Saturday Mornings at the Farmer's Market

Avery loves tagging along with me to the Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings. I think she likes the atmosphere – there’s usually live music and a bouncy house. Plus, she gets plenty of attention and compliments. Who wouldn’t like that? While we peruse the fresh produce, she really talks up the bouncy house but upon approach, she chickens out citing that there are too many big kids inside. I don’t blame her. She may be scrappy, but she’s still pretty little!

This Saturday, we shopped for pickling cucumbers and bell peppers to make a sweet pickle relish from my new favorite cookbook, Canning and Preserving wish Ashley English.

We also purchased some ripe tomatoes to pair with our homegrown jalapenos to make salsa. Avery helped me pick the jalapenos Friday night and collected them in her bucket.

I made both the relish and the salsa and “put them up” Sunday afternoon while Avery napped. The relish was easy and turned out beautifully. If you are lucky enough to be on my Christmas list, you might just get a half pint. Here's a sneak preview.

I had to sample it of course, to make sure it was tasty enough to share with my friends and family.

The salsa, however, was extremely time consuming and didn't yield much. In fact, I might never want to see another tomato. The Farmer's Market runs until October, so Avery and I will see what seasonal delight inspires us next!

Garden Assistant

Since we moved onto to our 3 acre property, I’ve wanted to start a garden. But unfortunately, our very shaded and sloping yard just isn’t conducive to growing produce, and then there’s my black thumb to consider! To indulge me, "Prince Daddy" secured a half-whiskey barrel from the “tractor store” for some container gardening and found a sunny spot for it in the driveway. He planted several tomato and pepper plants, and has been caring for them diligently. Throughout the growing process, Avery has assisted Greg with watering and picking. Her picking can get a bit overzealous, resulting in a few tomatoes leaving the vine before their time! Not the one below, though!

Last weekend, Greg went away to WI on a fishing trip and left me with about a dozen ripe jalapeno peppers. Not wanting to waste them after all his and Avery’s hard work, I contemplated what to do with them. Freezing wasn’t an option because they get mushy, and I didn’t think eating a dozen cheesy jalapeno poppers solo would be wise for my waistline, so I considered canning them.

I’ve never canned anything but wasn’t opposed to the idea; my paternal grandmother was a whiz back in her day. So, I did a little research on the internet and decided to go for it after finding a pickled jalapeno recipe online from a canner in Canada. Get it? Canner in Canada? Hee hee. So, Avery and I hit Wal-Mart for the supplies (mason jars, canning salt, and a canning rack), and I boned up on all the safety procedures. Having just survived a case of e coli in the household, I’m not taking any chances with food-borne bacteria.

I washed and sliced the jalapenos and determined I had enough for one pint jar, the perfect test run!

Next, I sterilized my jar, made my salt and white vinegar brine, and filled my hot jar, leaving the recommended ¼” head space necessary for sealing.

Then, off into the boiling canner my jar went. After 10 minutes – voila! My jar was perfectly sealed and the jalapenos will be ready to enjoy on nachos or BBQ chicken pizzas in 4-6 weeks.
The process was really easy and I feel so accomplished. I am as excited as Avery for next crop!

"My Tummy Hurts"

Poor Avery had a pretty tough July due to some unexplained and persistant stomach issues. Two trips to the doctor, various tests and even a x-ray later, Avery was finally diagnosed via a lab test with a case of e coli. As scary as that sounds, we were very lucky. Avery's case was not severe, and though she's still recovering, things could have been much, much worse. For the last few weeks, we've made the best of our weekends as her condition kept us from her favorite summer activity: going to to the swimming pool. Ironically, this is probably where she contracted the bacteria in the first place.

Fortuneately, Avery has a wonderful imagination to entertain her. Her many "Avery games" include all kinds of play, including dress-up. The red Olivia tutu is one of her favorite accessories, but rain boots can be fun, too!

Of course, there's nothing like a nice pair of shades to keep things cool on a sweltering Georgia afternoon. Notice the soccer ball? She's been obsessed with "playing soccer ball" ever since we watched the Women's World Cup together. She's certainly no Hope Solo, but a mother can dream!

All signs now point to Avery being on the mend, but just in case, it wouldn't hurt to keep her health in your thoughts and prayers.

