Packing

We've started packing up our apartment to move to downstairs in less than a month. I'm excited about the new apartment, but not at all excited about having to move. True, it's not very far, but it's still going to be a pain. I keep kicking myself that we didn't look at the first floor apartment a year ago. We had the option to. But we were having such sticker shock from the unexpectedly high rental prices in Madison that even the extra $100 per month seemed huge. We thought we were being so good by not looking at it so that we wouldn't like it better and we wouldn't be tempted to rent it because it was more expensive... Well, hindsight is ever perfect, I suppose. One of these days it would be nice to not have to move every year.

Jam

I feel so very domestically accomplished when I make jam. The sounds of the lids popping as they seal is exquisitely satisfying. Canning in general always feels like an accomplishment. I took these berries that I picked and made them into something that I can tuck away in my cupboard and pull out in the middle of the winter to eat. And it's yummy.

I love that we have raspberries in the back yard. What an unexpected gift, to be able to pick a handful of berries as I get home from work each day. Without having to plant them or really tend them at all.