I love St. Patrick's Day. We celebrate it every year...oh wait, that's because it's also my birthday!
This year, my birthday falls on a Sunday, which means we will go out to celebrate tomorrow evening instead. I was looking forward to a quiet day with my family...I was not counting on a migraine headache all day long! Ugh! I felt so crummy most of the day - we didn't even sit down for dinner until 9pm!
Oh well - maybe tomorrow will go better! :)
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, October 12, 2012
Totally Apple-sauced
Samantha and I trekked over to Wenatchee for the day so Samantha could play with friends and so I could spend the day with a friend making applesauce...all day. My friend, Sarah, got a really good price on some apples and it's so much more fun to make/can applesauce together, we just made a day of it.
We started with about 200 pounds of apples - yep, 200 pounds. AND I still brought home another 20 pounds of apples that we didn't can.
So, after lots of chopping and cooking and squishing and pouring - we came out with these beautiful jars of applesauce.
We then turned our attention to apple pie filling. I had never canned apple pie filling before. I've frozen apple pie filling, but canning is a little different. It requires the use of this stuff called "Clear Gel" in order to get the right consistency and preserve it properly. We set to work slicing the apples and immediately getting them in some treated water to keep them from browning. At the same time, we were boiling water to cook the apple slices in preparation for the cinnamon-y goodness we would immerse them in to can them.
Now to the Clear Gel - this stuff did not start out as our friend!! We were advised to add it a little at a time and whisk the heck out of it to keep it smooth. Well, my whisking needs some work but Sarah, a master, was whisking like crazy and...still lumpy! Ugh! So, we removed some of the bigger chunks and smoothed it out as much as we can (doesn't impact the taste - don't worry, we tested). The next batch, hmm, let's try a gravy shaker and mix the water and Clear Gel together. WRONG! Clear Gel expands with liquid so two shakes in and we had a huge lump of gel in the shaker. Ugh!! Whisk, whisk, whisk - fix that batch. Still tasted great. On to the last batch - hmm, why don't we mix the clear gel with all of the other dry ingredients (sugar, cinnamon, etc.) in a big gallon-sized bag and then add that mixture slowly to the liquid (water, apple juice, etc.) while whisking. VOILA! We've attained perfection in our apple pie filling. No lumps, great taste, and so pretty!
Our plan was to get this all done during the day and Samantha and I would leave around 7pm to get home by 9:30pm. Yeah, Sarah and I didn't finish our canning adventures until 3am. By that time, I was so tired and Samantha had been fast asleep for hours. So I curled up for a bit as well. Then it was up again at 6:30am to get home by 10am for a rehearsal at my house. Well, I made it home in time, but was exhausted the entire next day. In fact, I don't remember a lot of that day other that it was full of lots of Diet Dr. Pepper in an effort to keep me awake!
Thank you, Sarah! Canning alone just isn't the same! I'd trek over to Wenatchee to can with you any day! ;)
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| It was a beautiful drive to Wenatchee! |
We started with about 200 pounds of apples - yep, 200 pounds. AND I still brought home another 20 pounds of apples that we didn't can.
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| We had apples coming out our ears! |
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| See what I mean? Still ended up taking some apples home! |
So, after lots of chopping and cooking and squishing and pouring - we came out with these beautiful jars of applesauce.
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| Just a portion of our haul! |
We then turned our attention to apple pie filling. I had never canned apple pie filling before. I've frozen apple pie filling, but canning is a little different. It requires the use of this stuff called "Clear Gel" in order to get the right consistency and preserve it properly. We set to work slicing the apples and immediately getting them in some treated water to keep them from browning. At the same time, we were boiling water to cook the apple slices in preparation for the cinnamon-y goodness we would immerse them in to can them.
Now to the Clear Gel - this stuff did not start out as our friend!! We were advised to add it a little at a time and whisk the heck out of it to keep it smooth. Well, my whisking needs some work but Sarah, a master, was whisking like crazy and...still lumpy! Ugh! So, we removed some of the bigger chunks and smoothed it out as much as we can (doesn't impact the taste - don't worry, we tested). The next batch, hmm, let's try a gravy shaker and mix the water and Clear Gel together. WRONG! Clear Gel expands with liquid so two shakes in and we had a huge lump of gel in the shaker. Ugh!! Whisk, whisk, whisk - fix that batch. Still tasted great. On to the last batch - hmm, why don't we mix the clear gel with all of the other dry ingredients (sugar, cinnamon, etc.) in a big gallon-sized bag and then add that mixture slowly to the liquid (water, apple juice, etc.) while whisking. VOILA! We've attained perfection in our apple pie filling. No lumps, great taste, and so pretty!
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| So pretty! Yummy too, but so pretty!! |
Our plan was to get this all done during the day and Samantha and I would leave around 7pm to get home by 9:30pm. Yeah, Sarah and I didn't finish our canning adventures until 3am. By that time, I was so tired and Samantha had been fast asleep for hours. So I curled up for a bit as well. Then it was up again at 6:30am to get home by 10am for a rehearsal at my house. Well, I made it home in time, but was exhausted the entire next day. In fact, I don't remember a lot of that day other that it was full of lots of Diet Dr. Pepper in an effort to keep me awake!
