Cherry Jelly

Yep, I did it again…. This time I had sweet cherries to use up. And nowhere I looked had a recipe. So I made one.

4 cups of juice

4 1/2 cups of sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 box of pectin

Then I water bathed it for 5 minutes.

8 ~ 1/2 pints that all set…. Yeah!

Then with the juice that I had left I made the monsters more popsicles. They haven’t gotten to them yet as we had running around to do today.

Luckily, I still have some of the peach and now cherry juice…. These monsters are eating them like crazy. But in their defense it has been in the 90’s.

Yart

Preparations

Just to let you know I am starting this post at night and will finish up in the morning.

Tonight I used my steam juicer again. Really love the thing. This time it was for an over abundance of peaches and nectarines. We them in our weekly box. Since we are not huge fans they have just been multiplying in the fridge. So out came the juicer and I made jelly.

4 cups of juice

4.5 cups of sugar

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1 box of powdered pectin

I will let you know when I finish the post if it set. This is the first time I didn’t have a step by step recipe to follow. I looked through a couple different books and just kind of went for it. Now I’m fairly sure that this is a standard type but it felt good not to be step by step behind someone else.

I took 1 cup of juice and 1/2 cup sugar and made 6 popsicles for the monsters. Next time I may use less sugar or even use honey instead. Since it was the first time I just winged it… They are very excited to try them. I’m keeping fingers crossed that they turn out. That way when I want to make something else out of the ordinary they will be receptive.

There was another 2 cups of juice that I put in the fridge. I thought that I could make a simple syrup, add some juice and soda water to make a refreshing drink. Could even add a bit of white liquor. Then again I could add some white wine to the juice and make a spritzer. Hmmm, the possibilities are endless. But in all reality the monsters will probably have it gone before I’m up in the morning…

I had to go and get a planner for this year as mine expired in June. I got a nice purse sized one that wasn’t a lot of money. and I went to the school website to get all the practice and competition days. From this point to the first week in November we are tied up with band. My calendar is already filled and it is nothing for me but a dentist appointment.

We did manage to get the time off work for Grim and we are taking a few days and going up north for some very much need R&R. We will be camping and going to all of the living history museums. The monsters will get to go swimming and Grim will get to go look for ghosts… LOL! There are couple of places that have a history to them. It aught to be fun. I will have to face on of my fears…. a ferry! Yep, scared to death of water so in turn no boats. But where we want to go I have to buck up and just do it for the sake of my family.

Gotta Run,

Yart


PS... It set!!! Yeah!!

New Day

Like usual there is a ton of stuff to do and so little time to accomplish it! But I have decided that I need to take time and only deal with what is important to me. That way I don't get all stressed out over what I can't control. Well, at least I'm going to try... LOL!

First I want to let you all in on a little secret. I am going to be participating in a blog party on the 25th of September! Anyone is welcome to join the theme is "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman, either the book or the movie. If you wish to be part of this wonderful event then just click on the invitation below!



The next thing is I was able to use up the quart of cherries that I had in the freezer. I made black forest topping. It made 9 half pint jars. When I use it I plan on making a dark chocolate layer cake and using it between the layers. Then topping it with a dark chocolate. almond whipped cream. Sorry no pictures of it. Don't worry though, I still have strawberries and watermelon to turn into jelly!


Band season suddenly came upon us yesterday. A nasty message from a 16 year old been left on my phone. It was from a section leader wanted to be a show off and called to inform my band monster that if she didn't attend the next session she would be kicked out of the program. I had an appointment and she had to miss the first practice. So needless to say, I went in and spoke with the band director. He said that everything was fine and for us not to worry about the section leader. So it is officially Band season! 5 nights a week of running here and there.



This year is going to be really fun as the two youngest are going to be bowling on Saturday mornings. I know what am I thinking. The youngest two need to be active in something as well. And it might as well be inside, with potties, food and seating! YEAH BOWLING!!

