Summer's End

It's hard to believe that this summer is over. It has been a big one with lots of change, all good. We spent out first summer in our new home, in a different state, learning about our new town and all the great things to do around here. I have been visiting our local farmer's markets (I can reach at least four within 30 minutes).

I did a lot of canning this summer. I wish I had time to do more, but I ran out of time and storage space! I can plan ahead for next summer. ("Can plan ahead." Get it? See what I did there? Canning?) I bought some beautiful peppers and made some pepper jelly from them. I had no idea what color these peppers would make all mixed together, but see for yourself.




It looks like honey, doesn't it?


I also made some jalapeño jelly, and both of these are going to be so yummy either on cream cheese with crackers or baked with sliced summer sausage.

We closed on our new house in September, so I have started painting! I bought a can of bright white trim paint the day before we closed. For some reason, the previous owners decided to paint every stick of wood in this house grey -- the trim, the doors, the cabinets. Everything. One thing I took from living in Savannah is the beauty of bright white trim. It makes everything look so fresh. I think it's modern and traditional all at the same time. I'm going to have lots of "before & afters" for you!

I’m not going to make any excuse for being away from the blog except to say: hubby got a wonderful new job, new job was far away, hubby moved several states away while we tried to sell the house. Then there was NOT selling the house, waiting month after month, the worst New England winter EVER, still NOT selling the house month after month, getting an offer that fell through AFTER our house was packed and on the moving truck, cat running away and missing for 4 days, driving to our new home, getting kids in school to finish the school year, finding new doctors for little girl, summer break, FINALLY selling the old house, new health issues for little girl, starting school, boy in 6th grade (so a new school), and closing on new house soon.

Phew!

So a lot has happened. A lot that I feel inspired to write about so I will. I also had a kind friend say that she thought I should get back to it, especially since I have so much to talk about. And hubby likes the way I write too and was encouraging.

The blog is called Children, Cooking, Miracles. There will still be some of each, plus a lot of home stuff as we start to make our new house our own home. I’m sure there will also be some crafty bits and sewing. I have been making some new clothes for the girl, I have some things planned for me, and of course, Christmas is coming! (As I duck the rotten tomatoes you’re throwing!)

So basically, it will all be the same, just more frequent. I hope.

I hardly know what to do with January.

I guess that says it all! January. January. I don't start off the month with a big, champagne-filled fete -- I have little children, one of whom thinks that 3:30 is party time, so I gotta get my sleep while the gettin's good! This year, I went to bed on New Year's Eve at about 11:15. C decided he was going to stay up, but I heard him go to bed about 5 minutes after I did. Party animals, I tell ya!

I spent New Year's Day putting away Christmas. There has a been some discussion in the blogosphere about "keeper-uppers" and "putter-awayers." I'm normally a keeper-upper, but this year it just made me sad. I had such anticipation of Christmas and preparing for K coming home. But after he was gone, it just reminded me that our visit and the magic and anticipation was over. I so look forward to taking it all out in our new home next year. This was the best Christmas ever, but next year will break the record for Best of All Christmases Ever, Ever, EVAH!

January is such a long month, a long month with no holiday in it. Just at the beginning. I'm not much of a Valentine's Day decorator, but I put up a little heart garland on the mantle just to have something pretty and sparkly since everything else is a little bare. I am keeping the house kinda sparse so that buyers can see themselves here. (C'mon, Buyers!!!) But, yeah, January. Nothing big to decorate for, sew for, craft for, decorate for. I guess that's why all the home organization stuff comes out this month. Might as well pass those long winter days by weeding through your crap! I admit that is a good use for January. Guess I had better get to it.

First I really want to sew a cape for P out this fabric. Cute, right?! Or maybe a little coat like Jane's! That coat in that fabric? Ohhhh..... Does buying more fabric count as organization?