Feeling Accomplished

With everything said and done. I ended up with 49.5 quarts of tomato puree out of 2 bushels. 1 quart jar of dehydrated yellow peppers from about 1/4 bushel. 1.5 quarts of Sweet Hungarian peppers dehydrated from 1/2 bushel and a pint of dehydrated green peppers from 6 average peppers. I was also able to get 6 bags in the freezer of 28oz each of pumpkin puree. That came from 17 pie pumpkins.

Not sure if I'm going to do anything else. But I know for this week I'm done. With yarn projects on the hooks and house cleaning to do. I think its still going to be a busy weekend!

Shared at:

Yart

Causualty of Canning

The sweet potatoes are officially done... 30 quarts, would have been 31 but as you can see one just didn't want to make it.... So it gave up the ghost! 56 jars done for this year so far. And only 1 broken.... The odds aren't to bad. I just hate seeing all that food wasted. I don't think I will end up with as many jars next year.... As I will be able to use my chopper to make the pieces smaller.... Couldn't use it this year because it made way to much noise and Grim is sleeping during the day. 

I will however be using for the white potatoes that still need to be done. I have 1 bag for baking that will stay in the basement and the other I need to finish canning.... The problem is that they are great potatoes and I am such a potato eater in the fall..... that the bag is starting to dwindle.... Guess we'll have to go and get another big bag.

I still haven't started on the sauerkraut.... Time just hasn't been on my side. I did manage to get my crook and cutter out of the basement.... I need to get them cleaned and as long as all monsters go to school I will start in the morning. Honestly, I think I had better finish.....

This weekend is turning out to be more active then I normally like. Saturday starts off with me taking Band monster to practice, home to get Mouthy, off to get the chicken an hour away, hope to be home by 2 as I have a hair repair / tame the unruly locks, back home by 4:30-5 to possibly see lawyer to sign papers, then to church (long story for another time), pickup Band monster from school after competition, finally get home to fall into bed around 11. Sunday really is no better.............. When can I sleep in?!?

I really shouldn't complain to much Band is done and over with the first weekend in November and I get a whole month off before Varsity Bowling starts. I should take a picture of my calendar ...October is so full I can't write another thing and November barely has anything.

Yart

Another Busy Weekend

Here are some of the sweet potatoes that I was able to can up. I would have gotten a ton more done this weekend...... BUT!

You know how much I hate BUT..... 

Well, let me tell you how my weekend went.

I took Band monster to practice Saturday morning. I got home and thought I needed to spend some time on the computer before we had to go to bowling.... Not a bad plan, huh?

I'm at the computer for about 10 minutes when I hear a car door slam.... I think nothing of it as my neighbors are out of town and have a friend checking on the house. Then I'm scared out of my chair by..... BANG, BANG, BANG on the front door.

I get up and go to the door and when I open it my first words are what did they call on me for now? The ordinance officer is on my porch.... This is a man that I have dealt with several times over the last few years.... So from my greeting he says I'm sorry I have to bother you, BUT.... here it is again.... BUT I need to give you this warning about your trailer.... It has to be moved. It hangs over the sidewalk and even though you were smart enough to paint it a bright yellow so everyone can see it.... Someone riding a bicycle in the wee hours of the morning almost hit it and then called me. So I said jokingly, if they almost hit then they know its there now and they can avoid it.... LOL! He laughed! After about a half hours talking he left with my word that the trailer would be moved.

With my warning in hand.... I called my brother to help get the thing out of here and over to my mom's!

We didn't get it moved until Sunday but it is now safe and secure and not hanging on the sidewalk.... 

Needless to say I didn't get what I wanted to get done this weekend because I had to deal with that.... Sooooooo, tonight we will be making sauerkraut! Over the summer I found a large cabbage shredder at a yard sale for $10.... I can't wait to use it.... I have in the past used my mandolin, though I didn't really like the size of the cut cabbage, I made it work. I need to get it and the crook up here so I can scrub them both down... Don't want any bad bacteria forming.... That would just be gross!

Well, I'm off to find something to do.... like that should hard..... LOL!

Hugs,

Yart

I've got the beet!

I pressure canned them at 11 pounds pressure for my area for 35 minutes... They're not pickled...Ewww, Pickled beets! LOL! I just like mine plain! I love using the chopper thing... It makes nice little squares and I don't have to cut them by hand... Yeah! Off to do potatoes.

