neighbors

Last night was National Night Out.  Did your block do anything fun?
We have been invited, in years past and this year, to the block party of the street behind us- our alley neighbors, but have never gone.  This year I've been getting more and more involved with the Cleveland Neighborhood Association and found myself as a block party leader.  Yippee!! So it was time our actual street block off the roads and had ourselves a true block party!

We had a really fun time getting ready for the festivites.  My man and I provided root beer floats to the neighbors. We had snacks from others homes and my neighbor and dear friend across the street, Mel, even blew up her bouncy house for the kids to jump in.  We had a great time!

But I realized, even with all the planning and organizing, and door to door knowing I did, none of this would even be possible without my neighbors.  I'm so glad we live where we live and I know God has us here for a reason.  They teach me more than they'll ever know about what it means to love.

Sorry, no pics, I was a tad bit busy :)

apple peeler

We were recently blessed with some free produce.  I probably had 20 apples of all different varieties and they were all about to turn.  So, I made some delicious apple crumb bars.  They were really tasty!  I also made some home made apple sauce in our mini crock pot and that too was tasty!  But what to do with all the peels and cores?  I felt bad just tossing them and since we don't compost yet I didn't know where to put them (we've also had quit the fruit fly problem as of late so the trash can was out).

Thank you google.
I always appreciate your willingness to answer my questions immediately and with multiple choices.
I could just cook the stuff in a pot of water to fill my house with a lovely scent.
I could make apple tea but since it's 90+ degress out most days I opted out of hot tea.
So I made apple jam.  Well, it's actually more like apple honey.  But's it's super tasty.  We put it on our french toast yesterday morning and I made our lunch with it and peanut butter. Just boil down the peels and cores with at least 8 cups of water.  Then strain.  Then cook the apple juice with sugar (I used about a 1 to 4 ratio of sugar to juice) until it reaches 120 degrees. Then can.  Simple and delicious.

But the whole point of this post isn't the delicious recipes I've been finding/creating lately.  It's about my apple peeler.  (I got this as a gift from my grandmother and I doubt she spent more than $15 on it) The guy that makes it all possible.
Seriously- I know there is something to be said for doing it all by hand but this tool is simply amazing.  Cuts my time in half at least.  Plus- look how cute it is? 

new tent!

We love to camp.
This is not a secret.
So the other weekend we went away, just the four of us, and it was a wonderful little family get away.  We found this camp ground that was only 45 minutes from home so we would still feel like we were getting away without the long drive. They had a lake on the grounds and quaint sites that were quite private.  In fact, we might have been the only people camping there that weekend which was weird because it was the first cool weekend in a while up here!

I was trying to capture Audrey's diaper bottom but instead just got this shot of her.  Such a technology lover!

I have a daughter with really curly hair!  I love it!

Our little bon fire.

Trying to keep the mosquitoes out of our eyes but still enjoying some lovely quiet time after the girls went down.

The new tent was yet again, amazing.  Big enough for us all with plenty of room for our gear.  Both Dan and I were amazed that this is the first time we've ever camped, just us.  The first of many.

embroidery hoop

So I started doing a little embroidery.  I've always felt comfortable with a needle and some thread but now I'm learning some specific stitches.

Isaac John Harpel (due August 13th!)

For this baby blanket I made I used three different stitches.  The basic back stitch for the letters,  the french knot for the dots, and the stem stitch for anything round like the circle and the bottom of the J. 

The blanket was made based on this tutorial by Stay-at-Home Artist. It was so easy to follow and I already had the flannel because I bought a bunch on sale a few months ago.  This also helped me learn that my machine had a cute little zig-zag stitch I didn't know about (where it makes it looks a little hand embroidered) and I love it!

Just an instagram of the gal behind this blog!

man

Oh Daniel.

You are the love of my life.

I am beyond blessed to be called your wife. 

photo courtesy of Leah Maria Photography

My desire:

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. 

Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. 

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. 

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.  

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.  

She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. 

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. 

She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. 

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. 

She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.  

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. 

She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. 

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

The woman to be amired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves!

Festoon her life with praises!"

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message version)

Jesus

I find it only appropriate that my first post on this new blog be about Who it's all about.

There is no other.
He is the reason I am where I am.
He is the giver of life.
The sustainer of my faith.
He is my rock and my salvation.

Thank you for loving me.
Amen.