Strawberries!

Sunday, we finally made it to Cottle Farms to pick strawberries. We have talked about going for a few years now, but never quite made it. But Sunday was the day.

We picked a gallon of strawberries and three of us refrained from eating any while we were picking. John couldn't resist eating a small one. I admit standing in the middle of all those plants with that wonderful fragrance it was difficult to refrain from eating them.

Sunday night John cut some of the strawberries for strawberry shortcake. They were delicious! But we still had a little over two quarts left. John asked what we were going to do with them all. Well. I've been wanting to try canning/preserving for awhile and saw this as my chance.

Tuesday, the girls and I made strawberry jam. We had a few snags along the way: too small a sauce pan being used, and a small fire under the burn when the strawberries boiled over. I did move the pot of strawberries to another burner before the flames erupted, so the jam did not burn. And no real harm was done to the stove. By the time we got home from taekwondo that night, John had already eaten half a jar. It is delicious! I think I'm going to have to make more.

However, before we make more I am going to make a few purchases. I'm going to get an actual canning pot with tongs made for jars. And I am going to need a few more jars too, because we plan to give a few jars away.

Allergy testing

Last week I went back to the ENT for a follow-up. The doctor decided we should schedule allergy testing to see just what is going on inside me. Today was the day.

The testing started okay. The first part was putting drops (60) on my arms. That went okay, but itched in a few places. Next came the needles. There was somewhere around 35 (I don't remember the exact number, except it wasn't the 73 some doctors want).

I think she was halfway through the shots when I started getting nauseous. My right hand (shots were in my right arm) started tingling to the point I couldn't bend my fingers. They started fanning me, gave me a cold rag, then some liquid Claritin before I left. It scared me a bit. I thought I was going to pass out luckily I didn't.

The final result is I am allergic to three types of trees, seven molds, three weeds, one grass, dust mites and cockroach mix (in other words their body parts and poo). Awesome. I am starting allergy shots next week.

Ew!

This week has been a total bust! Sunday night both Chloe and I were hit with the stomach bug. Evil thing it is. Horrific barely begins to describe it.

Then Tuesday morning we woke to our master bathroom besieged by hot water. One of the faucets broke and let the water flow. And it flowed right out the bathroom in the master bedroom and closet.

What happened next? That very night the stomach bug found both John and Jesse. The entire house was down.

Now, Friday, we are all beginning to feel more like ourselves. It has been a long ride, longer for Chloe and I, but I think we are finally at the end. And honestly, I hope we don't get that again for quite awhile.