Craft Day at the Lake

It was craft day at the lake.  My mom had brought some crafty things for the little girls to work on when they needed a break from the water fun.  It's never too late to start on a little something for Christmas.

My mom had gotten plain glass bulbs and washed them out with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and let them thoroughly dry.

Then it was time to add some color.  My daughter and my niece each chose their favorite paint colors and squeezed a bit into the bulb (they used acrylic paint).

After they added a few drops of multiple colors of paint, they rolled the bulb in all different directions to  cover the entire inside of the bulb.

Then they put the bulbs back in the box on their side.

About every half an hour, they rotated the bulbs to make sure the color covered the entire inside of the bulb.

After a few hours, the paint started to set and they left them alone to dry.  After a few days, we will add the tops and maybe a little ribbon to dress them up a bit.

This is a great, simple, art project that can be done by all ages and it makes some beautiful Christmas bulbs!

"Art is thought expressed through the hands."  -Indonesian artist

A Year of Blogging

Today is a very special anniversary for me.  It was one year ago today that I started this blog.  It took a giant shove by a very good friend, thanks Mandy, for me to put the thoughts in my head out for everyone to see.  It has been a roller coaster year with my goal ALMOST met.  I had wanted to blog every day for a year and did so until I took my trip to Paris.  Not bad.......

Since I have some forced free time on my hands, I will have time to make some blog changes for this year.  I will be updating the look of my blog to give it a "freshness" I think it has been lacking.  I will also be adding recipe and craft lists on the side of my blog page so it will be easier for my readers to find past entries.  I am still making the commitment to blog every day - something positive every day.

Thank you to all of my faithful readers.  I am amazed at how many of you there are.  I average about 1200 views a month with followers all over the world.  I love the sense of community I feel and I hope that what I write adds something a little special to your day too.  Here is the view from the chair in which I will be blogging from this weekend!

I look forward to the next year of posts!!  Please, if there is anything you'd like me to change about my blog or anything you'd like me to write about or suggestions on how to make my blog more appealing/user friendly, either leave a comment or send me an email at cjbosak@gmail.com.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony."  -Mahatma Gandhi

A Great Anoka County Park

Today I spent almost all day at Bunker Beach in Coon Rapids, MN with two little girls.

Why have I never been here before?!  I have only ever dropped my children off here to meet up with friends.  Today was the first day I had gone inside.  What a great place!  There are multiple pools within the beach area.  You can go down big slides, small slides, float down a lazy river, cross a rope obstacle course, climb a climbing wall, hang out in the wave pool, eat at many different concession stands and hang out in the shade or the sun.

I know that the swimming season is coming to a close but if you're in the area, please put Bunker Beach on your "must visit" list for next year.  Here's a link to their website for all of the beach details.  www.bunkerbeach.com 

The whole Bunker Area is a fantastic activity hub.  There's swimming, camping, golfing, frisbee golf, horse back riding, biking and walking/running paths.  This is truly a gem in the north metro.  It's a great getaway within the city.  Here's a link so you can check out the year round activities.  www.anokacountyparks.com/parks/bunker_hills_regional_park/about.html  I'm hoping to do some fall camping and maybe take a trail ride on a horse before the snow flies.  I'm proud of my city and where my tax dollars are being spent!!!!

"Pull up a chair.  Take a taste.  Come join us.  Life is so endlessly delicious."  -Ruth Reichl

Great Book for Young Readers (Old Ones Too!)

I don't normally like to recommend a book before I've read it but I'm making an exception with this book.  The book is called Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  My book club has selected it as our book for October.  Wherever I am, whatever group of people I am with, and I mention this book, someone has read it.  All who I've come into contact with who've read it, love it.

It's a book for young readers about a boy about to start 5th grade.  Up to this point, he has never been in a mainstream school.  On the Good Reads website the story is described as follows:  "August (Augie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to school - until now.  He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be.  The thing is Augie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face.  But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like him despite appearances?"

It's a story that I think my daughter and I will read together.  I should probably even have my teenager sons read it!  It's a book about kindness and friendship, empathy and hope.  It will make you laugh, cry and appreciate all those you love even more.  I know I can't wait to get started on it!  Let me know if you read it and what you think.  Leave a comment on my blog - especially if you read it with younger readers.  I'd love to hear what young readers think too!

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."  -Audrey Hepburn

The Blessing of Friendship

While searching for quotes about friendship, I came upon this one "A true friend never gets in your way unless you are going down."  -Arnold H. Glasow  This was especially poignant for me today. 

