Running out of Time...

Summer has barely arrived, yet I feel like it is on the downward slide to fall. Where has the summer gone?

I don't typically consider myself an overscheduled person, yet, I am starting to feel like every day is filled with some type of activity/event/meeting, etc. I like having things to do, but do not want to feel so busy that time flies by without me enjoying it. I want to savor the moments, yes, even the crazy times...

So, that is my goal. To ensure atleast one day a week is at home with nothing planned but time with the family....enjoying the little things life has to offer.

Old Friends

I just returned from a quick visit with my good friends, the Girvan's and Huskey/Hernandez families, in Minnesota. I have known Carrie since High School, and Becky and Erik since our days at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Wow, it seems like a life time ago.. amazing how 15 years seems like a life time now. So much has changed since I left Alaska and UAF 13 years ago... and mostly, all for the good.

All of us are married, two of them to each other, and have our own little growing families. Our careers have taken us on very different paths, and yet, our values remained grounded and similar... Even though we get together only every couple years, it is like no time has passed. And, there is something so wonderful about being with those who have known you before.. before we were what we are now: parents, spouses, professionals, stay at home moms, etc. What we are now is good, yet it is comforting to be around those who loved you when you were just a young naive little human... :) it is like putting on your favorite sweater...

I am blessed to have friends like this, and this year seems like I have been able to see a lot of them.

More strawberries...

And to wrap up the strawberry season, we made freezer jam. I found the perfect pectin that requires little sugar and the jam tastes like fresh berries, not like sugar as does so many jams out there..

Then, just for added fun, we made a mixed berry freezer jam with Blueberries and Raspberries... and have begun picking our marionberries.. oh, how i love berry season!!