I talked earlier in my blog about having surgery on my foot. Well today was the big day! Surgery is complete and I'm home recovering. So far it hasn't been to bad othe then being tired. I've slept most of the afternoon. Sure hope I can sleep tonight! The foot is still numb from medication the doctor injected into it. He told my husband it should stay that way until tomorrow...then look out! That does not make me feel good! So for now I'm on the couch with an ice pack behind my knee. It's a beautiful sight!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
First Time Canner
My sister, who happens to be my neighbor, planted raspberry bushes about two years ago. This summer the kids and I have been watching them grow, bloom and finally get berries! Yesterday we noticed some of the berries were ready to be picked, so we grabbed a bowl and headed to the bushes. Between samples, we picked about two cups of berries. It wasn't quite enough for a cobbler but I figured it was just the right amount for making jam!
Keep in mind, I've never made jam before. I've eaten my fair share but never actually attempted to make it. I knew I didn't have the usual canning "stuff" so I hit the world wide web to see what I could find. There were so many great recipes and tips for making your own jam! The one I used is from Food.com. It was simple and I liked that it only contained fruit and sugar. I was apprehensive at first. There's no way I could get good jam out of this simple recipe that only took 30 minutes to cook! I remember my grandmother, my mother, and my aunts standing over a stove for hours canning!
So...I just dove right in. What have I got to lose? Two cups of berries? I figure the way these bushes are producing, I'll probably have two more cups ready in the next couple of days! So I pulled out the bag of sugar, mashed the berries with a fork, and set them to boiling on the stove. It didn't take long at all and I was well on my way to making my first ever jar of jam.
As I said before I don't have the necessary tools for canning. I had three small jars with lids and rings...and that's about it! I don't have one of those jar puller things, I don't own a big pot to boil jars in, and I don't own a pressure cooker. The one thing I do have is an oven. My sister, who frequently cans tomatoes from the summer garden, has had great luck with what I call "oven canning". There's no jar boiling, no burning yourself with steam, and not much watching involved! You simply pour your "goods" into the warm jars, put the lid and ring in place, and pop the jars in the oven pre-heated to 250, making sure they don't touch. Let them bake about 2 hours then shut the oven off. Leave the jars in place until the oven cools and they seal! She's never had a jar not seal using this method.
Being so simple, I figured even I could figure this method out! So after the boiling, adding sugar, boiling again, and beating I poured the jam into a jar, placed the lid and ring and stuck it in the oven. It was late...I was tired...I left it for my daughter to attend. She must have done a good job because the jar was on the kitchen counter this morning and sealed! The only problem I see so far is it looks like all the berries floated to the top of the jar. Not sure why this happened or how I prevent it. Any suggestions?
In the mean time, I think maybe I'll do some more research online. I'm thinking I need strawberry beds next spring!
Keep in mind, I've never made jam before. I've eaten my fair share but never actually attempted to make it. I knew I didn't have the usual canning "stuff" so I hit the world wide web to see what I could find. There were so many great recipes and tips for making your own jam! The one I used is from Food.com. It was simple and I liked that it only contained fruit and sugar. I was apprehensive at first. There's no way I could get good jam out of this simple recipe that only took 30 minutes to cook! I remember my grandmother, my mother, and my aunts standing over a stove for hours canning!
So...I just dove right in. What have I got to lose? Two cups of berries? I figure the way these bushes are producing, I'll probably have two more cups ready in the next couple of days! So I pulled out the bag of sugar, mashed the berries with a fork, and set them to boiling on the stove. It didn't take long at all and I was well on my way to making my first ever jar of jam.
As I said before I don't have the necessary tools for canning. I had three small jars with lids and rings...and that's about it! I don't have one of those jar puller things, I don't own a big pot to boil jars in, and I don't own a pressure cooker. The one thing I do have is an oven. My sister, who frequently cans tomatoes from the summer garden, has had great luck with what I call "oven canning". There's no jar boiling, no burning yourself with steam, and not much watching involved! You simply pour your "goods" into the warm jars, put the lid and ring in place, and pop the jars in the oven pre-heated to 250, making sure they don't touch. Let them bake about 2 hours then shut the oven off. Leave the jars in place until the oven cools and they seal! She's never had a jar not seal using this method.
Being so simple, I figured even I could figure this method out! So after the boiling, adding sugar, boiling again, and beating I poured the jam into a jar, placed the lid and ring and stuck it in the oven. It was late...I was tired...I left it for my daughter to attend. She must have done a good job because the jar was on the kitchen counter this morning and sealed! The only problem I see so far is it looks like all the berries floated to the top of the jar. Not sure why this happened or how I prevent it. Any suggestions?
