The Spirit of Optimism

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine."



-Gordon B. Hinckley


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Working together

Unfortunately my camera broke so I have to use my phone camera....it really does not take very good pictures.  :-/



Austin is cutting up fruit and Sarah and Jacob are de-stemming grapes.
We are using up all the fruit that has not been eaten: pears, apples, plums, grapes
We simmered the fruit in a bit of water.




All the grapes are de-stemmed.  We put them in the vita-mix and then strained the juice off.
That we drank.  Yummy.  Then we added the pulp to the fruit.




I poured the first batch on a plastic wrap lined tray and dried it over night.  I had forgetten to put honey or spices in it.  After I tasted it, it was really good without all of that.  I unfortunately have never made this so I put honey and cinnamon in the last 2 batches.  They all turned out, but we all liked the natural better.



Today I made banana bread with the banana's Sarah mashed.  Great job kids!  Thanks for all your help!!


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

2nd Snow Fall of the Season

The first snow we got a couple of weeks ago melted as quick as it fell - about 2 inches.  Todays snow - the first 3-4 inches melted and then it decided to stick and it is still snowing.






Halloween

- Before School -






Kids went trick or treating with friends.  Austin has changed his costume to go do this....he became black mail....put a stamp on his dark shirt.


Sarah's Birthday








Yep - Only 'one' present....she was so sad.  :-/
Go figure - that 'one' present was over $200....

Sarah Being the Primary Chorister