I've got a roast in the oven. My family was going to revolt if I didn't get back to cooking. They hate eating out and that is what we have been doing the past couple of days. I'm right there with them, my poor tummy wants real food. So there is the roast, carrots, fresh potatoes and onions from garden. We will also have corn and a lettuce and tomato salad. YUMMMM!

I have to go and get the stawberries and watermelon juiced up for the jelly!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Fit as a Farm Hand week 4

Here is the permalink if anyone else wants to join in.

Sorry this is late.... I forgot to post it!

Weight Loss..... None... But I am ok with that as I didn't gain anything either!

Exercise..... I didn't get on the treadmill but I did go out walking with Grim a couple days this past week.

Diet.... No real changes but I did buy a veggie steamer so I can start cooking broccoli!

I really did get to do more canning last night. I had to wait for the kitchen since Grim was making an Irish Red. He made the Stout on Sunday. They will be ready for St. Pat's. He also has a Scottish Ale that he is going to be making. I know your thinking why all the beer. Well, it blooms much better in the cool weather and it will last up to 1 year. So might as well, put this weather to good use!

On to the canning, I did take some really nice pictures with the camera. But since I still can't upload them, here are the camera phone pictures. They didn't turn out to bad with daylight behind them.
Lemon Jelly

Canned Clementines

I even ironed out the fabric and cut out all the pieces for my first apron. It is actually for Grim. But it will count for the merit badge. Now I just have to figure out how to put it together. I don't know if I have ever said this before..... I really don't know how to sew. I mean I have always had a sewing machine, and I can thread the bobbin and make the machine go. And it is mostly making a simple stitch to make a blanket or put a patch on. This is a pattern that I need to figure out?!? I have to go out and get bias tape? not sure what that is but I'm sure I will know before this day is out. Oh, and I have fabric leftover so I am going to make a couple of pin cushions. Here is a great site for a pattern for them.

Witty Topic

No witty topics... LOL! I just couldn't come up with a title. In my little correspondence box it says that today is a good day to write. So here I am. Since I did the jelly, I was feeling a little bit energized to do more canning. It is like tattoo's, it gets in your blood. So off to the market I went. I found another 5 pound box of clementines. And I found a great way to preserve them. Marisa at Food in Jars has inspired me to try out her recipe for Canned Clementines.

I also have a few lemons that I need to do something with. So I will be trying my hand at Lemon Jelly. I found a recipe here. I will be water bathing them for 10 minutes for 1/2 pints and 15 minutes for pints, as paraffin wax is no longer an recommended method for preserving food. And have no fear I will be taking pictures with my crappy camera phone. *reminder to self buy a cord for camera*

I got my sprouts all cleaned up and in the fridge. Now if they will only eat them. That is ultimately the question. I also started some mung beans to sprout last night. Then they will have a couple of different types to choose from. Worse comes to worse at least I know how to do it if I ever get animals, then they can have greens in the winter. But I'm not giving up hope just yet, it is still a very new concept.

I have now officially become a paid member to the Mary Jane Farms. So I will be working on my merit badges. One of the first ones that I am doing is making my own cleaners. I have wanted to do this for a long time, just never got around to it. Last night I made up an all purpose cleaner. I will post the recipe for it later when I have the magazine in front of me. Don't want to give any bad information. But I did find a site that has a great deal of recipes that you all might be interested in. Homemade Household Cleaners.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Jelly

Well, I got around to juicing the oranges and the clementines that I had. I used an old fashioned glass juicer, as I don't like the electric one I have..... Way to much pulp gets in. Last night I made up the jelly.

3 3/4 cup of juice
1/4 lemon juice
7 cups of sugar
2 pouches of liquid pectin

Warm juices in the pot. Then add the sugar. Bring to a boil stirring continuously. Then add the pectin. Bring back up to a boil while still stirring.

Remove from heat, skim foam and fill jars. Process in a water bath 10 minutes for a half pint and 15 minutes for a pint.
Gotta Run,
Yart