Laura Lou turns 24.

Cat's sister Laura (Lou) visited CatMatt for her bday weekend, which means all celebrated for three days straight. Spectacular.

First, Cat and Laura had some girl time in Indy ... at local favorites Shapiro's and Iaria's.


Back in Lafayette, the celebration continued with grilling, game-playing, and sitting around a fire in the backyard.


The weekend included a visit to The Checkerboard (any doubt?), which was in particularly true form that evening, according to CatMatt.


Post-Checkerboard.


Come back, Laura Lou!

Adventures in canning, pt 2: Jam

Prepping. First, there's a *bit of sugar in homemade strawberry jam. Second, also needed: pectin and strawberries.


Mashing strawberries with a potato masher is pretty fun. Then,there's cooking and a lot of stirring.


After canning and resting, and finally, gussied up.

*see: massive amount.