Free Food Jellies

After reading a post on my friend Rebecca's blog, my memory was jogged about my mom making violet jelly quite a few years ago. My mom has a reputation for trying, ahem, "exotic" things. So, like mother, like daughter. I cannot disappoint! :) I decided to try my hand at making some violet jelly, too, because I had always wanted to but just didn't make the time and also because when my mom made it, it turned out tasting "grassy". I have come to the conclusion that either my mom left the stems in the mix or forgot the lemon juice because my jelly turned out pretty tasty and all the boys (and mama and da!) love it.

The recipe that I looked up on the internet also mentioned that it worked with mint, lemon balm, etc. The woman also said that she wanted to try dandelions next. Hmmm... As I eyed our lawn overflowing with violets and dandelions and my herb garden with peppermint and lemon balm flourishing, I decided to make more than just violet jelly. Also, seeing as I will have a brand new baby smack dab in the middle of canning season, I thought I should can what I could now. Of course, I will have to make an exception for some more of those volcano pickles (YUM!)

Here are some photos of my "free food jellies": peppermint-lemon balm, violet, and dandelion. They look like jewels in the light! The mint kind is surprisingly not that minty, considering I used peppermint. The lemon balm must balance it out nicely. I did use a few drops of food coloring in the mint and the dandelion, but only perhaps 3-4 per recipe. It did perk up the color, though. I usually am not much for adding things like that to what I make, but the color was pretty bland without it. :)

Sure-Jell Stephen

This isn't the best photo, but I just loved the look on his face. He wanted to be a big helper. :)

Sea of Purple

My favorite color...

Peppermint and Lemon Balm Soaking

It smelled wonderful!

Violet Liquid

This is what happens when the dark blue violet liquid has lemon juice added to it-NOW it actually looks violet!

Dandelions in Jar

Sneaky Pete

Timothy, my third boy, understands most commands you tell him. He obeys most of the time. He, however, never ceases to amaze me with the things he thinks up. One day, upon becoming disgruntled that he couldn't see what was going on on the table, he decided to drag our cooler (which I hadn't put away yet...) over to the table and climb up on it to gain a better view. He takes advantage of it whenever the opportunity arises...

Birthday photos

Here are some photos of last night's little party. Matthew sure had a lot of fun! :)

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Today is my oldest's 5th birthday. How did that happen?! Late last night, I had the idea of blowing up a number of balloons and writing the number "5" in bold, black marker on them. I then opened the door to the boys' room and gently tossed them in. This morning, while laying in bed, I awoke to the ooooing and ahhhing sounds of little boys who had discovered the brightly colored treasures strewn along the floor. They tossed them down the stairs and have been playing with them all day, even Timothy who has managed to pop two before naptime. :)

We took a jaunt to the local park and the boys enjoyed playing on the swings and slides. Timothy, much to my dismay, does NOT like the bucket swings. He clings to me desperately and screeches every time I try to let go. No fun!

There is a nice track around our park, so I brought the lumpy double stroller along to finally be able to take a walk. The road we live on is pretty busy for a rural area, with tractor trailer trucks and all sorts of vehicles barreling along, so I don't dare to take walks with the kids during the day. All other available roads seem to be set at a 90 degree incline, so I pass at those, too!

On one side of the park, there is a small drain that allows the water that seeps from an underground spring to flow out of the grass. Matthew and Stephen love to check this out, and today Matthew asked many questions about springs. I remembered a spring near a lake not too far from the park, so after we piled back in all sweaty and pink-cheeked, I drove to the spring and the boys filled their sippy cups and I filled my large cup with the sweet water. If only the stuff that came out of our tap was this yummy!

After that, we came back home for lunch and now, a delicious nap for the kids and downtime for me! Tonight, we are having a small get-together with my mom and stepdad. The menu is hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, french fries, and a tossed salad. On a day like today, the grill just begs to be fired up! Oh yes-cake and ice cream, too!