Yart

Canning Newsletter

The ladies over at Creative Chicks post this yesterday. And since some of you might not follow them I thought I would share the information.

The University of Minnesota has put all of their Home Food Preservation Newsletters on-line. They can be found here. http://www1.extension.umn.edu/food-safety/home-food-preservation-newsletter/

Right now there are 5 newsletters to read through.... Even if your a seasoned vet when it comes to canning there might be something in here to learn! ;o)

Yart

42 Degrees

That is how cool it was this morning. It doesn’t look like it is going to get much warmer at night any time in the near future. Autumn is making a grand show of itself this year. Grim needed to know when we turned the furnace on last year. Good thing I blog about most everything. We didn’t turn it on until November. The only reason I turned it on was because it was 28 that morning… LOL! I told him had we had a little wood burner I would have waited. But it was just to cold in the morning for showers without some type of heat. I need to go and see if there is going to be another freeze your buns off challenge again this year!

I didn’t get to the pear until today. I juiced them in the steam juicer and strained out the pulp. I had 3 cups of pulp that I turned into Almond Pear Sauce (3~12oz jars). Plus, the 11 cups of juice that I will be making syrup out of later tonight (9 pints). So now it is officially done. At least the Pears. I still have the two bushels of apples. I should be able to get 1/2 to 1 full bushel done tomorrow! It will all be made into sauce and maybe some butter. But here are the recipes I used today.

Almond Pear Sauce

3 cups of pear pulp

1/2 cup pear juice

3/4 cup of sugar

1 tsp of Almond extract

Heat, jar and water bath for 20 minutes per pint 25 minutes for quart

Pear Syrup

11 cups of pear juice

11 cups of sugar

Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.

Jar and water bath for 10 minutes

Remember to always check with the National Center for Home Food Preservation first before you try any recipe to see if it is safe. The rules change all the time. So it is better to be safe then sorry.

Yart

Processing

I was able to get all the raspberries processed. 7 ~ 12oz jars and 5 pint sized jars! With all the jellies and the other jams. I think we will be all set for the upcoming winter. I see a ton of jelly rolls and waffles in our future… LOL!

After I take Teenage monster to practice I will be come home and get the rest of the pears juiced / cooked down. A few more jars of pear butter won’t hurt to have in the pantry. I think I am going to make pear syrup with the juice this time.

Thursday I will get the apples started. I was going to do it tomorrow but Grim will be home, doctors appointment. Nothing serious, just a check of his shoulder. And if it doesn’t rain I will be out cutting the grass. Hopefully, that will be the last time this season. With all this hokey weather it stayed green and growing all summer.

Next payday I will be going and getting a 50 pound bag of potatoes to can up. I still have enough carrots from the last two years that I don’t need to do them. I think I would like to do more tomatoes. I don’t feel like I did enough this year. You never know maybe one more bushel.

I will also have to check the one farmers stand that I go to should have peppers for like 12 @ $1, at this time. I also need to get some squash to put in the cellar. I will wait till closer to Thanksgiving to get the yams, for storage. I think I might even try to can some of those up this winter also.

I’m still trying to clean out the freezers. What a chore. Good thing I only have one big and one little. It is going to take me a couple months to get it finished. As long as it is done by the time Grim brings home a deer or two, we will be fine. Not complaining, just stating the facts… LOL! I have 3 giant turkeys that need to be cooked up. Can’t wait for turkey broth. I love the stuff! I cooked a ham on Labor day. Grim and the monsters love that!

Yart

Lots to Talk about

With the way things went this summer Grim and I have decided to get the basement walls fixed up. Then we will fix all possible entry ways into the yard to keep out the damn r*ts. That way I will rebuild the garden to something that works better for us. When we built the garden 3 years ago, I went off of what I thought would work. And it did work, but it didn’t really suit our needs. I had the 12 4x4 raised beds. This time we are going to build 1 24x6 raised bed in. I will also be able to add the the drip irrigation. Cutting the grass will be so much easier…. or I might just build a walk way all the way around and not have to worry about it at all.

All of the herbs died, as did all the blueberry bushes. My mint and chives have held their own. The lavender should be ready to start harvesting next year. The grapes grew this year but not one grape did we get to eat. They never turned to purple. And yes, I did buy purple grapes, Grim asked the same question. Maybe it is still to early. I will be looking for borage to plant for next year…. so if anyone has any seeds that they would like to part with please let me know.

