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

Sharing Links

I’m still here… Grim has been home the last few days and we have been running to get stuff done. But I always have time to look for new things and when I find them they need to be shared… LOL!

Apricot Rosemary Jam

Watermelon Smoothie

Tzatziki Sauce

Whoopie Pie

Mushroom Barley Soup (can’t wait to make in the winter)

CIDER BREAD

3-1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

3 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

Stir together. Make a well in center and add, in order:

1 c. vegetable oil

4 whole eggs

1 1/2 c. canned pumpkin

2/3 c. apple cider

1/2 c. thick applesauce

Mix everything until smooth. Pour into greased and flour pan. Makes

two 8 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 loaves. Can also be baked in one-pound

coffee cans. If baked in can, fill 2/3 full. Makes 3

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Recipe Source: A Bakers Delight yahoo group, submitted by *name has been omitted for security reasons*

We are going out of town next week so there has been a lot that has needed to be done. Bills to pay, shopping to be done and of course during all this…. The county fair started today. You know where we were all day. I have pictures to share later.

Yart