I was let go from my job yesterday.  It was a complete shock.  I had no idea.  I worked for a very large Little League Baseball non-profit organization that was struggling a little with finances because of low enrollment and poor fundraising results.  Yesterday, my boss, the president of the league, asked me to meet him in our office at 4pm.  At 4pm sharp, he and another Board member came in the office.  Both said, "Hi" and I started to tell my boss all of the things I needed him to look at.  He stopped me mid-sentence and told me to pack up my personal belongings, take my pictures and whatever else was mine and I was done - that was my last day.  When I asked why he said that he'd rather not get into it and then back tracked and said that the Board had voted and that I wasn't a good fit and they were going to go in another direction.  WOW!!!!   

I worked 60 to 70 hours a week from March until the end of July.  When I tried to take vacation days, I was still on call - taking phone calls and answering emergency emails.  I had to take vacation and leave the country in order to be truly unavailable!  All the while being told, just wait until the off season.  My hours will even out because at the end of August until the beginning of December, I won't have quite as much to do. 

Well, the not having much to do now was true.  My work load drastically dropped off.  HOWEVER, I had one last big project that was required of me.  I was required to tabulated and organize all fastpitch softball coaches' evaluations completed by the parents and the players for each coach at each level.  I spent 11 hours on Thursday and a few hours on Friday making sure it was complete.  Not only in the electronic form, but I know that my boss likes things on paper so I put together a binder for him with labels and page separators.  I was so proud of it.  Turns out it was my last thing to do for him before he let me go.

So yesterday, as I collected my belongings and pictures from my desk, my hands shaking, I kept my cool, calm demeanor. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry or have some sort of an outburst.  I wanted to keep my dignity.  As my boss held the door open for me as I left, he said that it was a pleasure working with me.  WHAT?????  I was waiting for the punch line.  I was walking and then driving but I felt like I was somewhere else.  This couldn't be happening.  When I called my husband, he thought I was joking but I wasn't laughing.

When I got home, there were lots of tears.  Lots of phone calls.  Lots of emails and texts.  Finally, I asked my husband to take a walk with me.  Bless his heart.  Even though it was almost 100 degrees and very humid, he went with me on a walk around our neighborhood.  I didn't feel like I had my feet under me quite yet.  In fact, as of Sunday night, I've had 2 hours of sleep.  The anxiety comes when my eyes close.  I know it will all get better.  Each hour the pain dulls a little.  It also helps to feel the support of many people around me.    

My neighbor Keri came over to share a drink with me on our front step.  My parents called.  My sister called.  My friend Wendy sent a text.  My friend Amy set up a time text week to get together for a glass of wine.  My friend Betty brought over fresh produce she knew I'd love.  My friend Lisa sent me practical advice and love through Bible verses.  Other friends expressed shock and best wishes through Facebook.  My knitting group gave me hugs, love and words of wisdom.  My friend Angelina called all the way from Atlanta, GA.  My friend Libby helped me laugh.  I can't believe how blessed I am to every single one of these people in my life.  They are there during the best of times and during the most devastating of times.  

It will take a while for me to completely be up on my feet again but I will get up and I will do it surrounded by these people who care for me the most.  And if ever a day comes when they need me, I hope that I can be just as supportive and loving as each one of them were to me.

"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.  I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature."  -Jane Austen    

Cabin Invite Thank You Care Package

I'm getting things ready to go to my sister and brother-in-law's cabin for Labor Day weekend.  We always have such a fun time there.  I can't wait for some fun and relaxing time.  I know the rest of my family is looking forward to it too!

One thing I like to do whenever we're invited to stay at someone's cabin is bring a care package as a thank you gift.  This time is no exception.  On my way home from work today (oh, by the way, I was let go from my job today........some day I may blog about it but I'm not ready yet), I stopped by WalMart and got things ready for my cabin care package.  Sorry that the pictures aren't great but you should still be able to get the idea.

I started with paper products:  paper towels, toilet paper and kleenex.  Having a family of 5 visit?  We go through a fair amount of paper!

 Next, I added washing products:  dishwasher detergent, dish soap and hand soap.

I also added some bright napkins in the color of the cabin interior:  green and yellow.

Lastly, I'm working on embroidering a dishtowel and knitting a washcloth.  The dishtowel has a sailboat and lighthouse on it (I know Lake Koronis doesn't have lighthouse but it's water-themed none the less).  The washcloth is bright yellow to go with the kitchen colors.  I always like to give something handmade.  Now that I don't have a job, I will definitely be able to finish these by Friday!!!

I will put them all in a gift bag and my daughter is busy making a thank you note.  It's just a simple way to say how grateful we are to be invited and we're hoping to be invited again!!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."  -William Arthur Ward

Apple Butter

I started this project yesterday and finished it up this morning.  This project used the apples from yesterday's apple jelly recipe.  This is a recipe for apple butter.  It uses a crockpot.