I am working with a lion brand yarn right now to make Teenage monster a scarf to match her varsity jacket. Once I am done making it I am going to get more of this wool and make hot pads. It is the thickest, softest yarn ever. The color is Claret, it is a deep wine color and her jacket is a burgundy. They seem to go good together. I may never have to make more hot pads once these are finished.  LOL! I also need to get my butt in gear. I bought yarn last year to make a crocheted blanket and haven’t done it yet. Good thing fall is on its way.

Well, since it seems Picky monster has hidden my sugar I have to wait till they get home from school to make the raspberry jam. I need to get that done tonight so that the berries don’t go bad on me. This is the first time in years I have picked fall raspberries. I think I like them better then summer ones. But then again next year I could have a change of heart… LOL! Yep, you guessed it I’m fickle! I also need to get the rest of the pears cooked down and started on the apples. I think that pears and apples will be waiting until tomorrow though.

Today ended up being a run around type of day. Took the monsters to school, then had to pick my mom up at the shop and take her home. Then had to take Grim’s car into the shop…. brand new and one of the pieces of trim fell off. I also had to go to the post office because my mailman was late getting here Friday and then when I went Saturday they were already closed. But I have my package and I have already started on my “Introduction to Natural Wellness” course. I think I will be done sometime in November. I have read the first unit, but I need to go back and take notes and flash cards. The test for unit one seems very straight forward.

Yart

Never a Dull Moment

First let me say I did not get pictures. I had my hands full.

It is finally bearable outside. So off I go to water the garden. I figure that even though it was a warm day not super hot my plants needed a drink. Good think I went out there. I water 3 of the beds and go to water the fourth. And to my surprise, yep I yelped.... there was a robin trapped in the netting I put around and over the strawberries. I called for Grim. We were able to get a hold of the bird and he cut out a huge section of the netting. The poor thing once caught twirled itself around, so Grim had to cut the netting string by string as I held it. The whole time praying that I wouldn't break something or accidentally kill it. And of course two of the monsters were right there watching.... No pressure! We were able to completely free it. Once I let it go it was able to fly to the fence... It didn't put any weight on the foot. But that's ok, it can fly... Job well done.... and the netting is gone. It was suppose to keep them out not trap them.

I got my first batch of jars washed out yesterday. I still have a lot more to do. These are the remainder of the first year canning adventures. With each success, I made more and more. Yep, just a little compulsive... LOL! It is bittersweet. I hate to see all the food wasted, but I'm glad that I had it in the first place. We ate quite a bit out of the pantry while Grim was laid up. I have a better idea now what works for us and what doesn't. This year I think will be an easier year. I have the steam juicer. I can't wait to start canning again. Yummm!

Oh, I have some exciting news. Last year I got a warty pumpkin... You know the kind Judy... They are french.... ohhhhh lala. Anyways, while I trying to prepare them, my pyrex blew up in the oven.... So I never even had a chance to try one. But I was smart and saved the seeds. Since I have never saved seeds and used them, these were the Guinea pigs so to say. I planted a handful of seeds in each of the 4 holes. I didn't count as I really didn't think I dried them right (so nothing was going to grow anyways, right?) Wrong, I have 14 plants, I am scared to thin them as they all look so healthy. Remember half-a$$ed gardener here. Mind you they are all in a 4x4 raised bed. I know your shaking your head laughing cause you all know what is going to happen.... right around harvest time these plants are going to eat me... LOL! One day I will tell you about my first garden. It put me on the path to never garden again. I figure my yard is going to be completely over run and I will have 18 thousand pounds of pumpkins..... and seeds galore to dry and give away.

