Eat Your Veggies (and Cookies Too!)

Rocky think I am a little strange, but I am so proud of our garden!  I have to post pics of it for you to really appreciate it.

These plants were supposed to be bell pepper plants.  After they started producing peppers, I noticed that they are NOT bell peppers.  After some internet research, I decided they were banana peppers.  Then we ate some.  They are NOT banana peppers.  I have now decided that they are Hungarian yellow wax peppers.  They are spicy.  And I have six of these plants that are starting to produce peppers like crazy.  If you want some, let me know!

We also have TONS of tomatoes.  I, personally, hate tomatoes.  I am apparently going to be making lots of salsa this summer.  What else can I make with tomatoes to can?

Caden insisted on being in a picture.  Next to him is our gigantic zucchini plant.  This monster started out as a sickly looking leaf-looking thing.  I had no idea it was survive and get so big!  I have spotted 2 zucchini so far, with many other flowers budding. 

Our lovely broccoli plants are huge!  We have enjoyed eating our fresh broccoli.  I will be sad when they are finally done.

A sample of they broccoli we ate from the garden.

Caden really wanted to take a picture of his sunflower.  He grew this himself from a seed.  He is very excited to see it get taller than daddy.

With all the veggies starting to produce, I have been thinking of recipes and cooking a lot lately.  I have heard it said that you are either a baker (cakes, cookies, pastries, etc.) or a cooker (main courses, etc.).  I have decided that I am a baker.  I do enjoy cooking, but I do that because I have to.  Baking I do because I really enjoy it.  We would survive if I didn't bake, not so much if I didn't cook.  Rocky is complaining that I am making him fat with all the baking, but I can't help it!  There are 3 three-layer chocolate cake recipes that I am just dying to try my hand at, but I am waiting for autumn and cooler temps.  (I can't really bake in the summer, and I am missing my hobby!)  Does everyone identify themselves as a baker or a cooker?

Slacking

Yes, it has been so long since my last post.  I always think of great things to write about, but then when I finally get on the computer, I forget it all! 
I am enjoying being a homeowner again, however not enjoying all the money that needs to be spent on the house.  I had forgotten how expensive houses can get! 
Our garden is doing quite well.  Although the plants that were supposed to be bell peppers are producing some other kind of pepper.  At first I thought it was a banana pepper.  Then we ate some.  They are definitely NOT banana peppers.  They are WAY too spicy.  Now I am thinking they are Hungarian Wax Peppers.  Still don't know what to do with them all . . .
We have planned a Utah trip at the end of July!  I am very excited to see everyone!  The kids are excited too, and ask everyday if we get to go on the airplane today.  We have 27 days to go!
I have been reading a biography of Queen Victoria.  It is very interesting.  Unlike many royals, she did marry a man she loved, and mourned him for the rest of her life after he died.  But how strange to give birth to children and hand them off to other people to raise them!  Victoria was never a fan of pregnancy and birth, or babies for that matter, but still managed to have 9 of them.  After the first one, she was told the only way to prevent more babies was abstinence.  Apparently, they couldn't do that so they had many children! 
I also watched The Island last night.  It is about a world in which people pay to have clones made.  All these clones live together, but they don't know that they are clones.  One of the reasons people clone themselves is to have babies.   I understand pregnancy is not a piece of cake, but would anyone really clone themselves just to not have to give birth?  I couldn't imagine someone else (even if it were my own clone) giving birth to my children.  It was an interesting movie, a little creepy though. 

Single Mom

Lately, I have felt like a single mom.  Rocky has been working so much.  Here is what the past week has been like:
Last Saturday-work until around 5pm.
Sunday-at home.
Monday (Memorial Day)-work.
Tuesday-home for dinner, but back to work until 1am.
Wednesday-work until midnight.
Thursday-work until about 2am.
Friday-HOME!
Saturday-work (all day, until 7pm)
Sunday-HOME!
Monday-work until how knows when.
Tuesday-work again, probably until 2am.
I am glad there is work, because that means he has a job, but seriously??  I am afraid the kids won't recognize him anymore!  I am just really tired of this.  We never have any time together.  Yes, it can be nice to be able to do whatever I want after the kids are in bed, but usually what I want to do is spend time with my husband.  Believe it or not, after almost 10 years of marriage, I still love him and want to be with him!  Most of all, I want to just talk with him.  He is still my best friend, and I rely on him so much more since we have moved.  In short, I miss my husband.  I just needed to vent for a bit.

Memorial Day Weekend

What a busy weekend!  We had some friends over for dinner Saturday, had the missionaries over on Sunday for dinner, and went to 2 picnics on Monday.  I am exhausted.  The weather here in PA has been way too hot and humid for me.  It really hasn't been that bad, but when we live in a house that is almost 100 years old that has NO air conditioning, it is just too hot. 
We have been feeding the missionaries and lot more lately, basically because the 1st time we had them over they told me horror stories of the places they have had to eat around here (2 week old asparagus, brown floaties in water).  I do feel bad for them.  We have a very small ward.  I counted in sacrament meeting one Sunday, and there were 45 people (including kids).  In relief society, there were 10 (including the presidency), and in primary there are about 9 kids (junior and senior combined).  There is 1 young woman (but she attends the other ward where there are more girls) and no young men.  It was a bit of a shock.  To be fair, we were warned about this when we decided to purchase this house.
On a different note, I watched Little Women last night on TV.  I do love that movie (and book).  I still cry when Beth gets sick, and then again when she dies.  But what a beautiful story of strong women, and the bond between sisters.
I am going to end this post with pictures of the newest member of our family, Tyzon.  Caden discovered him at PetsMart (where they have a spot for shelter animals).  He is the cutest little kitten, and I just love having him.  The kids are also thrilled.  Rocky, not so much.