{giggles, coffee, pictures, scripture, campfires, teacups and flowers....}

This past weekend I went down to southern Minnesota with eight other girls to have a retreat at a farm in the middle of the beautiful, Amish country-side.....it. was. wonderful.!  There is SO much that I could say, (too much) but I am just going to keep it to pictures....just know that words cannot express how much I was blessed, challenges, welcomed, inspired.....the list goes on and on.....the faithfulness and goodness of my heavenly Father continues to amaze me!

(LOL!!)

All good things of life are less than nothing when
compared to His love,

and with one glimpse of they electing favor. 
All the treasures of a million worlds could not make me richer,
happier, more contended for His unsearchable riches are mine,

But O God, I could not long after Thy presence if I did not know the sweetness of it;  and such I could not know except by Thy Spirit in my heart,  nor love Thee at all unless Thou didst elect me, call me, adopt me, save me. 
 
-The Valley of Vision

exciting times

Today was an exciting day in the life of this sixteen year old......

she got her permit!!! 

(so y'all better stay of the sidewalks.) ;)

The Homemakeing Series: Pickles

 Yes friends, I finally made pickles!  And I am quite happy with how they turned out. =) 

Step 1: get a bunch of mini cucumbers, dill weed, and garlic

 

Step 2:  fill canning jars with two cloves of garlic and some dill

Step 3:  wash pickles
 

Step 4: stuff as many cucumbers as you can into the jars

Step 5: make the brine

Step 6:  Put the jars into hot water, and pour the boiling brine into the jars, then seal with the lid

(sorry I didn't get a pic of all those steps, my mom and I were both kinda busy)

Step 7:  put jars into a pan of boiling water and let it sit for 8 minutes

Step nine: take out jars and let them sit until you hear the "Pop!" of the lid sealing

Then....viola!  Pickles!  =)  *yay*

  

I heard somewhere that they test better if you let them sit on the shelf for ten days, so we just opened a can a few days ago, and yes, they taste much better and crunchier! 

love and smiles,

bailey =)

friends are:

the cherry on the sundae

the salt on the popcorn

 the sunshine breaking out of the clouds

the snow on a cold November morning

the cookie dough in the ice cream

the peanut butter in the  m & m

the glitter of the sunrise

the sparkle in the smile

the whipcream on the strawberries....

pretty much...friends are the best. =)



(love y'all)

Some Exciting News

Hello Peoples! 
For about a month now, I have had this urge to learn how to run a home - to learn some necessary skills for a woman.  For example:  I really wanted to learn how to can something....or how to cook (more)....or how to meal plan.....etc...those kind of things.  Well, God provided me with a few opportunities that got to "fan that flame,"  in the last two weeks!  And I thought it would be cool to document the "home-making" things that I do on this blog, for my own purpose, and I can use it towards school records as well, (score!).  Henceforth, I have decided to start, a blog series!  *smiles*  It's called....get ready.....

"The Home-Making Series!"

Ta-da!  Yes, I now have revealed what I've been conniving for some days.   OK. here we go.....

The Home-Making Series: Apple Cider

We have seven apple trees in our back yard, and since we have such an abundance of apples, my dad and our friend John, decided to borrow a friend's apple cider press to make our own apple cider.  It was quite a fun and rewarding night.

Step 1:  pick the apples and wash them

Step 2:  sort through the apples and see if any  have cuts on them or bad spots, and if they do...

Step 3:  give them to the ladies and they'll cut them off

Step 3 1/2:  let Naomi suck on the apples for extra flavor

Jual and Naomi =)

Step 4:  put the apples in the press and one person cranks as the others continue to fill the bucket   with apples

Step 5:  press the apple juice into pail

 Step 6:  pour apple cider into filter

Step 7:  pour filtered cider into a jug or jar (I prefer the jar)

and....viola!  Fresh, home-made, apple cider!  We made about twenty-one gallons and shared it with family and friends, and have enjoyed sipping on it ourselves!  There ya' go peoples - that's how you make apple cider.  

Here endeth my very fist Home-Making Series.  =) 

the o'brien clan

(my family is really good at matching when we're not trying to.....and we've done it on many occasions....it's kinda funny actually.)  :P 

anyways.....we finally got a good picture of everyone - SCORE!! :D

I just love these guys - they're the best!