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Soaking up the last of a couple of slow winter days

Soon, the weather will be nice and all the things spring and summer will be on our plate.

I made the boys BandG on a school day, unheard of around these parts.

It was a hit.

Another day, Sam and I made a strawberry crisp from a recipe we found in pinterest.

It was very good.  I wasn't sure about cooked strawberries, but they don't disappoint in any form, ha!

We had grilled pork cutlets that night.  Joe helped me finish them up.

 I intend to have them both pretty capable in the kitchen some day!

That sweet teen smile.  Depends on the day, they come in spurts 

so we cherish them when they come.

Also, we are at that stage to leave the boys home for short times.

We've laid down the law and have things they are not to do

But I have no idea why because I am pretty sure this is what it looks like the entire time

we are gone...

This picture looks like hot mess to me but I am sure it looks like comfort to them.

We left them home one morning and I'm pretty sure we returned to the same state!

Plus the empty snack cabinet....

And a painting project from Joe.  

That Fortnite poster disappeared right into Sam's room as soon as it dried.

Pretty sure that is his form of appreciation!

Our Christmas Eve

We woke up on Saturday and pretended it was our Christmas eve, you know

the day when people stay home and bake and do all things Christmas!

Christmas break we try to fit in working on our memory verses - Joe was on the ball!

Dad went and got us corner cafe for breakfast, it set our day out just right!

Joe was into helping me bake and we made peanut butter blossoms, 

failed with the final picture!

We even used Grandma Ida's flour sifter.

Not the best pic, but apparently my boy thought it was worth taking

and that makes it good enough for me!

We also made chex mix and then the boys each made a gingerbread house.

They were REALLY good at it.

They no longer needed help much at all. Insert sad emoji.

We laughed a lot. Good memories.

Finger licking good. Tee hee

So, I think it is also safe to say that his attempt at home with a 

slight improvement over his creation he brought me from school.

Oh the memories.  

Salsa Making Day

The summer seemed to sneak away this year

and the tomatoes were ready about the time school was ready to start.

We were able to get our salsa making day in.

The boys love this one.

Grandma put away corn one day after school was back in session

as she got a lecture from Joe for that. He likes doing that, too.

Sam had the ninja blender job.

He's worked in Grandma's kitchen before.  He knew how to use this thing.

DH and Grandpa came in from getting the combine ready to help.

Lots of hand make light work for sure and these are the days

we are making memories.  I bet years from now we will yearn

for the taste of this delicious treat.

Joe had the straining job, getting rid of most of those tomato skins

Chopping peppers and onions--where did his shirt go?

I put this here just in case I could possibly try in the future,

although Jean only got this out at the very end, so she didn't really follow it at all

and did count or measure anything, ha!

Sam grilled us burgers for lunch

Here is the evidence that I was there and helping, not just taking pictures.

Joe snapped this of me.

Loaded in the pressure cooker

Salsa Making!

Wednesday was salsa making day!

The tomatoes were ready and Shannon gathered us her collection

of perfect pepper, and onion and some homegrown garlic.

DH, grandma and I used our tomato skinning and chopping skills

to make 18 quarts.  It was a stock pot full

and at days end, it met the taste test approval.

This is my favorite day.

We love the salsa, could use multiple jars a week for sure.

One for snacking and one for whatever we are making

a jar in chili or a casserole.  It is delicious!

Sam was in on much of the action.

He does not like any of the ingredients separately,

but cannot get enough when it is mixed together.

Taking a break from the action

Cooking complete, time for jars

Joe showed up to be a taste tester, as well.

Oh, and there's grandpa.  Sneaky

It is all sealed and ready for the winter.  Perfect.

These guys snuck in a game of chess when we got home.

This boy cannot get enough.  He even made me directions so I could play with him.