In the mean time, I think maybe I'll do some more research online. I'm thinking I need strawberry beds next spring!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
One great vacation!
With our children growing up, we know that family vacations are going to be hard to come by. Our Northern daughter will be 18 in March and headed off to college somewhere, I'm sure, and making a life for herself. So we wanted this vacation to be great. It was one to remember thats for sure!
We knew we had a long drive ahead of us and wanted to get to our cabin long before dark. We left home around 4am for the 12 hour drive...boys in the truck, girls in the van. With 10 of us going there was no other choice but to take two vehicles. It really works out well this way! The hubby drives one vehicle and I drive the other. He has the directions and I follow. I love it!
The first night we knew we wouldnt feel like doing much but sleep. After the long drive everyone is tired, and cranky, and ready to be out of the vehicles. That night was pretty much just rest and relax. Our true adventures started on Monday!
We decided Monday we would visit Clingmans Dome. This would be our second time here and we were not disappointed!
There is nothing better then watching the cloads roll in...while your standing in them! Absolutely amazing!
Although the "hike" is only half a mile, and its all paved, it is VERY steep! There are several very nicely placed benches and rocks for resting along the path. And believe me...they were well used!!
After our walk on Monday, we decided Tuesday would be a lazy day. Since our kids are older, we can leave them alone for a few hours and not worry to much. So we took a road trip to nearby Maryville TN to check out Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson. We love our harley and will return there some day on it!
After stopping at a log furniture store along the road, we returned to the cabin for dinner with the family.
We made plans ahead of time to take the kids zip lining on Wednesday. The little guy couldn't go because he wasn't old enough. So we had to promise to go back in two years when he's 8 so he could zip through the trees too! With views like this how could I say no.
After gearing up and a crash course on how to use the equipment we were off to the trees!
The company we used is CLIMB Works Canopy. I highly reccomend them if you are looking for great family fun with professionals who constantly give back to their community. Please take the time to check out their website. You will not be sorry!
Friday there was no walking in anyones plans! We decided a nice drive would be better then walking anywhere. So we took a drive through Cades Cove. It was very scenic and we saw quite a few deer! We were disappointed there were no bear to be seen, but enjoyed the drive anyway.
Saturday was our driving home day. No one was ready for it. All the kids asked if we could just stay, but the hubby thought we should get back. Something about jobs and silly adult responsibilites. *hmph*
Although we were very busy, we all enjoyed our vacation very much and are already planning for the next one in two years.
We knew we had a long drive ahead of us and wanted to get to our cabin long before dark. We left home around 4am for the 12 hour drive...boys in the truck, girls in the van. With 10 of us going there was no other choice but to take two vehicles. It really works out well this way! The hubby drives one vehicle and I drive the other. He has the directions and I follow. I love it!
The first night we knew we wouldnt feel like doing much but sleep. After the long drive everyone is tired, and cranky, and ready to be out of the vehicles. That night was pretty much just rest and relax. Our true adventures started on Monday!
We decided Monday we would visit Clingmans Dome. This would be our second time here and we were not disappointed!
Although the "hike" is only half a mile, and its all paved, it is VERY steep! There are several very nicely placed benches and rocks for resting along the path. And believe me...they were well used!!
After our walk on Monday, we decided Tuesday would be a lazy day. Since our kids are older, we can leave them alone for a few hours and not worry to much. So we took a road trip to nearby Maryville TN to check out Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson. We love our harley and will return there some day on it!
We made plans ahead of time to take the kids zip lining on Wednesday. The little guy couldn't go because he wasn't old enough. So we had to promise to go back in two years when he's 8 so he could zip through the trees too! With views like this how could I say no.
My beautiful family. Minus the little guy.
On Thursday we hiked to Rainbow Falls. This was the one thing our kids asked to do again from our trip two years ago. It is amazing and absolutely with the all day hike! I would suggest to take a cooler with sandwiches for lunch when your done...you're going to be hungry. And don't forget water!! You will want to take a water bottle with you! But the end is well worth the trip!
Saturday was our driving home day. No one was ready for it. All the kids asked if we could just stay, but the hubby thought we should get back. Something about jobs and silly adult responsibilites. *hmph*
Although we were very busy, we all enjoyed our vacation very much and are already planning for the next one in two years.
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