Where have you been?

You Whelp.... once again I have failed miserably at keeping my blog entires coming at a regular basis. This last year has been basically......a world wind. Working (I was promoted) raising Irish twins and Mr. semi-Charmed started a new business just to name a few things.

The kiddos are growing like weeds.

My boy is almost 4 years old. He's into Hot wheels, TMNT, and anything his dad's into.

My baby girl just turned 3 years old. She's obsessed with Frozen and My little Ponies. 

They fight endlessly but they are also so close. Often joining forces to fight for each other ( usually against us) against punishments. They are 4. Days shy of 11 months apart. 

Gonna try and update more later. 

-J 

Canning fresh Pears!

A few weeks ago I stopped by a friends house, well actually she's more like a mentor. She's one of those ladies that can "do everything" from growing vegetables to sewing a wedding dress, well she has been harvesting an abundance of fruit from the various fruit trees on her property. During the summer she taught me how to make jam, using plums from her Golden Drop plum tree and Red Italian Plum tree. (Instructions coming soon)

This weekend she had pears. At first I wasn't sure what kind of pear but was later able to identify them off a pin from Pinterest. They appear to be Bosc pears.

She says " Here, wants some pears?" A HUGE box of pears later she sends me on my way. Yikes. I've never canned pears!! Pickles-yea. Jam-thanks to her I feel like a pro but actual whole fruit...yikes! 

Always down to try new thing I decided to give it a try besides, my kids LOVE pears, so why not!   As per my style I can't just got to one place to find a canning recipe. 

Incidentally you CAN if you go to www.freshpreserving.com. I did not get my recipe from here but opted to researched a few different places and decided to go for a light syrup without vanilla and or any other additions. 

Just good old fashion canned pears. 

Here is what you will need: 

Pint Jars - 8-9 cleaned with lids and rings (I prefer Ball jars) 

Pears - 25-30 firm pears (if they are too soft they will mush when you peel them)

Sugar - 2 cups (Light syrup) 

3 cups (Medium syrup) 

Water- 4 Cups 

Fruit Fresh Produce Protection (Ball Brand-directions on container)

Directions:

Peal and dice pears add produce preserve ( according to directions on container) then start your syrup mixture. I prefer light syrup. (See above for quantities)

Boil sugar in water until sugar dissolves. Once sugar has dissolved simmer syrup and add your pears. Let pears soak in syrup for about 5 mins. 

Add pears with a slotted spoon to your jars' then using a ladle add your syrup. Leave about and inch of space between syrup and top of jar. 

Process in water bath for 20 mins. (Pints) 25mins. (Quarts). 

Once you try it canning can be very easy! It's definitely worth trying. Good luck and enjoy! 

-J

Back in the Saddle, Again

I have been so busy this year. 2013 has so far been very good to the Durbin family. Lots of changes but so far all for the best. I can't believe it's already July.

Summer time is the best time, especially here in the PNW. The weather is warm but with cool off shore breezes. Blue sky makes for a perfect backdrop to our lush green forests. 

It's sunlight till 10 pm and BBQ's and everything good to eat!

 

 

My kids love playing outside, swimming in their pool or the lake and going to the park. My parents came to visit recently and we got to swim in their hotel pool. The kids flipped over that. Mostly they just loved being with their Papa and Grandma. I miss my parents so much. I don't know if it's because now that I have kids of my own I wish they could spend more time with their grandkids or if I just missing being able to be kid-like when I am with them.

 

 

I have already started my first batch of canning so far this year after noticing that my local market had bunches of fresh dill, already. Last year I didn't start canning until late summer but I was addicted, let me tell you. This year I plan on canning triple what I did last year and I have tried my hand at jam as well. I tried freezer jam, super easy.

 

 

 

I love that the summer is just beginning. So much more to come. I want to start blogging some of my recipes for mac-n-cheese, tomatillo/cilantro salsa, and some of my baked goods. I am really going to try to dedicate myself to posting.

 

 

Stay tuned!!

 

Jen

 

 

Jen

 

A special dress

When I was 18 my little sister who was 15 got pregnant with my parents first grandchild and the first great grandchild. After the initial shock we got over it and now Kelsey is 15 and driving with her first boyfriend.

But this isn't about the baby this is about the baby's dress. You see my fathers mother has always crafted. She made us all blankets either crocheted or quilts and being the first grandchild I was lucky enough to have several of both. These were coveted items. They were special!

When my younger sister had Kelsey she crocheted a pink dress for her with matching booties. I remember that dress and I remember thinking " I hope I have a girl so she can have one of those dresses".

Well... I finally had my daughter. She is four months old. You do the math. That's a long time to wait and by the time I had my baby shower I had forgotten about the dress. You know what though, my grandma didn't!!!

She made my daughter the most beautiful crocheted dress ever. With four pairs of matching socks in each color of the yarn in the dress. I was so excited I cried. I love that dress and she looks so pretty wearing it.

I hope she has a daughter someday to pass it on to and I will always make sure to tell them how special it is

My rug-rats!!

I can't believe how big my two lil munchkins are getting. Seems only yesterday I was pregnant. Emma is 4 months old and starting on baby food.


Mr man Matthew is in to everything. He says mama, dada, baba, and YEA. Lol He loves his baby sister well, when he's not trying to hit her that is.


They are doing so good and getting so big. Before I know it they will be in school. YIKES!!