Kosher Dill Pickling!

     I have been trying to get around to making pickles for days now! I have had some over-sized cucumbers that probably wouldn't taste well eaten raw, so I decided to make them into pickles. I didn't want to throw them away! Today I finally had the opportunity to make some dill pickles! I love dill pickles!
    As much as I would love to completely home-make these pickles, someone created a quick mix and I love that thought! I'm sure home-made dill pickles would take a lot longer!

Hooray for this!

    It will tell you on the back of the bag how to make! So easy! You can even just buy this at your regular grocery store or even wal-mart. I think it's like $3.54 or something. Not the cheapest for a mix, but it saves time for sure!

    You can either slice your cucumbers long ways or slice them into little rounds. Or even if you have baby cucumbers, you can make baby pickles! How cute! Most people have a slicer to make these with, but my old fashioned slicer does not switch the thickness on it and it's far too thin for pickles, so I had to slice with knife.

My slicing job.. worked good enough for me!

Kosher Dill Pickles
7 1/3 Cup water
3 1/3 Cup White distilled vinegar
packet mix

Bring to rolling boil and boil until completely disolved

There were these little seed looking things in there. Not sure if they were supposed to go away or not, but I had boiled for at least 15 mins.

Simply pour in jars that are filled with sliced, or speared cucumbers!

My little 99 cent canning funnel!

    After you pour your liquid over the cucumbers in the jars, be sure to boil your lids for five minutes. Wipe the tops of the rims of your jars and make sure they are clean and then put the lids on! Turn them upside down for five minutes and then turn them back right side up; you should hear some popping going on! That means they're sealed!

Finished product!

    The liquid to pour over the cucumbers was a little more yellow than I expected, but I've already tasted some and they're ggooooddd!

    If you have lots of cucumbers and don't know what to do with them, try this! It's fast, easy, and delicious! (if you're a pickle lover like me!)

    I have wild pears next that I plan on canning. They'll have to be coated in sugar because they are extremely bitter, but they will be good hopefully! I may try and make some pear sauce, or pear preserves, or pear pie filling.. Who knows! Never canned fruit before so it's something new that I will be testing out! Wish me luck! I will have to save that job for another day!


XOXOXO
Lauren

God ALWAYS provides!

    I often catch myself worrying about things way too much. Worrying is like torturing yourself except in a mental way. I even wish that things were different sometimes because of the tough life we all live, but then I have to remind myself that God put me where I am in life. We only struggle sometimes just to make us stronger. I learn from my downfalls and pick right back up.
    Work has been extremely slow lately which has lead me to less labor. I have worked about 3 times in the past two weeks when I normally am a full time worker. (I work in a banquet hall where business is on and off.) I worry and worry about finances constantly, which has lead me to this post. Obviously, since I haven't been working much lately, bills are constantly on my mind. At the age of 21 you would think that it wouldn't be as hard as it is, but I will say that I am proud of the life I have lived because my parents have taught me to be extremely responsible and independent.
    I think all of us worry about finances often, but when the time comes to pay that bill, somehow the money is there. GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES. It's just so weird how this time that I have been out of work ended up around my birthday in which I received money as a gift from some very giving people in my life. Sometimes you just don't realize how generous people really can be until you step back and think about what you have been given. In the end, we have to pay all thanks to the good lord above.
     I remember last semester sitting in my marriage and family class and being taught about money and finances inside marriage. I have worked and worked and worked for a little extra money just to have what I WANT and don't NEED. I learned a lot in that class. We often work overtime and extra hours just to buy the things that we want instead of spending time with the people that matter the most, friends and family. Time is more important than money and using that time wisely is definitely more important than money. I think that sometimes we let the thought of money take over our minds and get too caught up in a selfish behavior. We become very materialistic and don't realize the things that really matter. Is it going to matter what you look like in heaven? Are people going to judge you in heaven? Just ask yourself, do you really need all the finest clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc.
    In the end, I am very thankful for the things that I have been given in life and the struggles that I have gone through. It has only taught me more and more about life. I have to put my faith in God and he will always pull me through! God is so good!
    Just a few pictures to make anyone smile are these three little sweet babies that have recently been a blessing in my family; and of course my sweet brother that I love dearly!

