Simple. Natural. Love.: family

Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Thursday, August 11, 2011

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

BLOG MAKEOVER!

This blog has had a serious lull and needs a face lift. So here's to new beginnings. Since we are back in the states and settling in I figured a new name would be appropriate...

Simple. Natural. Love.

Be patient as I rearrange and design a few things :)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Belated Blog: Rich's First Father's Day

This is so late... But we had such a wonderful father's day. We drove about 30 minutes to Pahi Beach, home of the largest fig tree in the southern hemisphere. Here are some pictures of our great day!

My friend Kayla and me hanging out in the tree

Rich and Isi way up in the tree...

So Kayla and I had to try

Perfect little family of three!

Benjamin turns 1!!!

Benjamin is ONE!!

What a great day we had as I spent the day with my mom getting ready for his party. He had his first cream cheese and apricot jelly sandwich. So fun to be back with family for his big day even if I was still a bit jetlagged!

His birthday night we had a SPIDERMAN theme birthday! Spiderman masks, tshirt, plate and bowl, balloon, banner, table cloth.... you know the works( me and Grammy might have got a little carried away ;)

The night was so fun since it was the first time my brothers and all our families were together since we got home from New Zealand. So wild to see our kids get to play together.

Avery loves Benjamin!So sweet!

He liked to opening presents...

But not as much as the cupcake which he swiftly crammed straight into his mouth!

A birthday well spent!

Friday, July 8, 2011

A long awaited update.

As some of you know Rich and I are back in the States.

Our time in New Zealand was amazing but was not short of complications and hardships. We came home after feeling as if we could not stay under the leadership that we had been working with. Our visions for the ministry at the Oakridge base were vastly different. As we tried and hoped to merge those visions over the past four months we found that is was a constant and uphill battle, so we have gone our separate ways.

We greatly thank all of you who have walked along side us and supported us as we have reached for our dreams. We have made lasting relationships with the students and know that we went for a purpose and reason. If you have any further questions for Rich or I feel free to email us.

As for right now we are in Portland and trying to adjust to life back in America. We are soaking in time with family and friends as we put together the pieces of what we have learned.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Adventures of Benjiboy #4

I am getting so big and growing so fast. Mommy has to start buying me some new big boy clothes. She says it makes me look like a big boy. But that is because I am getting to be such a big boy.

I can crawl up all of the stairs in my house now. I am getting closer and closer to walking but I am taking my time figuring it out. There is so much to look at that I tend to get distracted. I love to climb on things.

There is a room here that is big and empty except for a bunch of bean bags. I love it! I am figuring out my hands now too. I can use my fingers to pick things up. I clap now too.

Grammy and Auntie Andrea asked for pictures of my curly hair. These are right after my bath. Mamma squeals and kisses me so much. I think she likes me.

I got to be going now.

*BENJIBOY*

My first Mother's Day!

So odd to have had mother's day not only away from my mom but then to have a little one to be a mom to! It was a very low key day. All the students were gone on their free weekend and so we have a quiet morning on base. Benjamin was such a happy boy and gave me loves all day. Here are some pics from our little family playing in the field.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is the birthday of a man who means so much to me. Who is an incredible influence on the woman I have become today. Who continues to bless me and I am beyond thankful for!

So dad--- 51! You are the youngest 51 year old I know.

Multnomah Falls before I left for Africa

Cancun

Walking me down the aisle!

4am after Benjamin was born!

Frozen pond trip to feed the ducks

Drinking Chocolate

You inspire me to stay fresh each day.

To keep a young heart even in the chaos of life.

To laugh.

Eat good food :)

And to love fully.

I love you dad!
Your Megan Sweetie

ROADTRIP!

As many of you know Rich and I LOVE a good roadtrip so what could be bette than a roadtrip in New Zealand!!

This weekend we headed down to another YWAM base in MataMata( about 4 hours south of Oakridge). Our whole staff went for a YWAM NZ gathering. A wonderful gathering of staff from all the five bases in New Zealand. Somehow in all the planning on travel arrangements it worked out that our little family got our own car for the trip! Woohoo family time! It was so amazing to drive through the beautiful country side, listen to good music, with the company of my love and my little man chatting in the back seat.

We got to the base and had a great time meeting people from all different bases. I loved getting to hear about all the things that YWAM is doing in New Zealand. It was great to feel some new life and fresh warmth. We really connected with some cool people.

After the conference we went into the town of Mata Mata. An adorable place that is known for the Hobbiton film set in the Lord Of The Rings movies. We had fun and I was a total tourist. Here is a lovely and lengthy group of pictures of our fabulous time!

This is Janet. She and her husband Stuart hosted Rich back when he was hitchhiking New Zealand after his DTS. They are incredible people.

Waiting for lunch...

My boys in the old swimming pool building.

The gathering. Listening to John Dawson speak.

The Mata Mata YWAM base

Firth Tower- it is old and awesome- wikipedia it!

Benjamin LOVES to go on his daddy's shoulders

I mean seriously LOVES it!!!!

So this is at the Hobbiton booking center... since it costs like 80 bucks to go to the actual tour I settled for this awesome shot and dream of the real doorways :)