Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday Dad!

In your honor, I made

Peach Lavender Jam

I think you would have enjoy this

on toast, or over a scoop of

vanilla ice cream

Peach Lavender Jam

1 T. dried lavender flower

1/2 cup boiling water
4 cups finely chopped peaches

(about 5-6 medium peaches, peeled)

2 T. lemon juice
5 cups granulated sugar

1 pouch liquid fruit pectin

(I used 1/2 cups shredded apple

for natural pectin)

~
Directions:

Place lavender flowers in a small bowl.
Pour boiling water over flower and steep
for 20 min. Strain and discard flowers.

Combine lavender liquid, peaches,
lemon juice, apple, and sugar in a large pan.

Bring to a full boil over high heat
and boil hard for 2-3 min., stirring

constantly. Skim off any foam that

forms on top of the mixture.

Remove from heat.
Ladle hot jam into jars, leaving 1/4-inch
of space. Wipe jar rims and threads.

Screw on lids and rings.

Process in a boiling water bath for 10 min.

Remove from water and let cool completely

12-24 hours. Check seals. Any unsealed

jars should be refrigerated and used
within 3 weeks.

~

Love You

and

Miss you...

19 years ago...

Taylor turned 19

on April 24th.

Where does the time go...

~

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Never doubt our unconditional

LOVE for you.

Your an amazing young man.

It has been a challenging year,

but we are here for you and

we will all get through it, as a

family - and you will

be a stronger man

because of it.

Stay smart and strong.

~

Love you son!

Mom & Dad

A new home

Mom and Jack left for Illinois
yesterday - such mixed emotions..
It still seems a bit surreal that she
has moved there - for good.
I am very happy for her though, she's
starting a new chapter in her life,
and has someone who loves
her and will take care of her - she
deserves that.
But,
we will all miss her very much.
Especially Logan who will miss the
sleepovers in the tent and all the
special attention she gave him.
~
I guess it's never to late for
L O V E!
~
(Kim - this is the cookie jar that Mom said
was her grandmother's. Have you seen this
cookie jar before.... EVER?!...)
I am just saying....

Goodbye dinner

We had a little goodbye dinner for
Mom & Jack. We ate outside on the patio,
the weather was perfect.

Made Lasagna for dinner - it was delish.
~
Lasagna Recipe:
9-12 Lasagna Noodles
1 lb. ground beef
salt & pepper
1 (16 oz) pkg. cottage cheese
8 oz. of ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1 jar of your favorite sauce
1 med. diced onion
~
Boil water and cook noodles.
Brown ground beef, add onion and s & p.
In separate bowl, combine cottage cheese,
ricotta, parm, and 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
add egg and mix well.
Drain noodles.
Add sauce to the ground beef.
Spread a big spoonful of the sauce
in the bottom of pan. Layer 1/2 noodles,
1/2 sauce, 1/2 cheese, then repeat.
Cover with a bit more sauce and
the rest of the shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for about 30-40 min.
till hot and bubbly and
lightly brown.
~
*Sorry, no photo of us having dinner
or anything.....don't know where my
head was....duh!?

Wedding day

Mom's wedding at Royal Palms.
It was a beautiful day.
Chloe, Brennah & Taylor played
guitar and sang before the ceremony.
They did an awesome job.

Logan carrying the rings

the kiss....

a little champagne toast....

some handsome boys....
(love Logan in his new grey converse)

The family

Mike gives a funny speech

Mom looks beautiful and sooo happy.

Darryl and I

The kids looked great in
their purple.

Chloe being silly...

Dinner afterwards with delicious
chocolate cake from
Arcadia Farms.
~
Congratulations Mom & Jack,
I know you are both really
happy!

Love is in the air

Rehearsal dinner at our house
for Mom & Jack.
Made this cute sign for the front door.

Mexican food for dinner, with
Mexican wedding cookies
for dessert.

cold lemonade and sangria

We borrowed the table and these cute
vintage chairs from friends.

Darryl stung lights and I made
the white dollie banners
to hang over head.

It was a really magical after dark.

Mmmmm...
Chicken Enchiladas with
Tomato Corn Salsa
It was delish!

The weather - perfect,
the food - delicious,
the ambiance - fabulous,
the company - the best!
Thanks Kim for your help
in making the evening perfect!
~

Garden patch

We planted our little garden on Sunday.

Three kinds of tomato, yellow pear,

Mr. Stripey (our favorite) and a

better boy red tomato. Several kinds

of peppers, red, green, jalapeno,

and hot red chili - great for stir fry.

Two zucchini plants, some mixed salad

greens, italian parsley, basil,

dill, and chives.

Later, mom, mike & debbie joined us for
dinner. On the menu:
tomato mozzarella salad
shrimp scampi from Costo, over linguini
fresh steamed green beans
and french bread.
~
We ate outside on the patio,
the weather was perfect!
~

Christmas tree

We spent Saturday up north

hunting for our Christmas tree.
*

We were surprised to see so much snow!

8

Let the snow ball fights begin.*

Chili and hot cocoa for lunch.

After a few hours of hunting....

we found our tree.

Harley enjoyed the snow too.

Snow Angel*

A Christmas miracle! Logan lost

his front tooth!