And lots of apples (12 to 13 pounds filling the crockpot to about an inch from the top)......

that are cored, peeled and diced.

In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar,

3/4 cup brown sugar,

3 teaspoons cinnamon,

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg,

2 teaspoons vanilla,

and 4 Tablespoons pancake syrup.

Mix it thoroughly and add the apples.  Stir to coat all of the apples.

Pour this mixture into the crockpot.

Cook on high until the apples start to boil and become soft.

Turn it to low and cook stirring occasionally until it becomes very thick and the apples turn "mushy".  I used a potato masher to break up any larger apple pieces.  You can also put this mixture through a sieve to give the apple butter a smooth consistency.  Just be careful because it will be very hot!

Put the apple butter into sterilized jars (get the jars, lids and rings very hot in a pot for a short time).  Fill the jars to a about 1/4" from the top.

Make sure the edges and rim of the jars are wiped clean.

Cover the jars with sterilized lids and rings.

Put the jars into a hot water bath for about 5 minutes.  Remove and put on a counter top to dry and finish sealing.  I usually cover mine with a clean white towel.

This apple butter tastes great on toast.  Make sure the apple butter is completely cool before you use it and once the jar is open, store it in the refrigerator.  If you have any jars that don't seal, put them directly into the refrigerator.

"It’s hard to find any apple butter, let alone good apple butter in the grocery store these days. Making apple butter is a great way to preserve the fruits of an apple harvest. In contrast to what the name implies, there is no “butter” in apple butter. The name comes from its smooth and buttery texture."  -Simply Recipes

Apple Jelly?

I should have taken a picture of my kitchen from earlier today.  It looked like the canning fairy had come and forgotten to finish up her work.  I had jars and lids and apples and towels and tongs and pots and sugar and an occasional pizza pan (teenage boys still need to eat) all over the place.  Every counter space was filled.  It's still a little messy......but now it's an organized mess.

My main objective today was dealing with the apples my parents had sent home with me last weekend.  My daughter had made a big dent in my supply by eating 2 or 3 of them a night but the bag was still overflowing.  I began the process of making apple butter and a tried a new challenge......apple jelly.

I was at my knitting group on Tuesday talking about making applesauce and apple butter.  One of the women in my group talked about her very southern Mama, she grew up in Alabama, doing the same but then making apple jelly with the apple discards - the peels and cores.  I thought I'd do a little research and do the same.

The first thing I did was wash the apples.  They looked so pretty!  Imagine a whole tree of these gems!

Then I cored and peeled them.  I have this great tool from a local apple orchard that cores the apple.

Next I peeled, sliced and diced the apple.

I added the diced apples to the crockpot for apple butter and I added the cores and peels to a stockpot for the apple jelly.

I peeled a lot of apples......

To the stock pot full of apple cores and peels, I added 6 cups of apple juice.

I let this mixture come to a boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes then I remove it from the heat.  While it was cooking, I prepared my equipment for the next step.  I took a funnel, a large glass vessel and a sterilized piece of cloth and put them together.

I ladled the apple peel/core/juice mixture onto my cloth/glass creation and pressed gently to allow the juice to pass through.

While I was preparing the jelly, I was also preparing the lids and bands in a hot water bath.

I put all of the juice into a large stock pot.

Here's where the recipe gets a little "dicey".  I only added 5 cups of sugar because my apples were so sweet.  Many recipes call for up to 9 cups of sugar.....this may be an issue later.

And to this I added a package of Pectin.

With two cinnamon sticks, this mixture was ready to boil.

I let it boil until the pectin and sugar were dissolved then I ladled it into my jars and sealed them with the boiled lids and bands.  I put them in a hot water bath for about 5 minutes.

I moved them with tongs to a clean white towel to finish sealing.

Lots of sealing/popping going on.  I'll either have great apple jelly or a tasty apple syrup in the morning!

As of now......10 hours after I started the process, all jars have sealed and the mixture is getting thicker.......jelly-like.

I hope what you're taking away from my day in the kitchen today is it is not necessarily the recipe but the process.  Don't be afraid of taking risks.  If my jelly doesn't "set up" it will make awesome homemade pancake syrup or a sugar substitute for oil/sugar in another recipe.  My kids all made comments on how wonderful the house smelled.  My 14 year old son coming out of his room to see what smelled so good and how soon he could eat it is quite a compliment!  Tonight when my kids go to bed, it will smell like apple/cinnamon.......a homey smell.  So apple jelly or apple syrup.....it's all good!

 "Even if I knew the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."  -Martin Luther