On to other news from the garden. I really do have grapes growing. I have only had the vines for 3 years and have never seen grapes start out itty bitty. They start out like a little cluster of green pods.... tiny though.... then those pods turn into a type of flower again very small. Then the flower fades and there are these very small green round ends.... sorry I have no idea what any of the technical terms might be. There is very little information on line for grapes at this stage. The blueberry plant that I bought this spring has a ton of berries growing. The other two I have had are just growing, no sign of berries, maybe they are late bloomers. Almost forgot I got a fig when I bought the blueberry. It has two little pod things.... I don't know if they are flowers or if they are the fruit. Will keep you updated on this. All of the pear blossoms fell off and died, except for one. Keeping fingers crossed. My apples all look like something attacked them. They have small scratch looking marks on them. Like I said before I am in no way a master gardener.... half the time I wouldn't even consider myself a gardener.... I just get things to grow... sometimes to my own detriment..... Attacking Pumpkins... LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

A Day with the Amish

We had a great time yesterday. I was able to get the 18 half-gallon jars that I wanted and the cabbage crusher thingy... LOL! I wasn't able to get the sweet mustard but thanks to Skippymom I have several recipes to try! We did get to the bulk store. If the monsters would have sat in the car I would have bought more. But they were tired by that point. I did get a ton of stuff though. Here is the list:

bollion cubes chicken, beef & vegetable
orange lentils
soft white wheat berries
black beans
chicken corn noodle soup
wheat germ
ready potatoe slices
split yellow peas
vegetable flakes
graham cracker crumbs
hard red winter wheat berries
mustard seeds
garlic powder
onion powder
clear jel
corn starch
blueberry muffin mix
whole egg solids
50 lbs of unbleached & unbromated flour
&
Silver Jimmies

Grim had a blast running the vac and seal to seal all the jars last night. Now they are air tight.  I love when the family gets involved with the prep work. It makes it so much easier. While Grim was doing the vac and seal, we got talking to the monsters about putting marshmellows into the jars. So we dug out 2 differnt bags and vacusealed them in the jars. Had to do it a couple times since they want to try one after it did its thing. They said they tasted very fresh after the vacuseal.

As I type I have the pressure canner going. Yep, I got on that turkey. 3 quart jars are full of meat and a little broth and 1 quart has a little meat and a lot of broth. I'm processing at 10lbs for 90 minutes. I took the broth and defatted it. Then I put the turkey jello in a pot and slowlyyyyyyyy heated it up. I cut up and pulled apart the meat. It was added to the now liquid broth. Once that was brought to a boil I added to the jars, then into the pressure canner. I know your wondering why I just wrote the directions. I just thought you all might like to know. But remember don't take my word for it. Always check your canning guides for the recommended way to do things. (disclaimer).

I have pictures but I didn't up load them yet.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Happy Solstice!!!

Did you see the moon last night.... I did and it was beautiful!!! So now winter is officially here, what to do.... LOL! Most of the holiday chores are done for me, yeah!!! Now we will be getting into the what needs to be done before spring thing.... LOL!

Grim and I took my car in to get the front brakes done. Then we had to walk home. It was only about a mile and about 31' out. But I got light headed near the end. After we got home I had a panic attack. God, I hate those things. They scare the bajesus out of me. Plus, I didn't eat breakfast before we went to therapy this morning and I took all my vitamins on an empty stomach.... I know, stupid!!! I'm feeling better now.

I forgot to tell you all I got the hamburger and all the chicken canned up. Very happy with the results. I got 11 pints of burger and 10 pints of chicken. My pantry is becoming more well rounded. I still have not gotten into the freezers to can up what's there. But I fear I had better soon. The light on the big freezer is blinking. So what I'm hoping is that I can get in there and clean it out, defrost it and it will be good as new. Well, I can hope. Either way it will be cleaned out and ready for fresh food!

We bought the paint for Mouthy monsters room. I was in there last week and I cleaned it all out. Toys, clothes and garbage went. Now she has room for whatever Santa brings. Of course while I was in there cleaning, I noticed that the paint is showing it's age. So another room to get done before the end of the year. I was suppose to paint the hallway over the summer, never got around to it. Maybe I will knock it off also, next week.

I'm almost feeling like I miss Christmas and it isn't even here yet.... Sounds odd I know. But being done with all the major stuff and not having to stress is going to some getting use to.... LOL! This kicking back and relaxing during the holidays is a wild concept. Who knew, the holidays could be like this.

I think I'm going to sew up some of the aprons I cut out a couple weeks ago. With them done maybe I can get a few more cut out..... This free time thing is kewl..... Oh, yeah, I'm going to make play dough with the little ones today. Here is the recipe that I will be using... and probably put together the gingerbread barn..... Yep, gingerbread barn! I got that at Tractor Supply..... I love that store.

