Carrot Relish

Yum!  It is that time of year for canning and preserving all those yummy things that come from my garden.  Recently the carrots started coming with a flourish so I decided to make one of my favorite relishes... carrot relish.  It is a sweet relish (as you can tell from the 6 cups of sugar in the recipe) that I love on hotdogs. While making the relish I am reminded of my Grandma, cause my mother says that is where the recipe came from.   Grandma died a little over a year ago, and while I didn't get to see her often, I still miss her.  She was a very strong and independent type of woman who was the oldest of twelve children.  She loved to dance, she loved the Lord and she loved her family with a fierceness that was all her own.  I was able to be there when she passed and sing her into glory with "Amazing Grace."  Anywho, I digress, again.... Carrot Relish... it is yummy.... go make some...

Carrot Relish
6 large green tomatoes (I just grabbed a bunch of green tomatoes from my garden)
6 large carrots (I used a whole bunch of small carrots from my garden)
6 large onions (I only used 3 BIG onions)
2 red peppers
6 cups sugar
6 oz jar of yellow mustard
1 pt and 1 cup white vinegar
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup flour (I used cornstarch so it would be gluten free)

Grind tomatoes, carrots, onions and peppers in food processor.  Add 5 cups sugar, mustard, 1 pint vinegar, and salt.  Cook 15-20 minutes.  Mix 1 cup vinegar, flour, and 1 cup sugar and cook until thickened and bubbly, about 1/2 hour.  Process in jars.

Wedding Bells are Ringing

Remember a few months back I told you Mr. Fitness and the Southern Belle were getting married?  Well, recently we drove from the Northeast to just over the Mason-Dixon line, into the back hills of West Virginia.  Now I have been "through" West Virginia on other trips south, but I have never really been to West Virginia, very different.  It is beautiful country.  One of the things I did notice was that it is rural!  Now believe me folks when I tell you that we do NOT live in an urban area by any means, but going through these hills one definitely feels as you could get lost real easy, real fast.  Anywho... back to the wedding.  It was a whirlwind of a trip but an amazing one.  My Prince Charming was the best man and my little princesses were asked to look pretty in pink.  So we got to get all dolled up for this one.  So here it is, the best way I know how... pictures...

Ok folks, you will have to bear with me here.  I took over 1000 photos at this wedding.  I weeded them down to about 300 for Facebook.  But for here I went to bare bones minimum only those that had special meaning to our family... 

our family at the rehearsal 

it was rainy and cool for the rehearsal 

but I think the couple didn't see past each other 

Mr. Fitness' parents 

With the bride and groom 

our three princesses 

 The rehearsal was beautiful with the chinese lanterns and white twinkling lights

 My crew looking real good

Handsome fella right there 

The men looking manly 

Just cause I like this one 

The entire crew 

Mr. Fitness and his crew 

Mr. Charming's extended family all together 

 The princesses looking pretty in pink

We dress up real good 

Think she is a tad excited!! 

Me and my man 

Another just because I love it 

While the rehearsal may have been rainy and cool the wedding day was bright and beautiful with stunning views 

Foot washing 

The kiss

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Fitness 

 It also happened to be Mr. Fitness' 21st birthday

Princess #1 got to spend some time with her godmother who live on the other side of the country 

The uncles 

The aunts 

The reception ended with square dancing... tons of fun 

This is a pre-warning for Sarah and/or Brian, if you are reading this... beware of crazy camera lady at your wedding day.

Happy Birthday Princess #3

Our baby turned 5 this spring!  When did that happen?  That means Kindergarten in the fall!  But for now we will finish preschool....

Princess #3 celebrating at her preschool

 Grandpa happened to be at the working at the church that day and was able to come to her preschool celebration too!

All my princesses pick tacos for their birthday dinner... Princess #3 just wanted a soft taco 

My princesses are not big cake fans so fruit pizza works 

Her very own DS!

A quiet family celebration for her birthday 

Grandma made Princess #3 a cowgirl outfit for her cowgirl party

 She wanted a pink and green cowgirl party

With a "partyata" 

A cowgirl and her ride

 I just happened to love this picture of my sister-in-law and me....

We may not be sisters by birth but I love her just the same!

Science Fair

Princess #1 is finally old enough to participate in the science fair.  So I pawned this project off on Prince Charming. 

 They came up with Operation Carbonation.  

They purchased all different kinds of soda.   

They shook them up and let the carbonation bubble out...

  then measured what was left. 

 The idea was that it could tell us which soda had the most carbonation.  

They had fun with one by dropping it to see if the top would come off

They did a great job and won 2nd place at the science fair for 4th graders

Easter Doings

Easter Breakfast 

  Hey it is me on the other side of the camera lens

Princess #1 

Princess #2 (after a slight bout of impentiego)

Princess #1

 Prince Charming

My life motto 

Our Easter service... goosebumbing kinda service 

Our family all gussied up 

Grandma gave the girls easter baskets to open 

The devastation 

Another bunny

 Sister-in-law with kiddos joined us while "Pastor" Brother had to work

 The Rents

Very yummy dinner that was very delicious despite the fact the power was out!