Another Valentine's Day Finished

I don't really like Valentine's Day but as my boys' classes do card exchanges I can't escape it.

I hate hate the cards for sale in stores these days. What happened to the differently shaped cards? What happened to fun cards? Now all you can find are punch out rectangles with current cartoon characters on them (and the obligatory lollipop or pencil). B-O-R-I-N-G. I remember my favorite V Day cards: they folded into little envelopes and came complete with "stamps" to put on the outside. They were so cute and fun and different. 

Anyway... 

So, I make the boys' cards each year. I don't do over the top goody bags or cards with my kids' picture on them but I try to come up with something fun. All I use is Microsoft Publisher and Google lol!

This year's card for the 4 year old preschool class: 

And the cards for the 8 year old's 2nd grade class: 

I thought they were cute. :) Perhaps one year I'll think of it earlier than five days before the due date and have card stock to print on. Lol! 

Hope you have a fun day and eat lots of chocolate. :)

Ma-Maw's Peach Preserves

My Ma-Maw made tons of canned things. Yeah, I'll admit it. I don't remember much but I DO remember the peach preserves. Its been probably twenty years since I had any fresh made preserves so I was determined to learn. 

And learn I did. 

I got a bunch of peaches from Jaemor Farms and found an easy recipe online (it's from the Georgia Peach Counsel page). It was a bit of work and probably took a bit longer than it should but hey - first time. 

What did I need for 12 1/2 pint jars? 

About 11-12 cups peeled, chopped peaches 

7 cups of sugar

9-10 Tbs pectin

Lemon juice

What did I do? 

Washed all my jars, kids, and rings. Peeled and chopped the peaches. Added some lemon juice (probably a couple tablespoons) to keep them from browning. Put the peaches and sugar in a big pot, cooked until it tried to boil, then added the pectin. Very LOW boil for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches consistency you want. Put the jars, lids, and rings in boiling water for 5 minutes. Pour preserves in jars, close finger right, put in boiling water 5 minutes. Allow them to cool (you'll hear the kids pop which means they're sealed). 

Enjoy! 

More Crafty Goodness

I've managed to be crafty despite there being some sort of illness in the house almost every week since New Years. The first picture is the Christmas present for my mom that was finished on Christmas Eve. The rest are for various things. 

Love how this turned out! Will be making one for myself. 

Homemade Valentines for the boys' classes. Not because I'm cool but because I hate the boring, rectangular, gotta-have-some-character on them cards that are sold in stores now. 

Homemade peppermint sugar scrub for the boys' teachers. They smelled awesome...and looked pretty! 

Table decorations for our Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The theme was the pinewood derby. I threw these together the morning of the banquet after a frantic call from our Den Leader's wife. :) 

Wall/door hanger for a bridal shower gift. May have to make one for our house, too!