More Than One Way to Skin a Cat

I have always heard that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I guess there is also more than one way to get fruit from a tree! I suppose my husband is either quite trusting or just plain dumb but either way he survived this pear picking expedition. Earlier today, Daddy drove the tractor while Bob picked the pears and apples. Boys and their toys!!!

Bob wasn't going to pick the apples because he didn't think I would do anything with them. He is now glad that he did. Within a few hours of picking the apples, I had turned them into apple juice and then turned the juice into jelly. I made Candy Apple Jelly. It is quite good if I do say so myself. Bob liked it so well that he is going to pick more apples but I think he is going to use a ladder this time.

We didn't have time or energy to do anything with the pears this evening. I guess I will be making either pear jelly or pear butter tomorrow evening and more apple jelly later this week.

I know the pics aren't the most flattering of the boys, but their way of picking the fruit is one that has to be seen to truly believe.

First Day of School

Shelby started kindergarten this year. She was so excited her first day and thankfully still is! She was nervous her first day and asked what to do if she got scared. I told her to pray and ask God to help her be brave. I also told her she had to "pull up her big girl panties and just do it." After school the first day, Shelby announced, "I don't have to pray to God anymore!" She said that she got a little scared and said a prayer and it worked. The next morning on the way to school, I saw her saying a little prayer. She said that she wasn't praying to be brave but that she wanted God to help her make a friend because she didn't the first day. That prayer was answered maybe a little too well. Shelby has already been getting in trouble for talking too much in class.

I had such big plans for a first day of school outfit for her. I even had the fabric washed, ironed and hanging near the sewing machine. I put off making it a little too long. Less than a week before school started, I got a call to go to work. Thankfully, it was at the school where I had decided to send Shelby.

I am teaching third grade there this year. I spent everyday including long hours on the weekend getting the room ready. I didn't have time to make the outfit and still haven't. I will eventually get it done.

The pictures are of Shelby on her first day at the end of the school day. She was still excited but very tired.