Maks and his pumpkins

Maks only wanted little pumpkins! October 2013

Kale holding his heavy pumpkin!

Kale and his pumpkin.  October 2013

DIY Dog Shampoo

A few people have asked me what I use for our pets and I told them I would post it. As tonight is dog bath night I was again reminded to post my recipe!  So here it is:

1 cup liquid dish soap (I used Dawn for sensitive skin)
1 cup white vinegar
1 quart warm water

Directions:

1. Mix the three ingredients in a large bowl and then transfer to an empty squeeze bottle (like an old shampoo bottle). Give it a little shake to make sure it is mixed.
 

2. Apply to your doggy just as you would normal shampoo. It is best if you can massage it into the fur and let sit for 5 minutes. My dogs don't mind as long as I keep massaging the shampoo around.
 

3. Rinse dog thoroughly with warm water. Towel dry.

I like the vinegar in this recipe.  Two of my dogs have lots of skin allergies and reactions that causes them discomfort! They always seem to be much better after using this shampoo! 

Happy pet bathing!

1st successful batch of salsa...ever!

Well the garden is not quite producing enough to can yet but I have bought some things at the farmer's market  so today I canned my first jar of salsa (literally one jar).  I have never successfully done this so it was quite an experience.  In order to help myself keep track of the website I am going to share it here I really liked the recipe I found/used.

 Here are the chopped veges before I put them in the processor.  Yellow and red bell peppers, green sweet banana peppers, celery, yellow and purple onions, cilantro (fresh), minced/roasted garlic and probably something else that I am forgetting!

 After the food processor! Cut them small but did it on pulse mode so I didn't end up with juice!

Put everything in the pan to simmer. Added the tomatoes (sorry no photos my hands were too messy to touch my phone)!  Added a big of tomato paste to thicken, vinegar and seasoning (used Ball salsa seasoning because that is good for Kale). Simmered for a bit and then put it in the jar!

  Almost made the perfect amount for my jar. Maybe an extra tomato or two and it would have been at the right place.  It is currently cooling in the fridge! I tried it before I put it in the jar and loved it but salsa is defiantly best cooled!

After successfully completing this I am very excited for the garden to start producing so I can get some canning done!

Maks' 4th Birthday Party Invitations!

Got Maks' birthday party invitations completed today! He decided that he wants to have a Lorax party again this year (that was also the theme for his 3rd birthday).  He and I sat down and looked around online and decided on a format that he liked and I sat out to make something close to it.  I am happy with the way these turned out!  Now I just have to figure out how to print them at a good quality because our good color printer is broken and since I made them in Word I can't save them as an image file to print at a retail store! Grr.

For his presents this year Maks is asking for tall socks, keys and sunglasses!  He is such a unique little boy and we wouldn't have him any other way!