Mama Bird's Nest: July 2012

Monday, July 30

{what is} saving my life? pills

I came across a blog the other day of Sarah Bessey, she posed the question What is saving your life right now? Sadly my current answer would be Ambien.

Yes, I am a total stress box. I can not shut my brain off! I am praying for guidance, stress relief, sleep. I am praying that I don’t make the wrong decision. When I had my son it was the best day of my life but little did I know if I had just had him 2weeks later none of this…

do I send him?

do we wait?

is he ready?

is it better to be oldest?

someone has to be the youngest, right?

DOES it really matter?

Is it obvious that he is my first, my only? Am I nitpicking it all on the eve of gotta make a decision and pay someone? I am not ready to send him. ANYWHERE! We have been together all summer and all last year as I taught preschool and he was there everyday I got to see everything, missed nothing, I am FREAKING out and honestly for you that know me I am SHOCKED that I am feeling this way!!

So as Sarah Bessey asked what is saving my life? Right this moment it’s AMBIEN and it’s kicking in so I am off to hopefully a good nights rest. I will worry about it all again tomorrow.

xoxo, Mama Bird

Sunday, July 29

Best boxes EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I just get an AMEN!!! I am so excited to share with my fellow bakers that BakeABox the LOCALLY made cake boxes are back in biz!! This truly made my night. They re-open and start taking orders on Aug 1st. Yip-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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Live Writer

After my computer blew up I have gone and swiped Tina’s, I mean the woman can’t even ck her email without calling and asking HOW? Thank goodness to have LIVE back, I can not stand posting on blogger the photo tools are non existent, spell check, it all sucks. Wish me luck that the mood swing will not shift the other direction and I can keep this computer until at least I can afford to buy a new one!

xoxo, mama bird

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Mema's Pickles {step by step}

My Memama (mom's mother) used to have shelves and shelves of canned goods in her basement for as long as I can remember, her bread and butter pickles were among my favs! Now that I have cucumbers coming out of my eyeballs I thought I would share her pickles. They rock!!

Mema's Bread & Butter Pickles

Step1: slices oodles of cucumbers and place in large colondar, between every couple of layers of cucumbers sprinkle with canning salt and diced onions; top with ice cubes and place in fridge overnight

Step 2: prepare jars okay, so I am a modern canner and have read all sorts of ideas out there and I place all my jars on a cookie sheet, place in a cold oven turn on; set 350. Once the oven comes to temp allow to "cook" 20 mins turn oven off leave in warm oven until you are ready to pack cucumbers

Step 3: make brine* bring to boil, add cucumbers and bring back up to a low boil

Step 4: fill jars with the cucumber goodness; I prefer to add all the cucumbers, then pour the brine over top

Step 5: after filling wipe around top of jars with a damp towel then place lids on jars, loosely screw on rings and allow to cool on counter and wait for that "pop" sound and you will know they are sealed!

*brine:

5 cups of sugar

5 cups apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons tumeric

1 teaspoon cloves

2 tablespoons mustard seeds

2 teaspoons celery seed

I store my pickles in the door of my extra fridge, in the pantry, anywhere I can find space!! I like to allow them to set or settle for at least a week prior to eating. When we open a jar we tend to polish off the entire jar at one meal! Cut up another cucumber and toss in remaining liquid, toss in fridge and enjoy another quick & easy batch of pickles!