always up to something
As most of you know Mike isn’t capable of sitting still and keeping from getting himself into new “schemes”. The latest of which is canning. He made a statement the other day where he basically said that he’ll be canning a lot of things this winter. I never know whether to just shrug my shoulders and not worry because it’ll never happen or to panic because this latest plot will involve lots of machinery which will take up half my kitchen/yard/garage/basement/living room (click here for example) . In this case panic should have overtook me because my kitchen has been in a state of turmoil the last couple of nights. However, I can’t complain [too much] because the results are truly delicious. We now have in our possession 6 jars full of crabapple jelly with several more on the way. Apparently, there is a grove of crabapple trees on base that have ample supplies of large crabapples. I would never have thought that crabapples were edible or even could be made into something so tasty. Mike is also going to make a small jug of apple cider for us. YUM!
This is what Mike came home with the other night. The laundry basket was nearly full.
The products.
In other news, Annie is now a 2-wheeled rider. She begged and begged us to remove her training wheels from her a bike a few weeks ago but then chickened out from attempting to ride it even with Daddy’s constant assistance. Each day we would try to coax her to at least make an effort. Eventually, she conquered her fear and rode around with Daddy always holding on. They practiced each day, and she finally attempted it without Daddy. It only took a few tries until she was really riding by herself. Annie is now pretty comfortable riding on her own. While I was a church event last night Daddy and the girls rode their bikes around the neighborhood.
Look at her go!
Mimi has gotten really good on her Dora bike, too.
September 13th, 20082:40 am at
The crabapple jelly is BEAUTIFUL! How brave, too. I canned pears once and they were wonderful, but haven’t done anything since. But really, it is just gorgeous.
Love the bike riding, too. That is always a great moment.
September 13th, 20082:54 am at
Annie is now officially a BIG girl! What intensity on her face–she looks like she’s ready to take on the world. Mimi’s curls are so cute coming out from underneath her helmet.
I told Mike he should have made apple jelly and sauce while you all were here at my house. My tree is FULL of delicious apples.
September 13th, 20083:44 am at
Wow, we REALLY need to get Jackson a bike. You are very lucky that Mike is into such cool stuff. I could NEVER see my husband picking apples, much less turning them into jelly or cider.
September 16th, 20089:29 pm at
The jelly is very impressive! Way to go Mike. If you like hot pepper jelly, try some of those crabapples with jalapenos. Congrats to Annie on her bike riding prowess. And . . . a big congrats to Mike on obtaining the truck of his dreams. There’s nothing like a little horsepower to reward oneself in a job well-done. So glad you are all enjoying the fruits of so many years of schooling.
September 19th, 200811:46 am at
Jen, Steph goes through the same thing with me. And I’m sure that Marissa goes through the same thing with Dave. We Hawley boys go through phases that vary in intensity and staying power, but they are phases nonetheless. I have seen it in my young one, Dylan. The phases are strong in the young one. There is no use fighting it, resistance is futile. By the way, I gots me a taste of said jelly, t’was bueno. You should count yourself lucky that the crabapples are not going to waste. Does Mike then carry crabapples home in his pockets since he rides his bike back and forth to the base?
September 19th, 20085:57 pm at
Jake-
Yes, I have learned through the 10 years of marriage to Mike that when he makes up his mind about something, then there’s no resisting him. I have a dog and a jeep to attest to that. Mike brought those crabapples home in the laundry basket pictured, and he drove his truck that day. I wouldn’t put it past him though to attempt carrying crabapples home on his person or bike somehow.
Poor, Steph! To think she has 2 of your kind to deal with daily.
September 22nd, 20081:34 am at
Laurie-
Thanks for the comments. I’m not sure jalapenos and crabapples would be tasty to my palate, but Mike may enjoy it. Mike really is proud of his new monster truck (as Annie calls it). It actually has come in handy for our current project of putting in our new patio, we hauled about 5 tons of gravel back and forth yesterday.
September 25th, 200811:50 am at
When are you going to post some new stuff? I know quite a few things have probably been going on in your home yet you frequently go long periods of time without posting. I look at some of the other blogs that you link to and they post pretty much every day. I for one feel that the quality of the site suffers when you dont post frequently and you possibly may be losing viewership by not providing fresh material on a regular interval. It is your site though and I guess you are entitled to run it as you wish, just my 2 cents.
Concerned-
September 25th, 20083:59 pm at
Whatever, Mike! Yes, things have been a little busy around, but you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?!? If you’re so “concernce” than maybe I’ll show you how to post, and then you pick up the slack.