Lulu Beach Cruiser

This is so cute!!!!

I know right!
Well here's the thing. It is cute, yes. Very cute! So cute I wanted it for my very own! Did I get it? Yes, yes I did. Took it home. And like most new bikes it needed some adjusting of brakes, seat, handle bars, that sort of thing. But not before I took it out for a test spin!!

Well, the test spin did not go so well. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being very best the cuteness of the bike is by far a 10. However, the overall quality and comfort I would have to say is a mere 4 (and even that's pushing it, like lower end f 4). Yep, that's right folks. Don't be fooled. Now if say you are just looking to be cute, then YES! This is the bike for you, or its sister that is all pink with white lettering. Another very cute one. But I did not enjoy riding it like I thought I would. It just seemed so cheaply made. I was very disappointed. I was really looking forward to getting it and going on bike rides. So I loaded it back up in the truck and took it back to the store right then. I didn't want to leave with no bike. I really want a bike so I can go on rides with and without my kids.

I came home with this...

I like it. Fits me way better. I guess I am just more of a mountain bike girl. A little sad they did not have it in hot pink, just kidding. There was one in blue but it was a 24 inch and adults fit 26 inch better, I discovered. So again a little adjusting of brakes first then the test drive, I am satisfied. I do need to adjust the handle bars as well. And the tires were low. But all is well now with that.

On the way to exchange the bikes it did start to rain a bit. On the way home however it was pouring! I was a little sad I couldn't go for a joy ride once I got home. But it gave me time to fine tune her a bit. It cleared up a bit so I got to go on a test spin on my street. And that was enough to satisfy me for today.

But lets just say it, if the store is going to have free assembly then they should do it right or just not do it at all. If I had the option to put it together myself without having to wait for shipping I would.

But there it is, my new way of getting kids to and from school, well sort of. Leo still isn't very strong on his bike. But I am sure with practice he will get there. And short rides with Katie are going to be so fun! Looking forward to my new ride.
Now if only it wasn't going to rain the next 2 days...

Boxing Boys

Step by Step Canning Strawberry Jam

Go to a local strawberry picking patch and pick strawberries to your hearts desire!! Leo and I picked about 22.5 pounds.


Cut off tops.



And rinse


Mash the strawberries until you have 5 cups of mashed up strawberries. Do one layer at a time.


Be sure to have all ingredients ready. This recipe includes 5 cups mashed strawberries, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 package pectin, and 7 yes I said 7 cups sugar (however I am going to start looking for a recipe that calls for less it is just a bit to sugary for me.) There are pectin packages that you add little to no sugar and I think that will be my next batch.


I put my prepared jars in a pan with about 2 inches of water in it and I place it in the oven to keep them warm. To do this turn the oven on to 400 degrees for about 2 min. then turn the oven off. When you are ready for the jars take the pan out of the oven with hot pads just in case it is still to warm.


Have your lids in a pot on the stove set on low in water just covering them. The bands do not need to be warm, I just have them in the picture to show you to have them ready.


Add strawberries, lemon juice and pectin to a deep pot. I will show you why you want it to be deep.


Heat that to boiling and add sugar slowly while stirring. This is when I added the sugar.


Keep the pot at a hard boil while stirring for 1 min. And you can see on the side of the pot how high it bubbled up. This is why you want the pot to be deep. After the hard boil remove from heat and skim off foam immediately! I learned my lesson with this batch. After I did the boiling I went to eat dinner quickly. And I think I ate pretty fast...


I guess since the foam on top is the first thing to cool down it gels pretty quick and I could not get the foam off as much as I wanted so now this batch of jars has white foam pieces at the top of the jam. I am sure it will still taste fine, just does not look as pretty. Moving on, ladle the cooked jam into your warmed prepared jars. I keep the jars in the pan for easy clean up and one more tip in the next segment.


Place lids on top of jars and then place bands on them finger tight. *Be careful the jars are VERY HOT at this point.*


I keep my jars in the pan and return them to the over again with preparing the oven by having it on for about 2 min, to keep the jars hot. I do this because I use the same pot I just cooked my jam in, to then cook my jars in it. Its my only deep pot. So if you have a spare pot that is deep enough feel free to have it ready for right after you have ladled the jam into the jars. I had to go out and buy the pretty green basket because I tried to do my jars in just the pot but one jar busted when it touched the bottom of the pot. It was just too hot for direct heat like that. So be sure you have some sort of rack on the bottom of the pot or this nifty little green thing I got at Wal-Mart for $10.


Insert jars into water (I don't know if it should be boiling already or not, mine is, as long as you start the time when it does start to boil.) Boil for 10 min. or as recommended according to your own altitude. Then remove from pot when time is up.


Using a jar lifter place jars on a towel and allow to cool and set for 24 hours.


You are now ready to place them on the shelf or open a jar and use it. After opening store it in the refrigerator and it should be used in the next 3 weeks. And I am sure this is something that has a shelf life of a year. If someone knows different let me know and I will correct it.

My 1st batch got me about 11 1/2 jars (however one broke in boiling process) and my second batch I used ever so slightly less strawberries and got 10 jars (and again I had one bust on me during boiling.) I have about one more batch to do!!


*****BEWARE*****
Watch for strawberry eating monsters as you are doing this!!

Thank you for the concern Deb! We are fine. The was a tornado or 2 that hit very close to our house. But we are good. The storm was awful and Hugh was out of town. On his way home as the storm was hitting us he called to tell me the damage he was seeing on his way home. Now normally I would be interested in what it was but at that moment when the rain is going sideways.... I really didn't want to know. But we are well for all who were concerned.

I just HAD to share THIS!!!

Fellow readers, it is true. Those are some lousy things to say. I have a friend (another military wife) that added a # 15: Don't freaking ask if we all watch Army Wives! Heck no I don't watch that crap- stupid actresses PRETENDING to be what I am every day?! VOMIT! (Her words that I agree with!)

Making cookies with the boys!

SNICKER DOODLES!!

The boys watching the oven.

Motivation?

I really want to sew today. I just don't want to take the time to prepare whatever it is I may sew. Anyone else run into that problem. I would like to make myself a skirt. At the same time I want to make Katie a new dress for when spring is "officially" here. But yet I need a new bag for church. All of those things will take some prepping. By the time I am done with preparing any of it, it will be time to feed the kids lunch and all my afternoon stuff. By the time I am ready again to sit and sew it will be time to get kids from school because it is early out day. Oh what a bother. I should set aside one day where I just do a bunch of prepping and then when I feel like sewing I can!!

I'll let you know what I decide. hopefully with a picture!