Cool Morning

It was 71 degrees when we woke up this morning in south Mississippi.  I am grateful for the break in the weather.  The garden has gone wild, given over to the insects and weeds for now.  I canned 20 quarts of tomato sauce this past weekend.

This is my sock yarn blanket that I have been using what is left from my skeins of socks I have made in the past. My daughter has her eye on this one.  She likes boho decorating.  It is coming along slowly and will be put away for a while when I start on my Christmas projects.  

Now I know this looks like a stick but I purchased the L hook from Shady Groves on Etsy.  I have been contemplating making my own someday but I like to buy unique hooks from other people.  My husband brought me tree branch, more like a small log, and said "Here, I got you a crochet hook". He's a funny guy.  I am not using this to make this blanket, I am hoping to use a heavier yarn with this.  It is a beautiful hook.

Have a great day!

Hello

It's been busy around here!  Had to make another trip to Kansas City for business and I was able to make a trip to see my granddaughter.  We were put up at the Westin, this was my view:

I bought another pen and bottle of ink, of course!

Then we went to see our granddaughter who is laughing and babbling.  She is pictured here babbling to my husband.

Here she is babbling to this thing I bought her.

And this is how she looks at me LOL.

That's OK, I know I am secretly her favorite.

My mom gave me a Christmas present early.

I am not the greatest seamstress in the world but my old machine was always giving me a problem and I was giving myself a headache comparing features of different machines and prices.  I decided on a more economical machine and honestly it sews like a dream.  It made me feel I wasn't so bad after all!  I have made a dress and blouse already no pictures yet.  Thanks mom!

Just so you know I haven't been slacking on the home front, I recently canned 20 quarts of tomato sauce.  They are hidden from the college students so they don't take off with all of them.

We recently made a trip north of us to see college student number 3 sing in the choir.  We went to eat first and she picked the place.  This is why:

Yes I tried it, I am sure we have diabetes after this. 

Our local high school did an amazing job in a production of Prometheus Bound.  My son is on the right.  It took them to the Drama Fest competition where they did a fantastic job.  I am amazed at all the lines they had to remember.

Be back soon!

Relish

While on the way back from the weekly food shopping trip my husband asked me when was the last time I canned relish.  It had been a while due to the decrease in garden size most relishes are made with cheap ingredients.  My neighbors behind us have a huge garden and they are done picking in June regardless of what continues to grow so we are able to glean from them.  People at church, the local farmers market and a man who comes to my work with flats of fruits and vegetable should be able to see us through also until we increase the garden again.  

Zucchini Relish (two days) 6pts

10 cups peeled and finely chopped small zucchini

6 - 8 bell peppers seeded and finely chopped

4 large onions or 6 small finely chopped

1/2 cup salt

2 1/2 cups white vinegar

4 cups white sugar

2 T cornstarch

1 t ground nutmeg

1 t turmeric

2 t celery seed

1/2 t ground black pepper

Put all your chopped vegetables in a stainless steel bowl or a crockery bowl.  Cover with salt and place a weighted plate on top to keep them in the brine.  Let sit overnight.

Rinse in cold water and squeeze out excess liquid by hand.  Mix your cornstarch and seasonings and add to the white vinegar in a large pot.  Heat until boiling and once the sugar has dissolved add vegetables and simmer for 30 minutes.

Pour into clean, hot, sterilized jars and process for 10 minutes in water bath canner (185F). Complete seals.