Gotta Run,

Yart

Remember!

The other day I was complaining that I didn't seem to be accomplishing anything but was super busy. Well, here is what I had been doing that took up so much time......

First are the towels that I embroidered. The one photo will not go right.... sorry! This is the first time I have done this type of needle work in over 20 years. I'm just happy I remembered how to do basic stitches.

 Here are the 3 hats that I completed in November. Both of the variegated are the new pattern. The dark blue is a beanie type.

 This is the 10 pounds of chicken that I picked up yesterday. I raw packed it. This is a first for me. I have done burger before but never chicken. It seems to have cooked up well. So this is a nice addition to the pantry. Especially since today was the first snow day of the year!

 As promised here is the wool and my welcome letter from Jenna at Cold Antler Farm. I was so excited to start on it. When the rest of the yarn arrives next year, I will have to come up with something else. But this is going to be a scarf.

Four posts in one day, no wonder I have no time... LOL! Oh, and I am down to only 2 1/2 skiens left for the prayer shawl... One day I will get pictures of that.

Gotta Run,

Yart

Snow Day!

The phone rang at 5:30 this morning, telling us that school had been cancled due to the weather. The school system has phone recording that calls for all announcements. It was nice not having to wait and see when our district flashes across the screen. The down side to that is the phone rang at 5:30 this morning. You guessed it..... Now I'm wide awake! I'm sitting here in long john's and my robe, drinking a hot cup of Yogi Chia Tea with just a touch of honey.

I didn't get a chance to tell you yesterday, I burned my first batch of cookies. I've done it before years ago. But this is the first time in recent history that it has happened. I had the timer on the stove set for the canner and I used a hand held timer for the cookies. Well, the little hand held didn't work. So the cookies were in the oven for like 22 minutes before I realized it. At least it wasn't the canner that got screwed up.

Speaking of the canner I was able to get 5 quarts of beef stock and 2 quarts of water canned up yesterday. I will be doing more turkey stock after Christmas.

 It is days like today that I am very thankful that I have a house full of food. If we decided not to go anywhere for a couple of days we would be perfectly fine. With the temps dipping into the teens for the day time highs, I'm thinking that we will be doing just what needs to be done. Grim has therapy in a couple of hours and we need to go to the gym since we will already be out.

I didn't get a call for bingo again. But this time I am going to call and see what is going on. Two weeks ago they didn't call and I missed. Then last week the woman called, my phone rang once, no message. And now again no call. I'm starting to think they don't like me. Oh, well! No bingo for me.... The only reason I work the bingos is to add money into the monsters account. It helps with expenses like band camp. I think we are going to go back to selling candy bars and pretzels. Just so I can get out from under this bingo thing. Blah!

I will have pictures in another post but I wanted to let you know..... I got my package from Jenna at Cold Antler Farm. I was lucky enough to be one of the first participants in her fiber csa. It is so much different feeling working with natural fibers vs acrylic fibers. The first being that it isn't as think and the second is that it isn't as soft. I'm not complaining, just saying as this is the first time for natural fiber. I think the differences is neat. As soon as I read the information packet that Jenna included, I balled up the wool. Then last night I got started knitting a scarf. The pattern is very simple. I adapted it from a Lions Brand Yarn pattern, which you can find here. I am making mine wider.

The clock is playing Christmas music and I notice that the sun has finally broken the horizon. The dull gray of early morning has now been replaced with the pink and blue hues of daytime! So with that I must awaken sleepy monsters and a grumpy Grim......LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Isn't it suppose to slow down?

I mean really. The snow is falling, but not sticking. The garden has been put to bed and the house is decorated. Everything should be quieting down now. But noooooo. That's not the case. We have been running around like crazy. Doing what I'm still not sure. Are you ever so busy that you really don't seem to accomplish anything but stuff gets done? Yep, that's where I'm at right now.

Here are two flour sack towels. I iron transferred the image on to them. I have one finished and the other one is almost done. No pictures yet.

 I have 6 of these skeleton aprons to sew up. I bought the material months ago and never got around to doing the work.

 I did finally get the turkey stock canned up. I only ended up with 2 quarts but I also got 4 jars of sterile water also. I can't remember where I saw to do this. So if it was you, thank you for the tip! But it helps to add the jars with water so that nothing bounces around and breaks.