Little Jack! Ready for football; he's a cowboys fan!

Camryn! She is a twin to Jack! She's also ready for football! "I need some pom poms momma!"

and my little Kayleigh bear! She's learning to jibber jabber!

I miss these kiddos so much! I wish I didn't live so far away. It's about a 10 hour drive to Kayleigh and maybe 8 to Jack and Camryn! Sweetest babies alive. My other cousin has one on the way and I am so excited! He lives like 30 mins from me too! :D

My sweet brother!

He will be shipping overseas around October 5th so please keep him and my family in your prayers! I love you, Lane!



XOXOXO
Lauren

UPDATE!!!

Man! I feel like it has been forever since I have been on here. I was doing great for a while and keeping you guys updated at least once every other week, well I see I have slacked off a lot on that. So, in return, here is a major update.

Since I haven't been on here in almost a month and a half, there's lots to update you guys on! This post will probably be a little wishy washy since I'm not focusing on one thing!

In the meantime, I have gone to a baby shower, picked veggies from my garden, gone to Pelahatchie Lake, Went to an old high school football game, made cupcakes for company, and went to a birthday dinner at OLIVE GARDEN!

At the end of August, Justin's family rented cabins out at Jellystone park (Pelahatchie Lake) and stayed the weekend for some fun! We visited out there on a Saturday and had tons of fun! We fished, ate yummies, played goofy golf, rode golf carts, and rode paddle boats! Needless to say it was a fun filled day but ended with some very tired people!

My handsome man out in the paddle boat!

I caught a bass!

Morgan and Trevor on the paddle boat.

On another note, my garden hasn't really impressed me much, or either I haven't impressed it; one of the two. The only plants that have really been loyal to me would be my pepper plants. The Jalapenos and habaneros have produced like crazy. I have gotten a few tomatoes here and there and my cucumbers have been alright. I mainly grew my cucumbers to make pickles. My squash plants did not produce a thing. Funny thing, my bell peppers are just now producing; I guess because it has decided to cool off a little!

Look at all of those peppers!

My high school that I graduated from two years ago (can't believe i'm saying that!) recently played their rivals and of course I had to go. I took Morgan and one of Aidan's little friends. Morgan went to Brandon, so just imagine. Brandon are the rivals! WHOOPS! We had tons of fun and only spent 7 dollars, which was to get into the game! It brought back many of memories and made me wish I were back in high school! YAYYY for a win for Northwest!

What a cool picture!

The Saturday after the football game I woke up early and attended Justin's Aunt's baby shower in Greenwood. It was a late Friday night and an early Saturday morning for me! Me and grandma had a great day and then went out to John and Hollie's for the rest of the day outdoors! We rode golf carts and spent time with family!

Look at all of those presents for baby Olivia! ;)

The table of goodies!

Hollie opening her gifts!

She's such a silly, cute pregnant lady!

Did I mention they are thinking about naming their baby Olivia, which is my middle name! AWESOMEEEE. :p
This past weekend Justin's grandparents came down for a visit, as they always do! Boy do we love them! I made cupcakes for the company!

Aren't these cute little mini cupcakes!

Anddddd finally, Friday night I went out to meet a couple of friends at Olive Garden for a birthday dinner! I hadn't been to Olive Garden in a while! Thankfully I received an Olive Garden gift card for my birthday which paid for my dinner and I have money left for more Olive Garden visits! HOORAYYY!

Such a fun group of people! Our waitress was awesome as well!

Well, this ends for my major update! I hope you all have had as fun as I these past weeks! God sure provides when there is need for anything! [I'll post something later about this] I've been dying for fun outside of school and work and i've sure gotten it!

Love,
Lauren :)