What is new with you?

 

I canned coleslaw.  It can be eaten just out of the jar, or drained and mayonnaise added.  

English paper piecing.  After making a hexagon for front and back, I blanket stitched around the outer edge.  I used the blanket stitch for crocheting a lace edging.  

Tomaters

This year I purchased some tomatoes.  Half of my purchase consisted of yellow/orange tomatoes.  These were so beautiful!  The white and green area under the stem was very small and therefore I had little waste when this area was removed.  I canned chopped tomatoes and seasoned them with Italian seasonings.

I found these hanging tomatoes many years ago at Hobby Lobby.  :-).

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Canning Decor

I didn't can or put up food for a few years.  When I get back into the swing of it, things have changed.  The decorated bands and lids are no more----for the most part.  Some are still out there, but they are always on back order or sold out.  I can decorate my own, but I prefer to purchase them already done.  I have made the pretty little bonnet type covers in the past.  You probably remember the type since they were so popular in the 80's.  They were circles of fabric with the lace around the edge and elastic in a smaller circle inside of the large circle so it would fit around the bottom of the head of the jar.  Of course, there had to be a bow.  I wanted something different this year.  I played around a little and came up with the following ideas.  I am sure you can come up with much better ideas.

Rose buttons on rat tail satin ribbon.

Hello Kitty fabric cover with bakers twine bow.

I took an idea from Julie Marie
(http://idyllhours.blogspot.com) and used ripped fabric ties. 

 Fancy Ribbon.

Hand spun wool tie.

Beads of fruit slices strung on thin cotton yarn.

Apple slice beads strung on thin cotton yarn.

More ideas to come............................Blessings to all!  Dawnie

New This Week

Only my chicken run has a basketball and a bowling ball.  (Compliments of the kids.)

We have 6 chicks.  Some from an order on line, some from one farmer, and some from another farmer.  This chicken has become mama hen to them and she calls them to her where they hang out with her and keep safe and warm. 

My son is holding Berger King like a parrot.  I guess she thinks she is one.  She is as pretty as one!

Peach Raspberry Pie Filling---Yum!

More Pot Holders this week.  I have been canning peaches. 

New pot holder.

My favorite of the newly crocheted pot holders.

I like the flower-centered pot holders.

Thanks for viewing! 

In case you were wondering, my bird cage at the top right hand side of my blog disappeared.  I guess I will have to change my design again.  

I hope you and yours have a blessed day!  Dawnie

Ball Jam and Jelly Maker

I purchased a new toy this past week and I used it for the first time last evening.  It is a jam and jelly maker by Ball, the jar people.  It makes small batches of jam in 21 minutes.  I do mean small batches.  After you make the jam, you can freeze, refrigerate, or can it.  I decided to make an unusual kind using blackberries and plums, along with spice and golden sherry.  I was impressed with how easy it was to make a batch of jam.  I made a batch when I was doing dishes and cleaning up after a meal.  21 minutes goes real fast!

First you place pectin in the gadget, then you add (2 2/3 cups) prepared fruit.  After 4 minutes it will beep and you add the sugar at that time.  After cooking  21 minutes, it will let you know when it is done. The jam maker has automatic arms and it stirs the jam as it is cooking.  I found that the jam to be less thick as I like it to be.  The flavor of the jam was excellent!  Did I say excellent!  It may have been the liquor flavor I enjoyed.  LOL

I will show pictures of my canned jam and give you a better recipe after I experiment a while.  What a fun way to play!

Blessings to you and yours!  Dawnie

In a Jam

I had my strawberry apron on hand too. 

I made a double batch of Strawberry Citrus Jam yesterday.  I found a lady on Craigslist that was ordering in strawberries from Florida.  I had to get some.  The car had that heavenly scent of fresh strawberries on our trip back from her farm.  With a 19, 20, and 21 year old and myself, the food budget needs all of the help it can get.  I haven't canned for several years, but I decided it was time to give it a go again.  My ingredients were: 14 cups sugar, 2 extra large lemons, 2 blood oranges, (I crushed and pureed the citrus fruits and used most of the rind, 9 cups crushed and pureed strawberries, 2 boxes pectin, 2 tablespoons of citric acid, and one tablespoon butter.  The jam tasted OK last night, but today after it set longer and I refrigerated the family container, it was wonderful!  The texture turned out perfect too.  If you haven't made jam or it has been a while for you, maybe it is time to go for it again.  It makes great gifts too.  Thank you for viewing my blog.  Many blessings for you and yours!  Dawn