Things I Won't Miss...

With Peanut's arrival only 1 short week away... the end is in sight to this whole pregnancy thing. While overall, we've had an easy time, there are a few things that I am not going to miss. In no particular order.... here they are:

• Sleeping on the sofa. It's the only place I've been sort of comfortable for the last month- maybe two- and I'm looking foward to reclaiming my side of the bed.
• Sleeping on my side...oh what a joyous moment it will be when sleeping on my tummy is once again possible.
• To continue the theme- not getting up 5 times a night to use the bathroom. I realize this will be exchanged for getting up 5 times a night to feed/change, Peanut, but that's still better.
• Feet- where are you? Are you still there??
• Standing on the scale and having to twist to the side to read the number (which will hopefully be decreasing instead of increasing).
• Having ankles that are the same size as my calves.
• Not being able to reach my feet- blessed will the day be when I can give myself a pedicure.
• Only having 2 pairs of shoes that fit- and even those I have to cram my swollen fat feet into them.
• Not being able to give people hugs without turning to the side first.
• Achy hip joints that can take my breath away if I sit/lay/stand too long in the wrong position.
• Waddling.
• Finally, hearing comments from complete strangers like "Are you having twins?", "Are you ready to pop?" and "Hey there, little mama". UGH.

But the #1 thing I'm looking forward to about NOT being pregnant- and this I know tops my list... I'll have Peanut in my arms to shower with hugs and kisses!

An Update in Pictures...

So things have been a little busy lately, which means that I haven't updated the blog...

Since the strawberries are done, I no longer have a real good excuse- so I thought I'd post a few pictures to update the masses on the exciting life and times of the Held Family.

Miss Ginger came to visit over Memorial Day weekend while Nancy and Melvin took a short vacation. She settled right in and had herself a nice time...and thought the toy my mom bought for Pepper was super fun! Even though she had fun at our house playing with Pepper- and her toys- she was very glad to get home.

For some more Memorial Day fun, Mary Ann called to let us know that there was a calf without a mother in the pasture. Nick rescued him and we are having fun taking care of the little guy. It turned out that his mama had twins and we're not sure if she rejected him or if it was because he's mostly blind and couldn't see well enough to feed. Either way, he's ours now. The highlight of my morning the last week or so has been giving him breakfast. He eats with gusto! I know I shouldn't get too attached because odds are good he'll end up as freezer beef. Kind of too late for that though...

In other cuteness on the farm...
Nancy found a litter of kittens in the lilies near the garden. There are 3 of them... this little guy is the bravest of the three and let me take his picture. There's not much that phases him... he enjoyed watching Nick and Mel work in the garden last night, checked out Hannah, and comes right over to say hello. This morning, his mama had moved all three down by the shop. I hope she'll actually move them INTO the shop or barn, as it's supposed to rain today.

Melvin was planting some sudan grass for the cattle to munch on later this summer. I'm sure he's real glad Nick bought me the camera with the 10X zoom for my birthday!

The baby chicks aren't so little anymore. We moved them out to the big girl coop about a month ago and they are enjoying life in their new pad.

The lilies are in bloom along the road by the garden. Too bad the ugly construction sign is messing up the beauty.

Ahh... that's better!

The hydrangea's are also in full bloom. Nick picked a few for me the other evening. So pretty!

Boots is the queen of our yard. She considers the whole place hers and will even chase off the other cats if they set paw on HER yard. We love her though...it's nice to know she looks after the place.

Peanut's Tee

Today after my doctor's appointment (that took an eternity), 2 home visits to look at ailing trees, and lunch with the ladies- I came back to the office to find this!!

Kim Ashby, one of the wonderful Farmers' Market Volunteers made it for me. And tucked among the diapers was this!!

Looks like a perfect fit to me!! Thanks, Kim! I LOVE IT!

Strawberry Days

If you're wondering what we (the entire Held Family) have been up to recently, here's a synopsis....
We get up in the morning and load our cars with the strawberry orders for the day...
We go to work at our respective workplaces.
We come home... change into our berry pickin' clothes....
Pick as many berries as the fridge will hold...
Sort berries that we picked into quart boxes...
Fall into bed exhausted.
Do it all over again.

And I'm LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped pick, ordered berries, picked their own berries, etc. Dreams are hard work, overwhelming at times, but this girl is so happy and blessed that mine has come true! It wouldn't have happened without you... and you have no idea how grateful I am.

Freezer Jam

What do you do when you have an abundance of strawberries?? You make freezer jam!! This was my first stab at freezer jam on my own. I helped my grandma many years ago- but I don't remember her recipe....so I used the one from Better Homes and Gardens this time.

Looks easy enough- so I gave it a whirl...

Step 1: Pick strawberries. (The pregnant lady greatly appreciates it if you pick your own).

Step 2: Wash dirt off the strawberries. I don't mind the dirt when I'm picking, but probably best not to have it in my jam....

Hull and slice the berries. Share reject berries with Corgi waiting patiently.

Use a potato masher to mush the strawberries... (This is my favorite part!)

until they look something like this.

Add what seems like an entire bag of sugar (4 cups). Nick would probably make a joke that I use the same amount of sugar in my coffee...when I used to drink it. I miss coffee, especially on Monday morning... but I digress...

Don't forget the lemon peel!

Mix berries, sugar, and lemon peel and let sit for 10 minutes. Have insulin ready should you decide to take a taste...sugar shock may result.

Meanwhile, mix pectin and water in a small saucepan over high heat.

Bring to a boil.

Stir the hot pectin into the berries and sugar until smooth.

Next, ladle the berry mixture into jars. Spill some on the counter.
Hint: Ball makes these handy little freezer jars with screw on lids. They even have a fill line so folks like me can get it right!

Ta da!! The finished product! Yum!

Now I just need a biscuit!

Baby Shower #2

THANK YOU to Carla, Kathy, Kim, and Mary Lou (my wonderful co-workers) for throwing Nick and I a very nice baby shower for Peanut!! We had a wonderful time and received many nice gifts!

Vacation, Berries, and MORE!

I'm WAY behind on my blogging!! And we've had some fun things going on, lately!

Last week Nick and I went on vacation. Since a nine hour drive wasn't realistic this year for our usual trip to FL, we headed just a couple hours south to Lake Barkley State Park. It was a wonderfully relaxing trip, despite the heavy rains that fell the weekend before we arrived. We had a nice room with a lake view and a pair of bluebirds nesting just off our little porch. I tried to get a good picture...but wasn't very successful in my efforts. While there, we spent most of our time at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. We got up close and personal with bison and elk, enjoyed going back in time to a farm set in 1850, hung out with wild animals native to Kentucky at the Nature Center, and took advantage of the indoor pool in the evenings. It was a nice relaxing trip... just what we needed so we came home refreshed with energy to work on berries and landscaping!

I picked my first few quarts of strawberries on Friday...by Sunday there were a few more... and with the start of the work week they are coming on like crazy! They taste so delicious and sweet!! Thanks to Nick, Nancy, and Melvin who are helping me pick all the berries! I hope they don't curse my name by the end of the season!