To Catch You Up

Ahhh, you guys! One of the hardest parts about blogging for me is the pictures. I find it difficult to get the shots taken and loaded onto the computer, then discouraged b/c they are mostly lousy. I believe that is the biggest reason that I stopped blogging for so long.

The other reason was my youngest darling, Laila. I am no stranger to active kids. Both Ken and I were movers and shakers, we were well aware of the risk going into the procreation game. Clarabel was a really active toddler, like to climb and jump and get into whatever she could.

Now, Miss Laila, she is in a league of her own. Laila is not content with climbing onto the tables. From the kitchen table she climbs to the kitchen counter then onto the butcher block and rocks it back and forth. Like cutting block surfing. Fun games. She's 17 months. Fortunately she is able to get up and down the stairs by herself and that is a relief as the stairs are really central to our house and can't be gated. Though she is now starting to climb up the banister instead of the stairs. I am sure that part of it is having a 4 year old sister to chase but I firmly believe that she has some thrill seeking needs. And of course everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, goes in her mouth. Kinda has kept my hands full. Not to mention that she is not terribly fond of sleeping.

That said, she is really a delight. She is very animated and loves to dance, especially pirouettes. Her favorites words are owl and bummie. When I am not worn down to nothing with extracting her from very unsafe situations I am usually laughing. She is very funny.

Other than parenting, here's what I have been up to.
Much reading. (anyone read the Twilight series??)
Some beach going and pool swimming in the summerer months.
A great deal of procrastination of housekeeping.


Lots and lots of canning. Jam, salsa verde, relish, chutney, pickles veggies, ketchup and peaches. I'm done now, I don't think I want to process any more food. Until next year...

Today we made a pie. Apple and blackberry, it's a Jamie Oliver recipe, though I used my own pastry recipe. It is the most beautiful pie I have ever made, so for your viewing enjoyment

pie!