blessings and be thankful for what I do have.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Trish