Summer Berries #1

I for one LOVE fresh berries in the summer. They are just the best. I already made strawberry shortcake(forgot to take pictures)and then when raspberries came I just  had to make some...
RASPBERRY FREEZER JAM!!

I had a fun afternoon with my Gram making four batches, yes count that 1-2-3-FOUR! I took photos to journal  the event.

First the containers...

We are thrifty and just save old containers but you can buy cute little jars if you want. 

And berries of course. We got ours fresh from the farm down the road. Let's just say we lost some on our the way home, so we started with happy tummies. 

 Wash the berries in a strainer and put in food processor. 

Pulse until you have raspberry pulp.

 It should look like this... Measure two cups pulp into big bowl. 

 Stir in sugar (my Gram adds four cups but I think if the berries are sweet then you can add much less) 

After letting it sit for ten minute to get the juices flowing, add pre- mixed Cerlo and 2 T. lemon juice. Stir. 

Pour into your cute little containers and let sit out at room temp for 24 hours. Then freeze! 

Here's to a whole years worth of Oregon Raspberry Jam on toast, biscuits and if your my Pops then on ice cream.

Love and Later
*Megs

The Power of Breakfast

Here on base there is no cooked breakfast. Instead everyone fends for themselves and gets cereal and toast. SO I decided to try to change it up for a day and sure enough i got the go ahead. This morning we made pancakes, eggs and had yogurt and fruit! It was so fun to see how a little thing like breakfast could make a difference. 


It has started to rain here... ALOT! It reminds me of the African monsoons that I washed my hair in, because when the rain comes... it pours! So we are quite thankful for our rain jackets. 


A few things I have learned here... 
nappies= diapers
rubbish= trash
porridge= oatmeal
trolley= shopping cart
We have had such good times laughing as things get misunderstood by our new friends. Last night Rich asked a student how many burgers he had and he replied I have one brother and two sisters. The whole table busted up laughing and we joked about it for probably a good twenty minutes. So good to laugh. This last week was an intense week with the speaker. Many did not see eye to eye. We are praying for this week to be smoother and good relationship between the speaker, students and staff. 


I am missing home a bit. Silly thing- yesterday we were in town. I found Greek yogurt! Mom I couldn't help myself and thought of you :) Also  I picked up "drinking chocolate" while in town. I was so excited for my sweet little treat. Only to find out that their "drinking chocolate" is nothing like ours back home! Crazy! They don't have hot chocolate here... so send away my friends! Hot cocoa to the rescue! :) I miss more than food obviously! Please write or email! Send pictures or write about your lives! I love and miss you all!  


Our Name 
YWAM Oak Ridge
Wairere Road RD 1
Paparoa, Northland 0571
New Zealand


Benjamin is growing fast. I wish my camera was working because I would take a picture of his now very pronounced two bottom teeth! They are so cute! :) I have switched to cloth diapers since we have been here and man does it make for a bulky bottom. He had to go up a size in all his pants! haha! Please be praying for his tummy. He seems to have caught some kind of flu bug. I am sure it will pass but it makes for lots of laundry and a worn out mommy. 


I have to go get the speaker's room ready while Benjamin naps. I will try to blog soon!