Thank you, Sarah! Canning alone just isn't the same! I'd trek over to Wenatchee to can with you any day! ;)
Monday, September 17, 2012
New Hair
I decided to get my hair cut. My hair is so boring and most days, I just pull it up into a clip or a ponytail for the day. So, I opted for something a little different today. What do you think?
And when all was said and done, there was at least another full head of my hair on the floor! It was just a bit too short to donate this time, but oh my, there was a lot of hair there!
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| Side view |
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| Other side view |
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| Finished product - complete with bangs and everything (which I haven't had in YEARS!) |
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| Boy, it sure will feel different to wash my hair tomorrow without all of this! |
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Walking on Sunshine!
It was abnormally warm today!! No, that's an understatement, it was down right HOT out today. We Washingtonians are heat wimps...and snow wimps, and ice wimps...but we're really good with rain (just not driving in it!). Anyway, back to my point, it was uncomfortably warm today! I know I shouldn't complain. I really do love the sunshine! I could do without the humidity though. If only we could set the outdoor thermostat the same way we do inside our homes...
So, what do you do when it gets hot? You set up a kiddie pool! Ta da!!
After dinner, we set up this kiddie pool in the back yard for Samantha. She had a blast. I think she "swam" in it for almost two hours! When you think about it, this was really just an outdoor bath while wearing a bathing suit. I mean really, those are her bath toys with her in the pool! BUT there's something to be said for the cool water from the hose, being outside in the water, and cooling off as the sunny day wanes. Even after two hours she was not happy when it was time to go inside. Had I realized the house was still upwards of 84 degrees, I probably would have let her linger a bit longer in the pool.
Oh little Samantha, you are my sunshine!
So, what do you do when it gets hot? You set up a kiddie pool! Ta da!!
After dinner, we set up this kiddie pool in the back yard for Samantha. She had a blast. I think she "swam" in it for almost two hours! When you think about it, this was really just an outdoor bath while wearing a bathing suit. I mean really, those are her bath toys with her in the pool! BUT there's something to be said for the cool water from the hose, being outside in the water, and cooling off as the sunny day wanes. Even after two hours she was not happy when it was time to go inside. Had I realized the house was still upwards of 84 degrees, I probably would have let her linger a bit longer in the pool.
Oh little Samantha, you are my sunshine!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Heck of a Way to Start a Week!
Welcome to my Monday morning!
That's right, it started off with a very flat tire (the gauge wouldn't even register the tire pressure, that's how low it started!). Why is it flat? Who knows, but I fully expect that when I leave work, I'll be out there airing it up again. Oh goody - now it's raining.
The only thing that could make this day worse, a trip to the dentist! Oh wait, that's this afternoon!
...sigh...Can we go back to Saturday?
That's right, it started off with a very flat tire (the gauge wouldn't even register the tire pressure, that's how low it started!). Why is it flat? Who knows, but I fully expect that when I leave work, I'll be out there airing it up again. Oh goody - now it's raining.
The only thing that could make this day worse, a trip to the dentist! Oh wait, that's this afternoon!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
If you throw out your back, can you get a new one?
Maybe it's one too many car accidents, maybe it's not working out enough, maybe it's sitting at a desk all day or carrying around a heavy computer bag, then again, it could be that gorgeous bundle of baby joy called Samantha that I carry around daily - no matter what the reason, my back is completely out of commission right now and I have to say, BACK PAIN IS THE WORST!!
I guess it's like that quote that essentially says that health is one of those things we take for granted...until it's gone! Ugh - it hurts to move, it hurts to sit, it hurts to bend, it hurts to stand, it hurts to breathe, but what hurts the most, wanting to pick up Samantha and not being able to right now. I hate being waited on, I hate not being able to do things for my family.
Pain, pain, go away, come again some other day - well, not really, just stay gone!!!
I know where I'm going this week, back to the chiropractor!! Enough of this!
I guess it's like that quote that essentially says that health is one of those things we take for granted...until it's gone! Ugh - it hurts to move, it hurts to sit, it hurts to bend, it hurts to stand, it hurts to breathe, but what hurts the most, wanting to pick up Samantha and not being able to right now. I hate being waited on, I hate not being able to do things for my family.
Pain, pain, go away, come again some other day - well, not really, just stay gone!!!
I know where I'm going this week, back to the chiropractor!! Enough of this!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mary Poppins - The Musical
Eddie won some tickets from work to go see Mary Poppins - The Musical at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. I was expecting, "Free tickets? Ok, probably up on the 3rd Mezzanine, but so what, they're free!" Nope, these tickets were main floor tickets - fantastic seats to see a fantastic show!
Now, not to leave our title character out - Mary Poppins was truly remarkable! A close second to, "Step in Time" would be a tie between, "Feed the Birds," and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (wow, did I spell that right?). We were so impressed with the entire Company and the sets at this performance.
To top off the night, Mary Poppins "flies" away out over the crowd with her magic umbrella! Did I just give away the ending? Nah, you knew the story already. ;)
If you get the opportunity to see this show - take it. If not - make the opportunity! It's in Seattle through May 29th. Be prepared, the show is a bit long (just under 3 hours with intermission) but well worth the time and money!
