Lookin'

"Lookin' out on the pourin' rain..." and wind blown lawn chairs.

"Whatchu lookin' at?"

Help me, Obi-Wan Kitty,..

...you're my only hope!

Overheard in the Kitchen

Boo: You have some croutons for me?

J: Say "Do you have some croutons?"

Boo: You do have some croutons for me?

J: say "Do you have some?"

Boo: You do have some?

J: listen and say "Do you have some?"

Boo: (walking away) I'm tired of talkin' about this.

Raspberry Jam

I made some blackberry jam in August, and was disturbed that the recipe called for more cups of sugar than cups of fruit. After reading this and this, I have recommitted to healthier eating.

So when it came time for raspberry jam, I scoured the internet for a lower sugar recipe. I don't use Splenda, so that nixed a lot of the low sugar recipes. But then...success! I used 3/4 cup of honey for the sweetener. Obviously it is not super sweet, but it has a great raspberry taste. Next year I may try adding a little apple juice or white grape juice to sweeten it a bit more.

If you are canning the jam, you have to buy no sugar pectin. Some people online have reported having difficulty finding it in-store, and have to buy in online. But Kroger carries it (I love Krogers almost as much as Target). It's a pink box.

I need a coffee!

We aren't coffee drinkers. So I was a little surprised when Boo ran up to me yesterday and urgently exclaimed, "Mom! I need a coffee!"

What?

"MOM! I need a COFFEE! I NEED a coffee! I NEED A COFFEE!"

I just looked at her, realizing that if she had a secret coffee stash, that would explain some of her boundless energy and constant stream of chatter.

With an exasperated sigh, she led me to our copy machine and handed me the coloring page she wanted to COPY.

The Power of Children

"The Power of Children Gallery at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis takes visitors on a journey through the lives of three children who faced profound trials and emerged as heroes of the 20th century. The stories of Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White exemplify for children and adults how every individual can make a difference."

I took advantage of having my parents with me at the museum and walked through The Power of Children exhibit while the kids were at playscape. I missed all the live re-enactments, someday I'll get back to see those. The exhibit was very moving.

I visited Ruby Bridges first. I have been fascinated with this story since a teacher introduced me to this book.







Next was Anne Frank. There was a display of a concentration camp uniform, along with a video showing interview footage from a woman who knew Anne and Margot in the concentration camp. She described that last time she talked with Anne, and what she likely died of. Only weeks before the camp was liberated. It was chilling.

Speaking of Anne Frank, have you seen Freedom Writers? I didn't care for the movie, but in the course of the movie, this English class raises money to bring Miep Gies over for a lecture. It wasn't the real Miep in the movie, but did you know that she is still alive? And 100 years old.

Last was Ryan White.

I remember watching his story on the news years ago, and was especially interested in his story when I found out that he lived just north of here, in Kokomo. In this display, you sit in "his bedroom", and watch a film about his fight with the school system and with AIDS. Seriously sad.

I rarely see kids in this exhibit, but I am so glad that they have it.

Pumpkin Patch

Our third year visiting the pumpkin patch. First year was very cold, second year toooo hot, this year, just right.Boo loved climbing on and driving this decrepit old tractor, that I was pretty sure was going to cut her and give her tetanus.
Kitty got to face outward in her Baby Bjorn for the first time, and she had a great time watching the world go by.Boo meticulously searched for the perfect pumpkins - one for her and one for Kitty. She gathered several before she decided.
Now I'm trying to decide what to do with the pumpkins. Do we carve them or paint them? Maybe one of each. We have to carve at least one, I love me some toasted pumpkin seeds. Bryan, are those low carb?? :)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Another recent read, one that I will be adding to my library, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Don't run away just because of the title...

This one is a charming novel set in post-WWII England. The book is entirely made up of letters written between the characters of the book. I was afraid I would find this obnoxious - I never could read Dear Mr. Henshaw. But I loved it. I never gave much thought to the occupation of the Channel Islands during the war, so it was even more interesting to read about their experience of German occupation. Although it has its sad moments, it's not a tragic war book (like The Book Thief). It's...well...charming. Read it, you will love it.

We love fall

Fall is here, we are enjoying the cooler weather. Here is my chubs, all decked out in her warm clothes.

We have been keeping busy (and not blogging about it).

We have been to the raspberry fields. I learned to can raspberry jam.

We have been to the apple orchards. I learned to can applesauce.

We have been to the pumpkin patch. I am NOT going to learn to can my own pumpkin. I love baking from scratch, but I can gather no enthusiasm for making pumkin pie from an actual pumpkin. Even though friend Jenny does, and it is the best pie ever.

So it turns out I enjoyed canning. I liked filling up my house with the warmth and smells of canning. The jar pops were very satisfying, and the jars look so pretty sitting on my pantry shelf.