 We took the monsters to the living history museum this weekend. It was a blast. They had people in costume, like below. There were stands that you could purchase things like, roast beef sandwiches off a spitted roast, roasted chestnuts hot off the fire, spiked hot cocoa (peppermint schnapps), spiked hot cider (dark rum) and non spiked for the teetotalers. I had to drive so no spirits for me.... :( Maybe next year.

It started to snow while we were there. It added a magical touch to the evening.

 And even though there were no spirits for me there were fires everywhere to warm ourselves by.

 A good time was had by all. They are already asking if we can go back next year! I think that this will become one of our holiday traditions from this point on. Next weekend we are going to see the Christmas lights at the zoo. It is a wonderful display!

I have to work bingo tonight. But tomorrow night we will be getting started on the cookies and candy. Unfortunately, we won't be done in one night but it shouldn't take long. Plus, I need to get all the holiday bread made. I think that will have to wait until the weekend. Maybe Saturday after the Bowling Christmas party.

Speaking of bowling. Picky monster got a high enough score in the in house tournament that she gets to go on to the city tournament in May. And we questioned about why she hasn't received any patches yet. The lady came over with a printout and we found that her computer program had a glitch. Picky will be getting at least 2 patches for her shirt. I am so happy.... She was getting very discouraged. But it's all better now!!

Gotta Run,

Yart

It's official

The Christmas / Yule season is now upon us! Let the games begin! I am staying home today, unlike my crazy assed family that are at the stores as I type. They have been there since the lines started. Probably didn't even bother going to sleep in antisipation of the shopping deals they are going to get today. This woman has nothing on my mom and aunt....Then again my cousin is coming in a close second..... Crazy I tell ya... LOL!

Is it just me or is the tv fireplace above the real fireplace to much.... I'm just sayin'

The monsters are going to decorate the inside of the house today. Yeah! It will keep them busy. I just hope they don't argue to much. I am also going to let them do some wrapping for me. The stuff that I bought for Grim. Since he is going over to a friends house for guy time. It is the perfect opprotunity and it gives the monsters practice.

I think I might even get started on making the holiday bread for this year. Last year was zuchinni and this year it will be banana nut. I have a ton of banana's in the freezer so I shouldn't have to buy any. Plus, I think I might even get some turkey into jars and can it. At least one canner load. I have a ton of broth leftover. Yep, busy busy busy!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Another week down

Well, we still have the weekend to get through. But for the most part this week was really eventful. First I was suppose to work Bingo. My first day back since the begining of summer. I wasn't looking forward to it. So when I got there and the police were in the parking lot I thought someone had been pulled over. That wasn't the case at all, it was something way more serious. Needless, to say Bingo was cancled and the bomb squad had to show up. LOL! I was very happy to go home!

Band practice has been hectic, rainy and cold. So you can guess Band monster has not been in the best frame of mind. I think that she would quit if she didn't like the music so much. See she wants to be a vet, the music is more of a hobby for her. She is good but she just isn't passionate about it. She has her varsity jacket and her letter already. I think that things would be better for her if her section leaders were a little more mature. But that is just a mom's opinion. Tomorrow her day will begin on the practice field at 8:30 am and she won't get home from the competion until 11pm. Yes, they practice all day, then go off to a competition. DEDICATION! I didn't have that when I was in school. I smoked and drank! Ah, the good old days! LOL!

I still have a bushel and a half of apples and 50lbs of potatoes that need to be processed. Grim is going to buy me a french fry cutter. One of the restaraunt quality ones. That way I get through the potatoes and get them into jars. The apples need to be cleaned and cut up for more pie filling. Just have to get my butt in gear and do it. Maybe I will start tonight. ?!?

I have been riding my outside and inside bicycles. I have done over 20 miles this week. Plus I have been doing the T-tapp hoe downs. Even though I am not doing them very well I am doing them. You can see the video here.

And if this exercise doesn't work I think I will be signing up for weight watchers. I have heard good and bad about it. I just don't want to spend any more money to loose weight.

