Lovely weather

This is how I spent most of yesterday afternoon: sitting on my front porch and knitting.  The weather was lovely and warm, but not too warm.  I could smell flowers blooming and see bees flying around.  It was a beautiful break.

Then I had lunch, and pulled out one of our jars of elderberry jam.  We (when I say "we," what I mean is "everyone except for me") picked elderberries about 2 years ago.  Jared & I juiced them and made lots of jam.  And because my mother taught me well, I labeled the jar lids "10-2011" and "elder" because "elderberry" wouldn't fit.  Then I had to go do something not in the kitchen, and when I got back, Jared had finished labeling the jars.  Only he was more creative with his labels:

yep, that says "deacon."  There were several other jars with interesting labels, too**:  "sister," "high priest," and "teacher." I love my husband!

Oh, and the jam is excellent, of course.

Also, a bit of a brag on my kids.  First, W.  He's kept a 4.0 for the first 3 terms of 9th grade.  If all goes as expected, he should finish out 4th term with a 4.0 as well.  Monday night we attended a "honors award ceremony" and he got a certificate and his picture put in the paper.  Hooray!  He's worked very hard this year to earn those grades, and we are all proud of the effort it took.

M had two pieces of artwork on display in her school's "Hot Arts Festival."  She is becoming an excellent artist, and was thrilled to see her work included in the display.  I am so excited to see her get this recognition!

H just finished a "mini-society" in his classroom.  He and 2 friends figured out what they wanted to sell at their business, made flyers and coupons and a store-front sign, and then made the products they sold.  H says they did very well :) and I'm proud of his hard work and cooperation.

Jared is training hard this month.  And I am knitting lots of things, and trying to remember to water the garden.


** an "elder" is the title we give to our male missionaries. it has a rank in the priesthood, so men can also be elders without being missionaries.  the women missionaries are titled "sister."  "high priest," "deacon," and "teacher" are all ranks in the priesthood as well.