Back to School

So Elvis goes back to school this Monday and Tuesday for some campus planning activities (I think that's just Principal Code for "More time away from your families"), and then the following Monday for real. I have to say that this summer has been WAY too short. Last summer was so bizarre time-wise, between the week in the hospital and then adjusting to life with a newborn, that it seemed to last forever. But this year, I feel like summer school JUST ended, and I've only had a few days to spend with my beloved boys. I guess that's because we've done a lot of little activities. We went to the zoo; we visited my favorite aunt in Houston; Elvis spent a weekend with my dad out at my parents' ranch; we've gone swimming at least 3 times a week. We rearranged our apartment; we've cultivated some wonderful new friendships. We've written stories, and danced, and painted, and made up an album's worth of songs. We've cooked; we've gardened; we've slept in, and we've cheered on our Olympic heroes in London. Elvis and I even got to see a movie one weekend (One of only 2 since Henry was born)! But between all that activity, I don't feel like we've had any time to hang out and be bums. Maybe our hanging-out-and-being-bums days are behind us now. Huh. What a tragic thought.
Anyway, today was the first day of Back to School practice and I just did not feel like I was ready. I did manage to get everyone to bed at a reasonable hour last night (difficult indeed with my night-owl husband), and get the coffee pot pre-loaded. So we got up at 6:15 this morning (BOOOO!) and Elvis hopped in the shower while I walked the dog, made coffee and put his lunch together. Then he left and since Henry was still asleep I had - for the first time in weeks - time to myself! I had to use it to search for my house keys so I could run to the store this afternoon, but still. I'd forgotten how nice it could be to be alone for a few minutes.
We're more than halfway through our first practice day now, and it's been excellent. I really really love being able to stay at home with Henry, and make sure that he's getting the food, attention, clean diapers, and mental stimulation he needs. It's difficult to be "alone" all day, and in charge of the running of the household, but it's also so ridiculously rewarding. And even though I miss some of the little luxuries that 2 incomes provided, I would not give up this time with my son for all the money in the world.

... In a Jam

One of the great things about being married to a teacher is that he has summers off.  Elvis almost always works summer school for a little extra money, and we've taken some pretty awesome trips in summers past.  Last year we had a baby, so we knew that this summer would have be extra-super to top that.  Word came through the grapevine of a giant family reunion in Oregon, and we hoped to take our first family road trip up to meet all our new aunts, uncles and cousins.  Sadly, things did not pan out for us and we were unable to get the trip together.  Who knew that one little baby would make things so complicated?  ;-)  Anyway, since travel and new parenting were not on our agenda this year, we had to think of some way to make this summer awesome.  After much thought, a theme was born: 2012 would be the Summer of Sauces.  We came up with a few specific recipes we wanted to try, and I took the reins.  Elvis and I both enjoy cooking, especially together.  He is a natural whiz in the kitchen, and I usually play the role of sous-chef.  Unless we're baking, and then I get to be Boss of the Kitchen.  But I thought it was high time I brought something to the table other than dessert. 
After lots of discussion (and recipe hunting) I decided strawberry jam would be a great start.  I got some delicious-looking strawberries at the grocery store yesterday, and undertook my first great culinary experiment:

I rinsed and hulled 2 lbs of strawberries (since it was my first attempt I wasn't sure how many to get).

Next, I mixed together 2/3 cup of Splenda and 2 tbsp. of instant Pectin.

Then, I mashed up the strawberries (a few at a time) with a potato masher.  My, that was fun!  I used 1 2/3 cups of this mush for jam, and put the rest aside.

 I added the strawberries to the Splenda-Pectin mixture, and stirred continuously (don't forget to scrape the sides every now and then!) for 3 minutes.

Finally, I poured it all into a jar, and let it set for 30 minutes.  The recipe didn't specify whether to let it set on the counter or in the fridge, so I did the counter.  It didn't set well, so I put it in the refrigerator where it did solidify a little bit better.

Elvis and I enjoyed our delicious jam this morning over homemade waffles.  It was sweeter than I expected (I may experiement with a teensy bit of lemon or lime juice the next time), but oh so delicious.  And the best part, of course, was that I made it all by myself!

The jam was really a success, so stay tuned over the next few weeks for more of my culinary adventures during 2012's Summer of Sauces.  And, once I get a few sauces down, I'm going to tackle canning with the awesome new pressure canner my parents got me for our wedding anniversary.