Here's a special treat for your Friday, friends! This freezer strawberry jam is so easy to make, the hardest part is waiting the 24 hours for it to set. If you lick the bowl and spoon in the meantime to make the most of the strawberry goodness, you're in good company (wink). 

The recipe was found on the Sure-Jell website:

4 cups crushed strawberries (1 qt. will be plenty)

4 cups sugar

3/4 cup water

1 pkg. Fruit Pectin (I used Sure-Jell, see additional pectin notes below)

Especially when there's a sweet girl with an apron underneath them!

A healthier alternative to the four cups of sugar (oy) would be using a low-sugar pectin. Since we don't make a meal out of jam, I've haven't minded the sugar that much. But I would like to try a low-sugar one in the future, the one below from Pomona allows you to use honey, agave, stevia or a multitude of other choices. Sweetness! 

Here are some Amazon Affiliate links for your convenience:

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• I made them with more paper than the tutorial called for- twelve to fifteen sheets- and they instantly became more fuller. It might have something to do with the dollar store tissue paper I was using- maybe you can get by with only eight sheets if you're buying yours at a craft s. But if they're not filling out how you would like, definitely try adding more sheets.
• I didn't try to cut through the whole stack at once when curving the ends. I cut through about half of the stack, then carefully worked on the other side. This helped me to control the curve much better and was easier for my scissors too. 
• I unfolded one side at a time- completely finishing that side before moving onto the other side. They unfolded much better this way, and I was able to adjust them afterwards. 

It didn't take long for Isia & Billy to get comfortable with putting mud onto paper! They especially enjoyed using their hand-prints, oohing & awing when their little prints were left behind. 

Aren't they so much fun? I would love to repeat this (when they're a bit older than a toddler & preschooler) and see if they can paint in their picture the traditional Malian way- painting the background and leaving the design in the unpainted areas. In the meantime, it was fun to paint with our mud pit and learn a little bit about African art. Win win! 

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...with our hands, and the occasional truck too (wink). Does it get any better than a mud pit and water? Such simple, cheap fun. We also made some awesome Malian art with our mud too, but I'll share more about that tomorrow. Did you make a summer bucket list this year?

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Surprisingly (ha), I was wrong. 

As the mound of boxes grew...

...I realized I needed all my mental reserves- and then some- to stay above water. Although we've moved several times before, I really struggled with feeling overwhelmed by the process. Not only were we moving, we were selling a house with all the inspection and up-date goodness that goes with that. It was a bit more than my Mama-brain could handle. So I did the best I could, trying to stay present and give my best to the kiddos I love most. Some days I had the foresight to set up empty boxes for them to explore while I packed, or pipe-cleaners & goggly eyes to create play-dough sculptures with. 

Or setting up a play-tent for them to sleep in after their beds got packed away. But there were also days they watched back-to-back Bob the Builder's... or we ordered Chinese because I forgot all about dinner. Anything that meant arriving sane & intact into this new space together at the end.

And I think we've succeeded. There might have been a few bumps and bruises along the way- our piano can attest to that- but I think we're stronger for the journey. Not that the journey is over. There are boxes and boxes to unpack (oh my) and small-town life to adjust to. But we'll get there, hopefully borrowing some patience from our new wooded surroundings.

Welcome home. 

''

This middle of the week finds me...

...reliving State Fair memories with my Mama & kids from yesterday.

...excited that Billy & Isia enjoy the Fair as much as we do! Especially since we plan on going two more times. 

...anticipating another "Blue Moo" (grilled cheese with American & blue cheese, yum!) soon. 

...wondering if I need to find my own recipe when the fair leaves? I'm thinking yes. 

...working on short, sweet & to the point requests with Isia. I'm finding out "Shoes, please" works even better than "Please put on your shoes, we need to leave quickly please."

...thinking that I'm often guilty of choosing eleven words when two would work just fine. Short & sweet is easier for little ears- and sleep-deprived Mama brains.

...finishing up The Alchemist which was really enjoyable.

...happy that I picked it up at this juncture in our life. There are some Changes under-foot, I'll share the details with you soon!

...enjoying the rain out our window. It's been much needed & greatly missed.

...starting to see the beginnings of leaf turning around here, Fall will be here soon. We have just a few more things to check off our Summer Bucket List  first... then it can come (wink).