Lasts

It was a normal doctors appointment until the very end when he said, "Well, I guess this is the last time I'll see you."
Wait a minute. WHAT?
Last time. It totally knocked my off balance. I have been thinking about the move from the perspective that I'd visit, skype, facetime, and facebook with loved ones. I have accepted that it would be different but there is no finality in relationships changing.
It hit me like a ton of bricks this week that it would be the mundane and familiar that might be the hardest thing to adjust to. What is normal for us will never be again.
This is the part of moving literally half-way around the world that scares me the most. Giving up my normal, familiar things. Being in a place that nothing is familiar is the part that I have rarely thought about. But as the day gets closer, I am really feeling the nerves about it.
I know I will find a new normal and a new familiar. I know that this adventure is right where my family is supposed to be.
Man, I am not looking forward to the lasts that are coming over the next 5 weeks. But with every last, there will be a first to come. God is good like that!

Peach Preserves

So, I didn't know there was a difference between jelly and preserves. I have been educated. After 9 hours of preserve making, I feel well educated. But if one is to be educated on preserve making, my Granny is a master teacher and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn.

When we found out that it was customary and good manners to bring a small gift when invited to someones home for a meal when we are overseas, we began searching for an idea for what we could bring from Georgia that might be a nice offering. We know that being the 'new kids in town' we would need a lot of whatever it was we decided on and I wanted it to be something cool.

While explaining my predicament to family my cousins had the greatest idea - Peach Preserves! Because who doesn't know about a Georgia Peach?

So my adventure in preserve making began.....

First I gathered the ingredients:

1 Batch

3 lb. peaches / 4 cups chopped / 9 peaches

5.5 cups sugar

1 box Sure Jel

1 lemon

1/2 T butter

You must make them one batch at a time. When making preserves you can't double a batch or you'll have a mess.

We got the peaches from Lane's. They were the first batch harvested of the season, which I have been told is the best for making jellies, preserves, and for pickling. Though why someone would pickle a peach is beyond me. 

I had my trusty kitchen helper begin to wash all of the jars and lids.

We put them in a big pot of water to boil. As we got through several batches, I came to realize, it was a good idea to have two pots going at a time. That way while you were using the set of jars you just boiled, you could be boiling another batch.

Peal and chop 4 cups of peaches and place in a large saucepan

Squeeze 1 lemon and stir into peaches.

Measure 5 1/2 cups of sugar into a separate bowl. The sugar has to be added later and all together quickly, so it is important to have it measured and ready to dump in.

To the peaches, add 1 box of SureJel and 1 Tbsp. of butter. The butter keeps the peaches from foaming up when you cook them.

Cook on high, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are at a rolling boil (boiling even when you are stirring). Then add all of the sugar and mix in quickly, being sure to scrape down the sides of the pot, so as not to lose any possible sugary goodness! Then stir constantly until the peaches reach a rolling boil again. When they do, set a timer for EXACTLY 1 minute and stir, stir, stir. Word to the wise, the stuff pops worse than bacon. I don't know why, I just wish I had been wearing armor. I hate being popped with hot liquid, I don't care what it's for.

After a minute move the peach mixture off the heat completely.

Now remove one jar at a time, fill it to the bottom of the threads (the things that allow the lids to screw on).

It is good to have an aid in getting jars placed on my plate for me to fill and for scooping out lids and rings!

Be sure to wipe the rim of the jar off with a wet paper towel before you place the lid on. If some of the preserves accidentally splashes on there, the lid won't seal.

Then screw on the ring and place upside down for 5 minutes and then upright again. Turning them upside down allows the hot preserves to help the lid stay warm enough to seal properly. Once the jars have been turned upright, you will start to hear the jars 'pop'. That means they have sealed.

I have made hand-written labels that say, "Georgia On My Mind" to put on the jars. I also bought a floral patterned peach fabric to cut to place around the top. 

Viola! 72 homemade gifts for all of our future friends. 

And of course a few large jars for us to have a taste of home from time to time!

One Batch filled 15 4oz. Jars or 7 8oz. Jars

Mom Watching

I’ve realized a stark truth about myself recently:

I am not just a people watcher, I’m a people analyzer. I don’t want to just know what people do; I want to know who they are. I want to know why they do things, what their motives are, and how they came to be so ‘weird’. And I always find things I want to emulate.

So with that in mind, as I am about to celebrating my 13^th Mother’s Day, I want to say a few thank-yous.

Thank you to all the mothers who had moments of parental greatness while I was around. I didn’t say anything about it at the time, I much prefer to sit back and dissect the moment, but I promise I noticed. Because I noticed - it changed me just a little bit and helped make me a better mom.

Also, thank you for not always being so great. I dissect those moments too. Not in a judgey, I could totally do it better way. I just see it all as pieces of a huge puzzle that makes you human and normal. And I feel better because I’m human too.

Thanks to the mom who takes so many opportunities to encourage your kids to be kind. You have made me more aware of the need every child has to be included and the responsibility I have to guide my girls’ to show kindness, even when it’s not a special occasion.

Thanks to the mom who seeks teachable moments and takes the extra minute to encourage your children’s hearts to search after God. You have given me the words that have empowered me to try to do the same.

Thanks to the mom who is super fit and always active with your kids. You inspire me to get off my lazy tail and play with my girls. You are a reminder of the example of health I want to give my girls and the mental push I need to keep trying until I get there.

Thanks to the moms that make the cutest things and always have your kids so put together and adorable. You remind me that the details matter and that a special touch from me is needed every once in a while.

This list could go on and on…. My point is this: If you mother around me – Thank You! I am learning from all the amazing things you do. Your strengths inspire me. Don’t worry about your weaknesses – God gave your children to you because they need what you are. I know the verse in Proverbs about iron sharpening iron is generally used in reference to men; but you guys keep me sharp and on my toes.

I hope you all have a fantastic day. You deserve to be celebrated!