Berries, Berries, Everywhere...And A Few Tears

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted. I have worked about 5 days at my new job and I love it!!! I will get to visit some families who are migrant farm workers and will be able to practice my Spanish skills. People around here seem to think it is pretty funny that my name is Bonita but I don't speak Spanish.




Last week I visited my family in Illinois and we made 5 batches of jam: blueberry/raspberry, blueberry, triple berry, blueberry apricot and strawberry.



If you're looking for a great cookbook for making jams, jellies and preserves, check out Gourmet Preserves by Chez Madelaine. We made the Blueberry Raspberry Preserve recipe which was more labor intensive than the other batches but it's very yummy!

We spent the weekend at the 50th anniversary celebration of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, IL. The church has weathered 50 years of demographic changes in the community and racial tension within the church -- especially in the late 50's and early 60's. Although there are pieces of church history that some might rather forget, Community Mennonite has sustained itself through difficult times and remains a place where people who may look different on the outside can worship together and serve the community with joy. They are my family and it always feels like home when I return. It was an emotional weekend of laughter and tears with old and new friends and such a blessing for the 150+ people who attended. Check out my childhood friend's blog for a picture of me with 2 of her adorable children on the weekend. I may post other photos later but I used an ancient camera that takes film...remember film?

The Busy Knitter

Well, since I haven't started my job yet I have been very busy knitting! I finished a pair of cotton baby slippers using a pattern from Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor. I used a wonderfully soft yarn from KnitPicks called Shine Sport.

I also went to a nearby church. It is a Unitarian Universalist church. Does anyone know anything about them? Today's topic was "Being Alone Together" based on a chapter of the book A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer. It was an interesting discussion, and I think I will go back, but I left there feeling like I still needed to go to church. There was no prayer or talk of God, which was strange to me. They talked today about the soul and the idea that our soul is in perfect form when we are born and throughout our lives it tries to call us back to that state. I imagine I'll go back again. During the summer they have a different format than the rest of the year so it could be a very different experience starting in the fall. I think the members have varying beliefs about God, religion, and spirituality. One misson of the church, as near as I can tell, is to support everyone in their search for the truth. They are big into peace and justice and service to the community and those are all things that I can support.

Pumpkin Hat

I finished Cheyanne's poncho...picture to be added later. I also made a pumpkin hat which I hope to make more of and sell around here in the fall. I used Patrick's Pumpkin pattern from Fiber Trends. It was fun to see it take form!

Somewhat Employed

I finally found a job! Okay, so it is just part-time, but it is definitely a good job and one that I think I will enjoy. I'll get to work with kids birth-age 5 and their families and make home visits...everything that I look for in a job! Now I just need to find another job so I can afford my own place again. Having one job figured out definitely makes me feel better and I'm excited to start!

Pretty Things

I've been helping my brother and sister-in-law unpack boxes at their new house. They have lots of space, especially now that I'm not living in their basement. The girls have enjoyed exploring the house and it is right down the street from a creamery where they serve ice cream! We had a bit of excitement when it started to pour rain and the van windows were down but Rodney and Carmina weren't home. My mom and I quickly wrapped all the windows in 3 rolls of plastic wrap. Sorry, no photo.

I'm back at the cottage and had a job interview today. I'm also working on my current knitting project which is a light purple (actually "wisteria") poncho in Shine Worsted cotton yarn from Knit Picks. It is for Cheyanne to wear to first grade in the fall. I showed it to her and she said it is "too soft." She's very particular about how things feel, so I hope she'll wear it when I'm done.


I also have to share photos of an old quilt that is at the cottage. I have always loved this quilt. If I recall correctly, it was in the cottage when my parents bought the place in the early 70's so we don't know who made it. My mom reminded me that my first boyfriend and I used to fight over it when we'd stay here.

It has so many tiny, colorful squares that I imagine were scraps of fabric that had been used to make other things. I wish I could tell the person who made it how loved it has been.

Eating Food From the Side of the Road

I had to stop at the side of the road today so my mom could jump out and pick some elderberry blossoms. She just fried them up with a fritter recipe then dipped them in maple syrup and they tasted quite a bit like pancakes. I wasn't so sure but, when she reminded me that they aren't like eating cicadas, I tried them. The kids loved them.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

I just realized that it has been quite awhile since I've included a recipe on my blog. I supposed it is to be expected, with my recent move and all, but I have been cooking. I have also been making frozen treats! I have to recommend an entire book this time: The Ultimate Ice Cream Book by Bruce Weinstein. I can also heartily recommend the Cuisinart ICE-30BC 2 Qt. Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet and Ice Cream Maker. It doesn't use salt and you can make ice cream on your kitchen counter! This week I made the Raspberry Ice Cream...yum! We also really like the blueberry sorbet (especially in our smoothies) and the Chocolate "Lower-Fat" Ice Cream. The recipes are a bit cumbersome the first couple of times until you get the hang of the process but the results are quite tasty!