Mini Vacation - Falls View Falls on the Quilcene River

Our first stop after the ferry was Falls View Falls located on the Quilcene River. We hiked this trail with Wyatt in the backpack and Connor walking and my parents (early 50's) on a cool, but sunny day. The trail was a bit muddy. Going down the inital decent we ran into a man who told us to watch out for a wolf located across the bridge. We were able to see some wolf/big cat tracks and deer/moose/elk tracks on the trail, as well as some scat and other droppings, but thankfully never ran into any animals. There were a few small blowdowns on the trail, but for the most part it was clear. It was an relatively easy 1.2 mile hike that our 5 year old was able to do without problem. I would however recommend bringing a camelbak because we did need water and were not prepared. Even though the river was flowing right along, I would venture to guess that the spring run off has not really started yet. It wasn't until we were coming back that we actually spotted the falls. We did have to park at the entrace to the campground as it is still closed and walk in, but it was a very easy walk. However, there are no bathroom facilities that are open. Peeing in the woods was a very unique and cold experience that I really don't wish to repeat anytime soon...but I guess it is par for the course when you hike. After hiking the 1.2 miles we found the short 0.1 mile upper view "trail". I am almost glad that we did hike as I think it made us appreciate the falls more.

I am blogging about this kind of in a helter skelter order so as not to forget things. This will make it easier for me when I scrapbook this trip.

Heidi #4 update

We are at 4 lbs 10 ozs, we wore our first outfit and got our first soapy bath over the weekend. We went from 3 Liter high flow oxygen to 0.5 liter low flow oxygen. We are ready for a crib but we are on a waiting list to get one.

Scrapmatters

So after complaining that there was no good free scrapbooking stuff on the web, I found Scrapmatters. It is an AWESOME on-line resource and right now they are having a "Design Star" contest and I spent all last night downloading some really cool kits, papers, and tonight it is going to be embellishments. I was trying not to be greedy, but I was drooling. This might be just what I need to get some juices flowing again, now only if I could take better pictures.

Swimming Page

This is much better as far as inspiration goes!

Last Required Scrapbook Page

Gold Medal - pictures

Here are some pictures of Connor with his medal he won.

Uninspired

I am feeling so uninspired lately. Mostly I am talking about scrapbooking and photos, but life in general too. I am trying to finish up this on-line scrapbooking class, but am not liking anything that I am doing. Partly because I really don't like the papers and am having a hard time finding some pictures that somewhat go with it...which brings me to another point, it is very hard to find free papers on the web that are anywhere near good. My picture taking lately has been dull, boring and just not exciting (see example at left). I am hoping that the trip to Port Townsend with my parents next weekend will have nice weather and give me a chance to take some beautiful pictures of my kids and surroundings....if I can keep my husband from filling the card with shots to "stitch" together and make a panorama.

I worked last night and even though it was a formal dance (and I do love seeing the kids dressed up) I just couldn't muster up the enthusiasm that I felt I should be having. It could be because the teacher said that the dance sales were terrible and that she would have cancelled the dance if she could have. I do get a minimum, but on a Friday night when I have made Ryan come home early...it would just be nice to earn some real money. It used to take me forever to drape the fabric for the backgrounds and have it look just so. Well, I am either just getting really good at it (I can hope this is it) or I just am beginning to not care. It is so hard when you know that things aren't going to get you much...grr....I hate feeling like that.

Please come soon sun to stay!!!

Science Night 2

More Good Heidi News

Heidi has moved up a level again...she is now in level 3 nursery. She is almost 4 lbs and doing very well. They have checked her eyes and say that there should be no problems with them beyond what type of vision she inherits from her parents. Today is her mother's birthday, so she had better be a good girl today!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

Heidi Update

She was moved from the Level 1 NICU to the Level 2 NICU. She is now on high flow nasal oxygen which is taped to her face because she keeps pulling it out. She eats 28 cc's every 3-4 hours and really lets you know when she is hungry according to Katie. Katie is now able to hold her for about an hour each day and she sucked on her binky for like 15 minutes. She is making remarkable progress and it is all due to your kind thoughs and prayers. THANK YOU!!!

This says it all

1st Page Using Template

Pictures of Heidi!!!!

Lesson 3 of Scrapbooking

Getting Better

Yet More Digital Scrapbook Page (not my fav)

My 1st Digital Scrapbooking Pages

I call this a reject

So, the tip about the oil in the water for the eggs....well, what do you think?

Gold Medal

Connor had his first Tae Kwon Do Tournament today. He was in the Tiger Cub division and his level was white belt. He won a Gold Medal for his efforts. What is amazing is that he was running a 101 fever at the time. Here is a picture of his uniform laid out with the medal. When he is feeling better I will get one with him wearing it. We were not able to get any pictures of the actual Tournament since we were behind glass and he was facing away from us. (plus we forgot the camera...bad mommy)

Canned Meat

My grandfather still gets a kick out of telling the story about the first time my husband ever tried canned meat...specifically canned pork. Now in my family, you wolf down as much of this yummy goodness as you can before the others get to it. Then you might think about taking a breath or side dishes. Well, he didn't think he would like it and decided to eat everything else, but the meat until there was no choice. After his first bite, he was sorry that there was not any more let. Sorry honey, you snooze you loose.

Canned Pork

~ Pressure Canner

~ Pork Shoulder, cut into cubes. Save the extra fat to add to the top

~ water - 1 TBS in bottom

~ salt - 1 tsp on top

~ Quart canning jars, wide mouth works easiest

Pack into jar, leaving 1 inch of head space. Cook at 12-15 lbs of pressure for 70 minutes (or if you have a cookbook that came with your pressure canner, use that)

Canned Beef

~ Pressure Canner

~ Best cut of heavily marbled meat, cut into cubes. Save extra fat.

~ salt - 1 tsp on top

~ Quart canning jars

Pack into jars, leaving 1 inch head space. Cook at 11 lbs of pressure for 90 min.

A note here. My grandmother in MI just goes to her butcher and tells him she wants beef for canning, so she is not 100% sure of the cut of meat. I can tell you that we didn't use one with enough marbling or didn't add enough fat because the meat is a little dry.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that the meat is dry and I want to use it up, but trying to find a recipe to mask the dryness. Tonight I made it into tacos and a sub for ground meat. It was pretty good. I used my own seasoning blend since I now have all the spices back in the house.

Does it work?

I recently read in a magazine that if you add 1 TBS of oil to water when boiling the eggs that they peal like a dream. Now that it is Lent I will have to let you all know if it works (or not).

Connor's new bedroom set

A GREAT deal from Craigslist....we pick up on Thursday