The one about strawberry jam...

Well, we've made it through the first part of June. Now that I look back, it passed so quickly. Mickey has been working evening shift for all of June which means he has spent a lot more time at home. We are loving it.
Michael is working at the golf course and finishing Algebra 2. Maddie and Marc are hanging out here and doing Math and History and enjoying the summer.
Mickey just finished fixing up and putting new batteries in the motor scooters. So they will get more use now. Maddie and Mickey have also embarked on a challenge to run a 5K at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Kentucky. So, training has begun for that whlie we have been finding ways to stay busy.



HOWEVER...the big news of June is the strawberries have been picked, cleaned, and made into freezer jam. The kids and I go strawberry picking every year. It's become a family tradition. We pick the berries, and they help clean and then we make jam. The jam goes into the freezer and then is handed out at Christmas as gifts to their Sunday School teachers, AWANA workers, and other friends. We take pride in our berry picking and jam making skills.


I'm proud to say that this year, every one was totally involved...even Mickey. Because of working evening shift, this year he was involved in every part of the process. This hasn't happened before. It was a fun and memory making time for all, except the kids have caught on that berry picking isn't just fun anymore, but it's work. Especially when I like to bring home about 30 lbs. of berries. :-D

The funniest part was we paid a little more to pick this year than normal. The day after we had finished our big jam making project, we walked into the commissary and they had berries for 26 cents cheaper than the ones we had to pick ourselves. Go figure. Anyway, I still enjoy the family tradition. The kids worked hard, Mickey worked hard and I worked hard, but we have a freezer full of jam.
This year was a record year. We put up 22 cup jars, 22 pint jars, and 8 quart jars. YAY!!

The one about Maddie going to camp...

Last week, our daughter Maddie was at camp. It was her first time to go to camp so I was a little anxious for her. She went to CYIA (Christian Youth In Action) camp.
The original plan had been for Michael and Maddie to go to camp together. This would have given me a little peace of mind, to know Michael was there with Maddie during her first camp week. However, Michael got a job at the golf course, and was unable to attend because of work.
So the debate began between Mickey and I as to if we should send Maddie or not. We knew she would only know two people there for sure, so it would be a little more difficult than if she were going with Michael or going to camp with her youth group.
However, we really felt like it would benefit Maddie so much to receive the training she would get at CYIA.
The whole purpose of the camp is to train teenagers to work in 5 Day Clubs or Backyard Bible Clubs sponsored by C.E.F. (Child Evangelism Fellowship) http://www.cefonline.com/
CEF is the largest mission group for reaching children. They are a Biblically sound group, taking the gospel to children who have never heard of Jesus and His sacrifice. (Check out the video on the website)

While at camp, we knew Maddie would be trained in:
1. How to lead a child to Christ using the Wordless Book
2. Teaching missionary stories
3. Techniques on helping children learn a memory verse from God's Word
4. How to maintain club order
5. Teaching Bible songs to children so they can praise the Lord.

The training is something she would have with her the rest of her life. She can use the Wordless book in leading anyone to Christ, not just a child.
But...we knew Maddie can be very shy when thrust into a new situation. So we debated and prayed, and finally decided she was going.
She was nervous at first, but when she called Monday night, she said she knew we made the right decision.
Last night, Jackie Weiss, the local coordinator for CEF came to our church and Maddie was able to give a brief testimony about CYIA. She was nervous, but I was so proud of her, as it was her first public speech in front of adults EVER! Mickey and I were thrilled with her willingness to speak about what she had learned.
She is already committing to going back next year. Way to go, Madd!!!

The one about ice cream bucket lasagna...