Enjoy your "jolly holiday with Mary!"
We had so much fun - I think my favorite song was, "Step in Time," and it was all because of the dancing. The guy playing Bert was a fabulous tap dancer, but I was so amazed when he walked up the wall of the theatre, started singing and tap dancing upside down on the ceiling and then walked down the other side!!
Now, not to leave our title character out - Mary Poppins was truly remarkable! A close second to, "Step in Time" would be a tie between, "Feed the Birds," and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (wow, did I spell that right?). We were so impressed with the entire Company and the sets at this performance.
To top off the night, Mary Poppins "flies" away out over the crowd with her magic umbrella! Did I just give away the ending? Nah, you knew the story already. ;)
If you get the opportunity to see this show - take it. If not - make the opportunity! It's in Seattle through May 29th. Be prepared, the show is a bit long (just under 3 hours with intermission) but well worth the time and money!
Enjoy your "jolly holiday with Mary!"
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Ode to a Harry Potter Weekend
Every couple months or so, ABC Family has their "Harry Potter Weekend." It just means they show all of the HP movies they've bought viewing rights for, this time, #1-5, back-to-back all weekend long. Now, we own all of the HP movies that have been released, #1-6, but there's something more exciting when it's on television. We like having background noise in our house anyway, whether it's television or music, and what I like about the HP movies is that I don't have to worry about content.
Yep - so guess what was playing in my house ALL weekend - Harry Potter! I don't think I saw any one of the movies all the way through but it doesn't matter - just having Harry Potter on was magical. :) Thank you, ABC Family!
By the way, Harry Potter #7 part 1 comes out on Blu-Ray / DVD in less than a month...and part 2 comes out in theaters in July. So excited - I don't know what it is, I just love the Harry Potter movies!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Peaches, peaches, and more peaches...
Summer time = fresh fruits and vegetables = making jam and canning.
Last year, we bought 50 lbs. of peaches and canned half of them, made freezer jam with the other half. This year we again bought 50 lbs. of peaches but canned them all. That's right, in a matter of 4 hours or less, I cleaned, blanched, peeled, sliced, pitted, and 'jarred' all of the peaches. I followed up that act by adding simple syrup to all jars, sterilizing the lids, and finished preparing all jars for sealing. Sealing the jars is not my favorite part...I left that for Eddie! :)
Finally, with a 97% success rate (one jar didn't seal, so it just went in our fridge and we ate those peaches :) we ended up with
The best part of all of this? A co-worker had given Missi some canning jars and since she doesn't do any canning, she gave them to me! There were almost 50 quart jars and several pint/jelly jars. Yay - means all I needed to buy were lids and some rings! Thanks, Missi!! :)
Next project, making lots and lots of raspberry and strawberry jam!
Oh, if only I had the time...maybe in a few weeks, you know, after Missi's wedding! ;)
Last year, we bought 50 lbs. of peaches and canned half of them, made freezer jam with the other half. This year we again bought 50 lbs. of peaches but canned them all. That's right, in a matter of 4 hours or less, I cleaned, blanched, peeled, sliced, pitted, and 'jarred' all of the peaches. I followed up that act by adding simple syrup to all jars, sterilizing the lids, and finished preparing all jars for sealing. Sealing the jars is not my favorite part...I left that for Eddie! :)
Finally, with a 97% success rate (one jar didn't seal, so it just went in our fridge and we ate those peaches :) we ended up with
30 quarts of peaches!!
The best part of all of this? A co-worker had given Missi some canning jars and since she doesn't do any canning, she gave them to me! There were almost 50 quart jars and several pint/jelly jars. Yay - means all I needed to buy were lids and some rings! Thanks, Missi!! :)
Next project, making lots and lots of raspberry and strawberry jam!
Oh, if only I had the time...maybe in a few weeks, you know, after Missi's wedding! ;)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Winter Solstice and T-4...
The shortest "day" of the year...I find it ironic that it happens to fall on a Monday this year, the start of another long week of work. Thankfully, it's only a 3-day week this week!
It also means that Christmas is only 4 days away!!! I think we're in a good place though. Most of the shopping and even wrapping is done. Of course we still have Christmas cards and packages to send, so it will be a busy evening. Besides that, I lay awake last night trying to figure out how much baking is in store for me this week. We traditionally bake up some goodies and take them to neighbors and friends. Hmm, looks like we'll have to divide and conquer - Eddie on the Christmas cards (well, at least addressing the envelopes) and me baking up a storm in the kitchen!
I love Christmas!
It also means that Christmas is only 4 days away!!! I think we're in a good place though. Most of the shopping and even wrapping is done. Of course we still have Christmas cards and packages to send, so it will be a busy evening. Besides that, I lay awake last night trying to figure out how much baking is in store for me this week. We traditionally bake up some goodies and take them to neighbors and friends. Hmm, looks like we'll have to divide and conquer - Eddie on the Christmas cards (well, at least addressing the envelopes) and me baking up a storm in the kitchen!
I love Christmas!
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