Avery's First Trip to the Movies

While watching her normal line-up of shows, Avery had seen several previews for the new Winne the Pooh movie and expressed interest in seeing it. So yesterday afternoon, I decided it was time to treat her and giraffie to their first cinematic experience. I really wanted this experience to be positive as I've been secretly waiting for the day when I had an excuse to watch movies like Ratatouille and Up! So, I told her what to expect and we headed out to the theater. Once we got popcorn and and chose seats, she was immediately uncomfortable and began to fuss. I started to worry that I was that parent, but luckily, I was able to placate her with a green sucker; she braved out her uncertainty and snuggled up in my lap.

Once the previews came on, she complained that they were too loud, but giraffie didn't seem scared, so they conferred and decided to wait it out until Pooh came on. Once Pooh hit the big screen, Avery was glued. She and giraffie ate their share of the popcorn and didn't make a peep until the movie ended. When the credits started to roll, Avery yelled "watch it again, Mommy!" She refused to leave until she consumed every last kernal of popcorn. That's my girl!

Avery and giraffie are very much looking forward to their next feature presentation. I'll be happy to indulge them as they are cheap dates - both their tickets were free!

We are fresh off this summer's vacation to Folly Beach, SC. This was our 2nd stay on Folly, and it was just as much fun as the first. The many highlights of this year’s trip included delicious seafood dinners, great company (Heather and Luke for the beginning of the week and of course, Meme and Pa) and watching the 4th of July fireworks at the Folly Fishing Pier. The fireworks were really something as we had a great view from the balcony of our condo rental. This was ideal since Avery and Luke were tucked away in bed for the night!

Please note that I did not require Avery to wear water wings in 1 foot of water, that she insisted.

We had great beach weather all week and spent most of our days between the pool and the beach. Avery made the most of her beach time by ordering us to build sandcastles then knocking them down, collecting sea shells, chasing sea gulls, and “playing” bocce with the adults. She was quite suspicious of the ocean until the last day when she got in knee deep and had a blast jumping waves with Pa, Daddy and me. She also really enjoyed the afternoon she spent playing with Luke in a tidal pool, or “mini pool” as she called it (photos above). She bronzed up nicely despite the application of SPF 50 every few hours. Don’t worry though, Luke is still just as white as when he arrived!

All the adults are still recovering from overexposure to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and frustration over finding 4 missing pieces to the 1,000 piece sailboat jigsaw puzzle we completed (despite Greg’s heckling that puzzles are stupid).

We made it back to Bowen's Island Restaurant for the best fried seafood platter in town, and some bird and boat-watching in the marsh, too.

Sadly, we ended our fabulous week on Folly with a evening walk on the beach.

As Avery would say, "Bye Folly Beach, see you later!"

Father's Day 2011

Last weekend, we made a quick trip up to North Carolina to visit friends and family. It's hard to believe it's been two years since we'd been to the Raleigh area, but I last made the trip with Avery when she was 8 weeks old for Heather's baby shower.

After spending Saturday in the Raleigh area, we headed back home Sunday and stopped in Charlotte to see Meme and Pa for a quick Father's Day celebration. Avery was the key to the gift-giving action. She presented the gifts to both Pa and Daddy and even helped open them!

Avery must've been happy to get a break from the long drive because she cooperated for several photos!

Happy Father's Day to my two favorite Dads!

Las Vegas 2011

June is off to a busy start! Greg and I just got back from our 2nd trip together to Las Vegas. Last year we went to celebrate his 40th birthday, and this year we went for an equally as momentous an occasion - to celebrate the 15-year wedding anniversary of our very close friends, Marco and KC! Congratulations to the Zachs!

All children were secured at home in the care of grandparents, so we adults hit the Strip and stayed out past bedtime. It's a well known fact that the best dancing in the club occurs post-bedtime!

Instead of spending our hard-earned money gambling, Greg and I splurged on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. It was amazing to experience our first sighting of the Grand Canyon from the air in a $3 million chopper!

We also ventured out into the Mojave Desert to visit Valley of Fire State Park. The sandstone rock formations are really worth seeing.

Back at home, Miss Avery had Meme at her beck and call. Avery subsisted on chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese in between trips to the swimming pool. I believe the term is "spoiled!" I guess that is what grandmothers are for. Thank you for letting us get away Meme! And what are you doing next April!?!?!?