Our family likes lasagna. My sister in law Susan, calls the cottage cheese and sauce part: "The guts". That's the best part of lasagna. Well, we like to eat lasagna, but it can be tedious to make and while this isn't always the method I use when making lasagna, this is the method I use for those quick everyday type meals. :-D I got this recipe off a freezer meal yahoo group that I frequent. If your family will eat things from the freezer and then things that have been cooked in the crockpot, you may want to try it.
The kids always help me put it all together in assembly line fashion. Usually Maddie and Marcus help, but today Michael got to help since Maddie was gone. Marcus felt good, because he knew the routine, and he was telling Michael what to do next. :-D

Enjoy! :-D

Ice Cream Bucket Lazagna
~
5 lbs hamburger (I don't use this much hamburger...and also sausage is a nice variation)
tomato sauce spices, whatever you normally prefer
2 containers large size cottage cheese (I use more of this)
4 eggs salt pepper
mozzarela cheese, shredded, at least 4-6 cups (I use the big bag of monz, cheddar, and provolone from Sam's Club)
2 packages lasagna noodles ( I end up using about 3 boxes instead of two)
6 ice cream buckets (good for 5qt.size crockpots, or any freezer/crockpot compatable one gallon containers
Cook a large package of hamburger (approx 5 lbs), drain.
Place it back in the pan you cooked it in, (don't dirty another pan)
Add tomato sauce and spices as you like it.
In another large bowl, mix two large containers of cottage cheese, four eggs, and salt and pepper. A third bowl has a large quantity of shredded mozzarella. (I don't dirty a bowl for this, but just use a measuring cup and get the cheese directly from the bag.)
Open two packages of lasagna noodles, cook as directed on box. (I don't pre cook the noodles, this saves time)
Place all the ingredient bowls and pans in a row on the counter.
Then take 6 (one gallon) ice cream buckets or similar container.
Layer as follows: noodles, sauce, cheese and repeat til done.
That is it! You end up with six lasagnas, and only 3 dirty pans.
Freeze until completely solid.
Then slip from the ice cream bucket and place in gallon Ziploc bags.
Then store back in the freezer, this way takes up much less space.
Using the ice cream bucket makes it the exact size and shape for a round 5 quart crockpot.
You might find another container that works better for you. When you decide to cook, just pop it in the crockot on LOW all day.

The one about new templates and blog features and famliy updates.....

Well, some of my friends have excited me into changing the blog a bit. I created a playlist, and changed the template. Later I will add a favorite book list. I also added more links to friend's blogs and other blogs of interest. Please check out Angie's Blog. She is the wife of Selah singer, Todd. It is very thought and prayer provoking.

Also, check out some of my new friend's blogs. My friends Lisa and Kristin (sisters) have new blogs and great templates. Amanda and Bethany also updated their blog templates and they have a great new look.

My sister changed her blog address, but the link will take you there. (Debbie's Blog)

Also, facebook, now has an app, called Mirror Blog where all your blog posts will be mirrored onto your facebook. Pretty cool, for those who only like checking one thing. :-D

Oh, Alaina changed her blog a lot. Jacob, her brother, of course, helped, and it looks GREAT! I need to make Michael sit down and help me with mine. I'd love to have a slideshow going on here someday. :-D

We are enjoying summer. Maddie is away at camp and we miss her but are encouraged every night by her calls. We got bad weather last night, here in NE, but I was thrilled to learn that Maddie had a storm cellar to go to if needed.

Michael is working at the golf course, and is still enjoying it. Marcus is just enjoying the summer. He hasn't had to do History since he and Maddie to that together and Maddie is gone. However, Math has been done.

I got the filing organized! Big project! Now today on the list: Change out summer clothes/Put winter clothes away and clean the linen closet. I have been putting off the linen closet for some time, and let me tell you, it doesn't get any better the longer I put it off.

Also, I found out that strawberry season is here and the Berry Farm http://www.bellevueberryfarm.com/
opens for picking tomorrow. I won't go until next week when I have all three kids, but we will do our annual trek to the farm. I'm hoping Mickey is on night shift next week and I can get him to come with us! Then it's time to make the jam! I love this time of year. It gets hectic in the kitchen, but it is such a satisfying feeling to put up all those jars of jam and have them to pass out to friends at Christmas!