Cherries!

My father-in-law arrived with two flat boxes filled with cherries. One filled with Rainiers and the other with Bings, freshly picked that morning from the Yakima Valley.They made for challenging project of preserving them while simultaneously hosting company in my house, helping my sister and mom hold a yard sale in my yard and entertaining children.

My mom helped clean all the cherries. She rinsed and pulled stems while I searched through our storage for my canning supplies. We water bath canned most of the cherries in quart jars. I find the process of canning, especially when doing it with my mom relaxing and productive - productive in a way that is different from other housework or office work.
There were enough for 28 quart jars and 14 pint jars of cherries. I even did one jar with a mixture of the two. The Rainier cherries look stark against the deep red juice the Bing cherries make in the jar.

There is something very gratifying about seeing your shelves filled with the "fruits of your labor."

After a couple hours of canning, there were still more cherries left than we could possibly eat before they spoiled. So, into the dehydrator they went. I cut each cherry in half and removed the pit. They looked like tiny peaches or nectarines. They were treated with Fruit Fresh in hopes they would retain their color after drying.

And, they did! They look wonderful and taste wonderful.

Looff Carrousel

The Looff Caroussel at Riverfront Park turned 100 today. We got an early start on the day and participated in the celebration before the crowds gathered.The carrousel began operation on July 18, 1909, and all the original horses are still in use. There is a replacement goat, but he wasn't on the carrousel today. Tatum had to settle for a horse.I have fond memories of riding this carrousel. My grandparents let me ride several times during Expo '74. Grandma Mary took us to the carrousel, a tour of The Davenport and a movie at The Fox for Thanksgiving weekend amusement. I begin to wonder what it says about me that these things were mere amusement when I was a child, but now they are labeled historic or antique.
They all enjoyed the ride. Apparently this carrousel kicks it up a notch and goes "faster and smoother" than the carnival carrousels they have had the opportunity to sample. Everyone wants to go back - soon.

Of course, no carrousel ride would be complete without grabbing the brass ring. Today they are plastic. They don't hit the target as easily as the brass rings did. Happily we all got a brass ring with a commemorative card as a souvenir after the ride.

Holiday preparations

The lawn is mowed. I think it is wonderful that my children are growing up and wanting additional responsibilities. I can remember when new chores were fun, almost a right of passage. Tatum now earns an allowance for laundry, emptying the dishwasher and mowing the lawn (under the careful supervison of her father). She is VERY slow, careful and methodical.

Rikard decorated. We can't have our own fireworks within the city or county limits here so we have to improvise. When the time comes, we will find a nice place to view the city's fireworks display, but chalk images of grand displays on the sidewalk will have to do at home.

And, we are doing all this to prepare for our weekend guests - the invited and uninvited ones. This little guy is making our carport home.

My sister and mom plan to hold a yard sale at our hosue Friday and Saturday and Rick's dad and uncle are scheduled to visit for the weekend. It will be an exciting balancing act to keep everyone properly entertained.

Our little man

Eight years ago...he entered our lives and changed them forever. Today he is entertaining, handsome, vibrant and challenging. He has the most creative though processes, doesn't let much deter him and always does things his way.

WARNING - self promoting post

Finally, a chance to talk - or brag - about myself. :-)

I walked through graduation this weekend, celebrating the near completion of a master's degree in communication studies. It was a gratifying experience, recognition for the time, effort and sacrifice it took to earn the degree.I asked Rick to take a photo of me with my parents. Somewhere there is a framed photo of the three of us celebrating my long-ago high school graduation. My mom has a photo of Rick, myself and the kids on her camera. I've learned to be patient.

I smuggled a camera in my gown and took photos of my classmates in the procession and while listening to speakers. If you look closely at the crowd you can pick out my fan club, my peeps. Rick, Tatum, Rikard, Keeli, Jim, Joyce, Kyle and Jessica all made the trek to watch this auspicious occassion.

All three of my children thought the ceremony had a lot of people talking for a long time, but overall they thought it was pretty good. There were a couple of speakers who should have been reigned in, like the one who reminded me to thank my high school counselor (whatever! like that would happen) and my residence hall advisor for helping me get to where I am today. That may have worked for the undergraduates, but not the crowd I was seated with.

Rikard wanted to wear the "smart hat." I look foward to the day when we can celebrate him wearing his own cap and gown. That should be in about 10 more years.Before he gets his accolades I will hopefully earn a doctoral degree. Keep your fingers crossed and hope I find a pot of gold to help pay tuition.