Jam we are Jammin with Straweberries and Rasberries, ya we are Jammin

It is a summer tradition you might say to make jam. A summer without jam would feel wrong. So with the weather being uncooperative we decided to make jam for Dave's Birthday. He loves Strawberry jam so we thought. Yes! I usually make blackberry and peach but this year is will be fun to make some different jams.We also made Rasberry jam another week. This time we tried using Stevia instead of sugar. The result was a very powerful jam that has a tartness and sweetness. I like it but you only need to put a thin layer ont he toast. I think this won't be a winner overall. But is was a good experiment.I am wondering too how long the raspberry will keep.

           Cleaning the Jam jars is very important.

I thought they looked so adorable sitting ready for canning.

And making our tummies so happy.

                        The Strawberries cut up ready to transform into our favorite sweet treat.

                                                 Brown sugar to add when the fruit is ready.

                                                                Mashing up the fruit.

The fruit is ready to cook and then be put into the jars.

The jam is put in the jars. Oh it looks so pretty....

Odelia a hard working jam maker.

Raspberry jam! Look at that colour!

I guess our next jammin experience with be with peaches and then Blackberries in september.It is lloking like a good crop just in our yard.Can't wait!

I guess a pie will be in order too. We have only made strawberry rhubarb tarts.

Creative Dancing and Singing

This past June, Odelia has been part of two productions in which she shared her creative talents.

                                                                 Odelia, Emily and Jaimie

                                                                  Odelia and Emily

 The first one was with Dance Works Academy year end show. Odelia took Tap dancing with her friend Emily. They had aot of fun and practised alot. Even though they had some changes such as the teacher being away and then getting a new teacher and some students absent. The performance was great. Odelia even got an award for her enthusiam and effort.

                                            Odelia and Ruthie

                                                                          The GirlZ!

The second show was with her friends at the School Talent show. She performed with Selena, Zeba and Ruthie singing and dancing to a song. Then Ruthie and Odelia did a duet.

I am such a proud mom. My girl did a great job. And boy is she talented!

Poppy Blooms

I have been trying for three years to grow the Oriental Big Poppy.  Finally this year with great patience and perserverance I have a red orange one and a pink one. It is very exciting to see such a beautiful flower in our garden. I have learned alot from gardening- never give up and all the hard work is worth it. Although  I heard Whoopi Golderberg say sometimes you have to walk away to save face and when things can not be changed. I agree with that. Somtimes things or people cannot change or you cannot change them. That saying "Give me the strength to change the things I can and to accept the things I cannot" seems perfect....A hard lesson in life!

Dave's Sweater is Finally Done

Having had technical problems with my computer for a month or more. I have not been able to post or add photos. So long over due is a blog about finishing Dave's Sweater. I was originally going to to knit it as a Christmas gift but then I  became amgitious to finish  it for his birthday July 6th. So with hard work I did finish it. I was working right to the last day sewing the sides together and fixing any loose ends needing finishing. I am pleased with the results, although I do want to bring the sides under the arms as they are a bit wider than I think ideal. It has been fun knitting a whole sewater as lately I have been doing small projects. I did find it hard having to adjust to the pattern and custom fitting it to his body. For example his arms are long and I needed to make them longer than the pattern. But I know that it is a good learing experience as a pattern is not made for everyone exactly so you do need to make adjustment.