July 31, 2014

estate sale and chicken fun...

Went to an Estate Sale (boy, those are cool) and picked up this vintage camera and Ball Mason Jar. Gave the camera to my oldest son, Brig, who does photography. I kept the Mason Jar of course.


Ouiser, being sleepy after chatting to the Tea Duck on my desk.

Rest of the week...





Yesterday- Canned Cherry Jam and Blackberry Jam w/ James.-DONE

Thursday Morning- Knitting at Baa Baa Sheep
and gave away a box of tomatoes -DONE

Friday Morning- pick Peaches w/ Megan and Romelda McKee.

Friday Eve- movies w/ James at The Hermitage.

Saturday- Work on revamping the Chicken Coop aka: 'Magnolia Girls Maison'

Sunday- Can Peaches!

This morning...





But my 'handy-man' husband, James fixed it in 15 minutes!

Sock Knitting....

Got some Mad Tosh Sock Yarn!
Now I can Knit the 'Nutkins' Socks!!!




Canning Condiments...

Basic Mustard 

(Top) Honey Mustard
(Left) Beer Thyme Mustard (Right) Wine Tarragon Mustard

1/4 cup brown mustard seeds
1/4 cup yellow mustard seeds
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
1 t. kosher salt
1 t. dried spice (basil & lemon, or cardamom & fennel,  or allspice & tumeric)

Instructions:
Soak the mustard seeds in the vinegar and water making sure the seeds are covered by the liquid. Leave soaking overnight.

Add the salt and spices to the seeds mixture. Start by adding about 1 tsp. of each spice. Blend mixture in a blender or "bullet" mixer until it reaches desired consistency, adding water if needed. When you do a tasting if you need more spice add by 1/2 teaspoons. When you are satisfied with the taste ladle into quarter pint jar and process in water bath for 15 minutes.

For the mustard recipes in the picture: http://www.sbcanning.com/search/label/Mustard
===============================================
(Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving)

7 cups peeled and chopped Roma tomatoes (4 lbs)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2/3 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 t. kosher salt
1 cinnamon stick, 2 inch long
1/2 t. each: whole allspice, whole clove, peppercorns
1 bay leaf

Combine tomatoes, onion and red pepper in a blender or food processor and process till smooth. Pour in large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and boil gently for 30 minutes.

Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Tie cinnamon, allspice, cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaf in cheese cloth and add to saucepan. Return to boil and boil gently, uncovered stirring frequently until mixture thickens on a spoon, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove cheesecloth bag.

Ladle into jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Process in water bath for 15 minutes at a full boil. 

==========================================

Pickle Relish
(USDA Complete Book of Home Canning)
3 qts chopped cucumbers

Pickle relish we made from the MFP Class
3 cups each chopped sweet green and red peppers
1 cup chopped onions
3/4 cup kosher salt
4 cups ice
2 cups sugar
4 tsp. each: mustard seed, turmeric, whole allspice, and whole cloves
6 cups white vinegar

Add cucumbers, peppers, onions, salt and ice to water and let stand 4 hours. Drain and recover vegetables with fresh ice water for another hour. Drain again. Combine spices in a spice or cheesecloth bag. Add spices to sugar and vinegar. Heat to boiling and pour mixture over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Heat mixture to boiling and fill hot in hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace. Wipe rims and add hot lids and rings. Process in waterbath 10 minutes. 
=======================================

Summer Sizzle Barbecue Sauce

(Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving)


2 T. Canola oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
4 large tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
½ cup dry red wine or beef broth
3 T liquid honey
1 T each: Worcestershire sauce and cider vinegar
1 t. each dry mustard and green peppercorns
½ t. each chili powder and salt
½ cup tomato sauce
1 t. brown sugar
½ t. hot pepper sauce

Heat oil in a medium stainless steel saucepan over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.

Add tomatoes, wine, honey, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, peppercorns, chili powder and salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered for 30 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and puree in a food processor or blend till smooth. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar and pepper sauce, return to saucepan and bring to a boil.

Fill jars leaving ½ inch headspace. Process in water bath for 20 minutes. Makes about 3 cups.

This bbq sauce gets better after about a month. The vinegar mellows a bit and it has a sweet/heat flavor.
===================

July 30, 2014

in a jam...

All in a day's work...


peaches...





Friday Morning I am going Peach Picking w/ friends. 
Martin's Farm Knotts Island has them for picking now. 
Planning on Canning them Sunday....


Extreme Couponing...

Hey, who does some major Coupon Shopping around here? I need to start again. Just on healthy foods and personal supplies. No big stock piling, just monthly 'stock ups' for my family of 6. 

If you don't use your coupons, please see about giving them to me, eh? Thanks! I am known to hand over jars of homemade jam in return for a plethora of current coupons! wink!


Coupons I could Use:
-Chobani Greek 100
-Sugar Free Jell-O Pudding
-Lowfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese
-Sargento Cheese sticks
-Deli meats 97%fat free
-Fat Free Refried Beans
-Crystal Light
-Avocados
-Fat Free Mayo
-Boca Burgers
-Unsweetened Soy Milk
-Coffee
-Sugar Free Creamers
-Sugar Free Torani Syrups
-Sugar Free Land O Lakes Whipped Topping
-Iams Dog Food (Toy)
-Purina Indoor Cat Food
-Tidy Cat
-Toothpaste
-Dove Soap
-Lever 2,000
-Dove Deodorant
-Arm and Hammer I scented
-Always Pads
-Cottonelle Double Roll
-Dawn
-Pam
-gwaltney bacon
-tuna, chicken
-Campbell's soup
-Thomas Eng Muffins
-bagels
-Popsicles SF 
- Mashed Potatoes (red box)
-Country Crock
-cheeses
-Peanut Butter
-Cereals
-Pretzels
-Tostidos
-Borax
-Baking Soda
-Dr. Bonner
-Zote
-Vinegars
-Shampoo/Conditioner
-Flintstones
-Eggos
-Oatmeal
-Teas
-Frozen veggies
-Breads

honey...

Local Friends, check out this Local Honey at Graceful Bee Apiary aka: Nancy Flanagan

As you all know....we are bee keepers! And we finally have natural (fresh from the hive) organic honey to sell! A 1lb glass jar of honey is $10 and a 1/2 lb glass jar is $5. Please pm me here on Facebook or you can call me at (757) 450-7266 to arrange delivery!


around the house...


in the Garden...



making cherry jam...

Minions...are the best cherry pitters around!




Mila in sephia tones...


using promo codes...


I found THIS great deal: I got 13 bath towels and only paid $2.21 each! Used several Promo Codes...

July 28, 2014

updating from July 23-28...


Meet the 'girls': Clairee, Truvy, Ouizer....

My Smart Grand Baby, Mila Rose...
reading in her play tent!


Crafting...


Knitting...


Tomatoes...

Using Alcohol Inks...

Porter talks to Daddy 
by pulling him in close...


~Throw Back Thursday Post~
Family Photo Christmas 2006....
notice Carson (age 5) and me (age 5)?

Repurposing...


Fresh Cherries...and Starbucks


New Chicken Coop-to-be...
Thrift Store $40



Flowers from Megan and Romelda
for my Birthday...



Pug Love...