Gotta Run,
Yart

The saga continues

I got all the corn done... 21 quarts only 1 didn't seal and I didn't catch it soon enough so I had to toss it. I got 12 - 4oz & 3 - 8oz jars of vanilla pear butter. Again one didn't seal but I caught that one in time. So yesterday we enjoyed vanilla pear butter on waffles. Yummmmm! Since all the work was done I took a two day break. I enjoyed it greatly! But once again I am back at it. Grim and I went and purchased 2 more bushels of corn yesterday. We got it all shucked and cobbed this mornining. I am typing to you all from the kitchen. I have the laptop set up on a tv tray. LOL! So that I can keep an eye on the pressure gauge. It is just a humorous sight to behold. This should give us enough corn for the year. I'm hoping, keeping fingers crossed. It will be almost one quart a week. So what this means is that I am going to have to can green beans again. The last time I canned them they were mushy, they tasted fine. I will have to find out what to do.

The next big venture is going to be carrots and potatoes. They just don't last in the basement, so they need to be canned. Fun, fun, fun..... I will buy a 50 pound bag of carrots and 100 pounds of potatoes. I guess this is the year that I invest in a couple more really good peelers. I can already hear the crying about not wanting to help...... I know I shouldn't cry in front of the monsters but whats a mom to do.... LOL!

School starts back this coming Tuesday. We tried to get everyone to sleep early but it just didn't happen. I haven't been sleeping well, dreams bad ones & dreams about my dad. But at least I know why I was dreaming like this. I got a facebook message last night that my estranged grandfather had a heart attack last Thursday (when the dreams started) and they just got around to letting me know last night. I'm not sure what I would have done if they would have let me know right away. Just like I'm not sure what I am suppose to do with this information. You know you make decisions and then a life time goes by and someone else wants to come back from the dead (basically) and change everything. Sorry about that. I guess I just needed to see it in black and white for it to start making sense.

And now for something completely different..... I went out to the garden yesterday thinking that the garden was pretty much done and ready to be put to bed for the winter (except for the garlic that will be planted in October). I go over to the beefsteaks and they are just green none have turned for fear of Bunnicula. So I decided that I would pick all the green ones. Then I head over to the roma's. They haven't done sh** so far this season. Well, this cool weather is what they like. They have set flowers and got small greens ones everywhere. So instead of ripping them out I was out there tying them up so the damn rabbit didn't get anymore as they turn. What truely weird weather we are having. I think we did better with the garden last year in the cold and rainy instead of hot and humid of this year.

We are having a ham today for dinner. It is very cool and damp today. So before I get the potatoes and carrots I will be canning ham and bean soup for the first time. It should be good. But anyways, I really need to get the freezers cleaned out. Grim is suppose to go hunting in November. So I have to get off my butt and get it done.....AHHHHHH! LOL! Well, tons to do!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Mental Condition?!?

Really like I don't have enough todo! I go and buy another bushel of tomatoes and a bushel of pickles. While I was at the farmers market I was even looking at the peaches. I mean really what is wrong with me. I can't seem to stop with all of this insanity. The temps are up again and I am back in the hot kitchen canning up a storm.

Today I finally canned up 6 half-pints of Zesty Watermelon Jelly. I have one pot of homegrown tomatoes cooked down and need to be pureed. I have a sink full of more homegrown tomatoes that need to be cleaned and cooked, then pureed. Last night I cubed up 6 eggplant from the garden and got them in the freezer. I have 10 green peppers chopped and drying in the dehydrator. There are 6 more green and 9 yellow that are waiting their turn for drying. I would have started on the pickles but I don't have enough vinegar so I have to run to the market.

Seriously, anyone else who cans do you find your self canning like a fool? I wonder if I am the only one.....LOL! Harvest is so short to get everything locally that this is why I tend to go overboard with it. Maybe in my next life I will be responsible for less lives. And with that not have to do so much..... Who am I kidding I love it.

Gotta Run,

Yart

Best layed plans

In my last post I told you all the things that I was going to be preserving this season. It seems like I just had to get started doing some other things first. Well, I guess that is why I always leave room for change! My mom, picky monster and I went berry picking. We were able to get Blackberries and raspberries. The blackberry bushes were taller then me and I am 5'9" and they had thorns that were huge. I have the scrapes and pickers to prove it. (Sorry I didn't think to take pictures of the boo boo's).

 

We got 4 quart of blackberries $3.99 each, and the raspberries were $3.50 a quart for 7 quarts. Mom got 12 half pints of blackberry jam and 5 pints of raspberry jam. I got 5 pints of blackberry jam, 5 pints of raspberry jam and 5 pints of Chocolate raspberry dessert topping.

