Walking in the Desert

We love to take morning walks. There are lots of weed-filled lots in our neighborhood that are just waiting to have houses built on them. The weeds often get so overgrown they cover up the sidewalks and we have to walk on  the street. That could be annoying, but it's hard to feel put out when the weeds look this beautiful.

So grateful to live in a place with such charming weeds. ;)

Duck Pond

If you know me well, you'll know that loving Utah doesn't come naturally to me. I often find myself focusing on the things I don't like about it. But really, there are lots of great things about this place and I'm trying hard to focus on those. So if you see an increase of overly complimentary posts about Utah, just know it's all in an effort to force myself to love where I live. I am determined.

I took the kids last week to one of the places I love: the byu duck pond.

Campus will always be a favorite place of mine. Great memories, for sure. But I love all the trees and manicured lawns and well-kept flower beds and beautiful buildings.

Summertime here brings green. And I love green.

These kids loved the ducks.

And the ducks loved them.

We all agreed that we would take all the cute little ducklings home with us if we could. Is there anything cuter than ducklings? Oh my!

The kids didn't want to leave. Neither did I. 

Yes, we are lucky indeed to live near such a duck pond as this. :)

Notes to self . . .

This summer I made freezer jam and canned peaches. It was quite adventurous for me! But there are a few things I'm worried I'll forget about those experiences. So I'm writing them here.

CANNING PEACHES

1. Don't can peaches. 

FREEZER JAM

1. Buy/pick enough berries to do several batches. I only did 2 batches of strawberry jam in May and we'll probably run out in October.

2. Buy the containers at the dollar store. You get the most for your money there. Last year I spent almost as much $ on containers as I did on the berries.

3. Buy sugar at Costco or Sam's. Sugar and flour are so cheap there! How did I never realize this before?

4. For as long as we're still in Utah, pick raspberries at The Raspberry Patch in Payson. So pretty there!

5. If you pick berries, you must save old milk cartons and cut a hole in the top, then loop the handle through your belt while you pick. You'll feel nerdy at first, but it's SO nice to have both hands free.

6. Buy lots of MCP pectin when it goes on sale.

7. Let the kids help mix, but don't let them pour. (I learned that one the hard way)