strawberry jam {new recipe}

i just have to share this little jewel...i have been making strawberry jam for the past couple of years and just found out this year that you can make low or no sugar jam with a special kind of pectin. i have been a little offset the past couple of years when all the recipes seemed to call for an equal amount of sugar as pureed strawberries. i am sure the store bought kind has just as much if not more though. i still used sugar but may opt for no sugar next year. this has by far been my BEST batch of jam yet. it tastes like real strawberries and has a much better consistency than years past. find the recipe here. it won't disappoint!

feeding the seagulls

we went to southport (a little town near oak island) one day to have lunch and had fun feeding the seagulls afterwards. emma taylor LOVED feeding the birds (like mother like daughter)! even the guys had some fun (see last picture) and luckily didn't get any fingers taken off!

 

 

 

 

 

beach buddies

we had this sweet family join us for the last couple of days at the beach. e.t. loved having her friends there! thanks for joining us!

 

 

 

{Jacob & Emma Taylor i.e. sand buddies}

 

 

{Hudson & Emma Taylor...these two sure could make each other laugh!}

 

 

windblown

while we were at the beach we had 2 days of tropical storm weather...in an attempt to get out of the house yet not be at the beach which was non-existent due to high water levels we went down to the pier. when we got there we saw part of a rescue operation. that day the winds got up to 30 mph! it was a bit ridiculous but fun to watch God's nature!

 

 

 

 

 

 

a family pic {beach 2013}

 

the beach 2013

we're back from the beach. this is our 2nd year going to oak island, nc. we are so thankful to be able to use my oldest sister's beach house for a minimal cost. this year was so different from last. e.t. wasn't even walking when we were there. she was also not so aware of the waves and this year she definitely was. she did NOT like the waves. she was happy enough to play in the sand and have us bring buckets of water to her. I can't believe next year we will have 2 at the beach!

 

 

 

 

love this little bookworm

last Friday I was working on getting the house clean and finishing packing before we headed to the beach. completely unprompted, emma taylor grabbed her baby dolls mattress and a book and set out to "read" while mommy worked. I only snapped one photo before she realized I had the camera.