Then I got on to cleaning out some of my freezers. I know I was suppose to have done this months ago. I still have more to get out but I did get out some of the pecans and made 3 half pints of praline syrup. Two bags of cranberries also needed to be used up. I got 5 half pints of jellied cranberries. 

When I was looking for other recipes, I came across two more that I can use up freezer stuff for. The first is Black Forest Topping using the bing cherries I froze months ago. I will be making strawberry jelly, also. This will be the first time I have made this type of jelly. Really, I don't know why I haven't made it before. But Grim will be very happy!

Grim was able to get the kitchen finished. Here is a before picture to remind you what it use to look like.

And here is the finished product.

We also changed out the counter, it is a multi-colored brown. The stems you see in the corner of the picture is all of the garlic. It is purple hard neck. I am hoping that I will be able to use some of these cloves to plant for next season.

 Lots still to do!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Catching up or longer then I planned

Here is picture I took from the bridge of Mackinaw. The sky was beautiful and Lake Huron was very calm. Which was a good thing considering that I hate heights and water. We went up into the UP. It was very nice. The weather was much nicer then at home. We looked at several parcels of land. Unfortunately, we don't have the money to make that type of purchase but it is nice to dream.
Mackinaw City has a multitude of wind turbines. I think that this is the kewlest thing as I use to work in the renewable industry. There are 8 of them, they help power part of the harbormaster building and an ice suppression system in the dock area. I love seeing more eco energy options being used.
In my last post I was complaining about the garden. Of course I just needed to wait a few more days. Here is a nice little haul that I got this week. I ended up dehydrating all of the hot peppers. There is Hungarian Hots, Peter Peppers and Ancho Peppers. If they keep production up I will have a jar of each in the pantry.... Yeah! I did go out to the you pick farm. He said that his tomatoes are about 2 weeks behind because of the weather. So I don't feel so bad now.
Here is the picture of the wall color before we painted. It was a gray / purple. I loved this color. It was in the bedroom for over 10 years. It was time for a change. So we went with the dark green walls, butter cream for the trim and the linens are a rust color. I am very happy with the new color scheme. It is just taking a little time getting use to the new layout.

As you can see in the tires are potatoe plants. I probably should have left them for a little while longer.But of course I have never been patient. So we ended up with 39.2 pounds of taters. We ate some with dinner tonight and they were very good. Since these aren't for storage we will be eating the rest of them over the next few weeks.

All of the tires are now up against the fence. It will give us more room to manouver. Plus, we want to build a fence with a gate. It will block the dog from the garden. Right now we are using metal stakes with snow fencing. It looks horrible and I am tired of climbing over the fence to get in the garden.

I have an appointment with my real doctor tomorrow. I don't know what is going on, I am almost done with the antibotics the urgent care doc gave me and I'm still not better. Then Thursday I have a dreaded dental appointment. I hate, hate, hate going to the dentist. It has been like 4 years since I've been. But with what ever is going on with my sinus's / ear, my teeth have been hurting. So to the dentist I go.... blah!!!!

I worked in the pantry the other day. I cleaned out almost 40 jars of food that just weren't a hit. There was lemon juice that didn't quite turn out, pickles that tasted great but were mushy, apple sauce that went south and kidney beans that were yucky. I was sad to toss out all that food. The work that went into making it wasted. :o( But that was really just a lesson learned. Make less of new items. With that work done I organized the pantry a little bit... ( it needs more attention, then I have time for right now). I have room now for all the canning I want to do this year.

1. Spaghetti Sauce
2. Ketchup Recipe here
   
3. BBQ Sauce Recipe here
   
4. Dill Pickles
5. Chicken Stock Great sounding recipe here
6. Corn Relish Recipe here (not sure how to eat this but it sounds good)
7. Sauerkraut
8. Beef Stew Recipe here
9. Vegetable Soup Recipe here
10. Taco Sauce Recipe here
11. Carrots
12. Corn
13. Potatoes

I think that is a good list to start with. LOL! I know I tend to bite off more then I can chew. But I want to get the pantry full for winter. I need to make a list of things like toilet paper that needs to be stock up on. I just have a feeling that this winter is going to a bad one and want to be prepared. I know, I know foreboading arn't I.

Gotta Run,
Yart