"I Love My Job!" My friends hear me say this often.  During the last two weeks I have had the privilege of teaching Beginner Canning Classes.  Today we learned to use a pressure canner to preserve low-acid foods (green beans, carrots, etc). Last week I taught how to use the water bath method to can tomatoes.  I used the water bath method last year when I decided I was going to have my own garden (yes I planted over 25 plants and had tomatoes everywhere).  But today using the pressure canner I was a bit nervous and felt unprepared. My supervisor from another county, Sara, had agreed to come help teach the class since I was uncomfortable.  In preparing for the class I took the new canner out of the box, read instructions, and prepared the canner just as the instructions said.  During class everything was going great.  We had blanched the green beans, put them in the jars, then had the pressure canner loaded and ready.  Until (yes the dreaded until).  As we begin to heat the canner pressure is susposed to build up inside, the pressure wasn't building.  OH NO, it wasn't working like i had always been taught.  Thankful momma Sara  that's what we sometimes call her because she is like a mother to all she works with, was here we decided it was losing pressure around the guage.  So here we had to decompress the canner and we discovered a gasket had been broken.  So after fixing that we reassembled the canner and thankful what we did worked because it started holding pressure, our beans finished processing.  Everyone was so excited about the results and getting to take the a jar of fresh green beans home.  They will be so good this winter.  Yes "I Love My Job"!

Can't believe it's already the last part of March.  I have been so busy with work, school and family activities I forget about this New Thing I am supposed to be trying . . blogging. . .so to catch you up here it goes.  At work we have been doing lots of nutrition & cooking programs with the youth. This year we are going into the Preschool classes and doing a program that's called LEAP.  I read them a story, do an activity and then let them taste something that they usually don't get to try or maybe have never tried.  They have gotten to try bean dip, salsa and spinach.  You would be surprised that they actually do try it (oh did i mention if they try it they get a surprise).  In the 3rd grade classes we use curriculum called Professor Popcorn.  We start out teaching about MyPlate, and then we break it down into categories and teach a little but more in depth about each one.  After each lesson they also get to have a snack.  I have also been teaching basic cooking class with the 4-H Agent.  In this we teach them how to properly measure, read a recipe and most importantly how to clean up after they cook.  As with this they get to eat what they cook.  They have made mini pizzas and cookies.
School has become awful busy.  I just finished my basic computer class and this week I am beginning my Office 2010 Computer Class.  I know I will learn a lot.  In my classes I do a whole semester in only five weeks.  I'm already wishing with this computer class we could slow down because I just don't think i'm going to be able to comprehend as much as I want to.  I want to know how to do every little bit, if that's even possible.
In my spare time I have gotten to do some Geocaching.  We have been to some very interesting places in our local area.  If you don't know what Geocaching is, it is a high tech treasure hunt. If you would like to know more you can always check it out on geocachng.com.  My sister and i are planning on going to a Geocaching Event the Memorial Day Weekend, it's called Geostock X. I can't wait.  It's always fun to learn new techniques and since you are only known as a code name you can put a face to a name.

I attached a picture of a travel bug.  This is used in Geocaching.  You can see where all they travel to.

MY New Do . . Decided to opt for something different, haven't had my hair this short in several years.  Like me my hair was stubborn and my hair dresser couldn't get the dark hair to take red highlights so she had to lift the color and then put the red back in, I think it's a little light brown instead of red.  Maybe next time.  I'm already enjoying it and i know it will be great this summer, with all the hot weather and summer activities. 

Lizzie is part of our family too!

Just had to share this family photo.  I love it that our dog Lizzie wanted to be in the picture and when Justin picked her up she gave him sugar and the photographer captured the moment - priceless moment!

The New Year

Wow, can't believe today is already the 9th of January.  Yesterday I celebrated my 46th Birthday.  I tell everyone i'm just 36.  I had my last son when I was 36 and I said I wouldn't have anymore birthday.  But it's all well and good.  You are only as old as you feel and I do not feel 46.  Tonight will is the first night of my second semester of college.  I finished my first semester with 3 - A's & 1 - C.  I was very proud of myself.  I do not do well with math and that's what I made a "C" in.  I was hoping for at least a B.  That would of put me on A&B honor roll. Ok honestly I just wanted my mane in the local paper for making Deans List.
With a new year there are always new starts, since i don't like to say "New Year's Resolution" I just try to make some great changes.  Hopefully I'm going to get better at this blogging.  I keep forgetting to do it. There's really no excuse, I just forget.  I'm also trying some new starts in my spiritual life. And as always I always try to make changes in being a better mom & just all around better person.
I know everyone is on a "Pinterest" kick and i've been bitten too.  So I cleaned up my sewing room this weekend.  I am going to make my son some St. Louis Cardinals curtains.  Darrell & I painted his room (I only rent so I had to go back with what color it was) but can't wait to see how they turn out.  I'll post pictures (if i just don't totally forget).  Well until next time.

This is our family picture at Christmas 2011, my mother, sister, brother, my children & niece & nephew.  Since it was a Sunday we went to Church to celebrate the birth of our savior.  My family surprised me and they was all there.  We always do lunch at my house. Then afterwards the kids get to open their gifts.  It was a wonderful day with family & of course lots of food.

Operation Christmas Child

Well it's not even Thanksgiving yet & we are already doing Christmas activities at our church. I'm not much on doing Christmas activities before Thanksgiving but I will make an exception for this one.  Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child.  The boxes have to be packed in early November so they can then be sent to a distribution center.  From there they are sent to third world countries.  We put the items out on tables then the youth goes along and pick up one of each item and puts it in a shoebox.  We pack items like soap, washcloths, toothbrush & toothpaste, combs, hair accessories, school supplies, toys, and what ever else we can get into the boxes.  The children always look forward to participating in this activity at church.  We have been doing this for approximately 8 years now. Could you imagine being a child and not receiving anything for Christmas.  If you would like to participate in this you can Google Operation Christmas Child.  Hopeful by participating in this you will show a child God's love and lead them to the Lord.