In a bit of a Pickle...

We've been in a bit of a pickle lately... that is our vegetable garden has been doing well, however, we planted our crops in a different spot this year and are learning that some plants are getting too little/too much sun and/or too much/too little water.  That being said our cucumbers have been coming in by the bunches (2-3 a day!) and since I'm sure our neighbors are tired of finding cucumbers in their mailboxes, it was time we made pickles.  Being afraid of canning, I decided for our first time we'd try refrigerator pickles.  While I love bread and butter pickles, I found this recipe for dill pickles (that calls for fresh dill!) and decided we needed to try it.  We still have lots of cucumbers coming in after all, so we have plenty of time for a variety before summer is over.

Monday I told Chloe and Yates we were going to make pickles, and as much as I tried to explain to them what we were doing, Chloe kept asking when we were going to bake them, and Yates kept pointing to the oven.  It was a special afternoon for all of us- and reminded me of their eagerness to learn and grow.  Going outside to pick the cucumbers from our garden, watching Mommy cut, measure, and then helping to pour the ingredients into jars gave me the realization that the best lessons in life can be taught in the kitchen.  Showing our love for others and giving away jars of pickles to our dearest friends is something my children can take ownership for- and I for that I am very proud.

Gone Fishing!

 Hubby grew up hunting and fishing in the backwoods of the Florida/Alabama state line.  Once Chloe and Yates were old enough he wanted their first time to be with Granddaddy, his father - and doing the same as he did as a little boy, fishing from a pond in the backwoods of Florida.  I was so proud to see my little family carrying on a tradition that has been special to my husband for a long time.  The story is told that hubby was six weeks old on his first hunting trip, and while Yates hasn't been hunting with Daddy yet... I see many more fishing trips in our future.

My first fishing trip was with hubby, I was 23 years old and it was at this very same pond where our own children fished for the first time.  Without getting into too many specifics he almost sunk us by throwing the fish we caught in the back of the boat we were in, which flapped around and unplugged it.  There was a lot of screaming involved, which resulted in few fish caught (supposedly fish don't like loud noises, or so I learned that afternoon) but it was a memorable experience for this city girl (turned country girl).

I learned on my first fishing trip with hubby that it doesn't really count if you don't bait your own hook.  Chloe couldn't bear touching the crickets but she would bait the worms, and ended up catching her first fish!  Daddy's little girl sure does love her make-up and dress-up but she made us proud reeling in that little fish!

PS... Yes, my children may have fished in a Polo shirt, khakis and a Lilly Pulitzer dress but this city girl turned country girl can't let go of her up-bringing now can she, ya'll?

Happy 4th of July!

// My Little Stars //

A rainy day ended up in baking our usual sugar cookie recipe, star-shaped with blue and red icing.  Perfect for Fourth of July Eve, and for children who have a sweet tooth just like their Mama.

Truth be told we've been on vacation for what feels like 2 1/2 weeks straight and this Mama has spent the past day and a half cleaning and organizing our house back to normal.  It was nice to take a break this afternoon and bake with my two little favorite stars.

Happy Fourth of July from our little family to yours!