Are you out there, dear readers?

Hello, blog world.

I stopped posting approximately 30 days ago because I maintain the assumption that the only occasional readers of my creative outlet are contained within my immediate family. When I mentioned said opinion this evening at dinner, a challenge was proposed.

"Offer a jar of homemade strawberry jam to every reader who comments."

So, there it is. If you're a regular reader of Life is S.O. fine, and have actually noticed our brief internet vacay, say so.

Birthday Breakfast (Day)!

fancy party table at Cracker Barrel

happy birthday, sweet girl!

I love you, my little SJO

walking into Cracker Barrel...

seeing everyone for the first time!

she loved her balloons and table decorations

MeMa Debbie & the birthday girl

SJ eating her special 'birthday cake'

snuggling with her MeMa

on to the next fun-stop of the day... downtown Saint Joe!

enjoying the music at the Brown Bag concert at the band shell

MeMa Laurie and SJ watching the water splatter at the fountain

'take my picture, Mom!'

we took a rest and took in the sights on the bluff

on to the Carousel with MeMa Laurie and Papa Al

waiting in line for the Carousel--it's MeMa Laurie's first time!

MeMa Laurie, Papa Al & Schaeffer Jo's ride on Octavia at the Carousel

What a extraordinarily fun day we had! Birthday breakfast has become a treasured tradition--a day that I so look forward to in celebrating my sweet girl each year.

While the logistics of this year were undeniably different--we were in a restaurant, not our home, we still had a wonderful time and made sweet memories. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the family that we're blessed with--and the daughter that God has entrusted Griffin and I with.

wow.

Happy birthday, Winkler kids!

Schaeffer Jo & Eli waiting for the slip-n-slide

MeMa Debbie & Jane

Eli in the splash pool

the 'kid' table

toothy grin

birthday boy

hey you, birthday girl

yummie!

i want it ALL

Hard to believe that my sweet Eli is turning three (which means that my gal SJ is turning FOUR), and that Janey Bean has turned one. Amazing how time flies--especially when you're having fun!

BCYF 2011

did someone forget to feed that goat?

SJ got to give pets to a baby goat

that was only 1 day old

that's one big wheel!

the spinner teddy bear ride

Eli & Schaeffer Jo waiting for the bumble bee ride

the excitement tired Jane out

hey you, fashion model!

Schaeffer Jo & State Representative Pscholka

look out world, it's officer Schaeffer Jo!

sweet pictures, Schaeffer & Papa Doug

smooch!

corndiggity dog

the great green bean factory of 2011

dill & garlic

then the beans

then the hot red Thai chili pepper and the cayenne pepper

then repeat (a couple dozen times!)

After the jars are filled with the beans, they are covered in a vinegar, water and salt brine and processed in a caner for 10 minutes. Then, the hardest part: letting the beans sit for 2 weeks before digging in!

I can't wait to chomp, chomp, chomp on some!