Following in Grandma's Footsteps

I think I would have made my grandma LaSota proud this week. I feel like she's been here in the kitchen and around the house with me, checking on all the things I've been doing....such as canning a 1/2 bushel of beets with Gretchen (along with Jane who cooked them all for us!); canning 12 pints of sweet garlic dill slices; and making chicken broth from a chicken carcass. Next up is the actual chicken soup. And, later, when the girls go to sleep, I'm going to start on some knitting projects for Christmas.

Yep, I definitely took after my grandma LaSota. May she rest in peace.

Short and Sweet

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Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

When Shutterfly recently sent me a coupon for a free 8x8 photo book just for being a good customer, I couldn't let it pass me by. So, I took a 38-page book I had created last Christmas as a gift to Zelda's grandparents of our China trip. I condensed it and hit the highlights for Zelda, intending this to be a book she can carry around and savor. (Since it's taken me until last week to finish her 'first year home' book and I have yet to complete her China trip book - though it's well under way! - I thought this would be a great treat and surprise for my little one.) It came today and we can't wait to give it to her tomorrow morning. 

The book also came with codes for a 10% off everything coupon plus 5 free greeting cards - for me and three friends. So, dear friends, if you're interested, be among the first to respond and I'll pass along the codes. They must be used by Nov. 17. 

I'm Roaring Again

I had another 'I am woman, hear me roar' moment today. Ron and I are in charge of the community well on our block. Earlier this summer, he showed me how to reset the pump when it goes out and stops providing water to our houses.

So, earlier today my neighbor called me on my cell just after I had dropped off Zelda for preschool.  My neighbor asked if I had water because they weren't getting any at her house. Since I wasn't home, I couldn't tell if my water was working, but, typically, if one house doesn't have water than neither do the other seven.  I told her I'd check the pump.

I zipped over to our street and parked near the pump, which is at the opposite end of the road from our house. I walked over to it and saw that the meter wasn't turning. So, I hoisted up the big, honkin' box that covers the actual pump unit. I pressed the two buttons to reset the pump and heard that lovely clicking sound that indicated it reset itself.

Lo and behold, the meter started running again, too. 
I rocked that problem today!

Zelda's first year home

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I'm enjoying my girls' stamping weekend - stamping cards, watching movies and working on my Shutterfly photo albums. While I put a lot of time in on my 12x12 book of both trips to China, I'm thrilled to share the book I just completed. This is Zelda's first-year-home book. Enjoy!

Fun Remembered via Shutterfly

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In my effort to get chosen to host a Shutterfly photo book home party, I thought I'd share a Shutterfly album that I created last fall. I don't know if I just love the book, or if I just love the book because the content reminds me of how much I loved the trip.