I've checked (and re-checked) the shipping confirmation and it looks like my first kit should be here either tomorrow or the next day! Take a look:
Monday, March 21, 2011
Soap Soap Soap!
I have been on such a soap kick lately! I just can't believe how hard of a time I've had trying to find suppliers close to where I'm at! I guess I'll just have to stick with online ordering and crazy shipping fees until I can get home in June...hope my mother-in-law is ready for a shopping trip ;)
I've checked (and re-checked) the shipping confirmation and it looks like my first kit should be here either tomorrow or the next day! Take a look:
The kids are so excited about the Soap Tarts! They smell like strawberry too! Can't wait to see if mine turn out as well....and should they......it's only the beginning ;) Check out these Soap Pops from Debbie's www.soapylove.com site!
I just can't wait to get started!
I've checked (and re-checked) the shipping confirmation and it looks like my first kit should be here either tomorrow or the next day! Take a look:
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Oh Marmalade, How I Loathe Thee...
Okay, another thing about me. I'm horrible at making preserves. I know, I'm really setting myself up for a bad track record here....bad gardner, bad preserver....don't worry! My kids are fine!
My first attempt was cherries. It could be called a glaze, or rather yet a syrup. I chose to call it 'bad'.
Then there were the strawberries. I thought I had learned my lesson (no pectin = disaster) and added some pectin. Don't ask me how much I put in, I've blocked the memory. I do, however, know how they invented Fruit Roll-ups. DH kindly pointed out that at least it tasted really good as he chewed it off a knife.
We threw those jars away when no amount of soaking/prying could get the stuff out.
So my hopes weren't very high for my huge box of tangelos bought from the FFA that were going to ruin any day. But two things were at work here. I really don't like to throw away food and I really really wanted to be able to make my own preserves! Apparently it's a matter of pride for me. More on that later.
Three.
That's how many sets of lids I have bought for this darn marmalade because that's how many times I had to process it! I won't mention where I found the recipe, but lets say it didn't persuade me to go vegan. I made the first batch- which might I add took HOURS and sooo many dishes! Again- picture the DH face.
It still 'slooshed'. Even after the two weeks the recipe said it might take to set up.
So I reprocessed and added a box of pectin. It still looked questionable, so I added half of another box for good measure.
Still 'slooshage'.
So, resigned that I could only put so much money into these tangelos and only handle so much embarassment, I hit the internet. This site SAVED my jelly!!
http://www.pickyourown.org/how_to_fix_runny_jam.htm
I could feel myself nodding my head as I read, like a hypochondriac listening to a comercial for Lunesta. Runny? Yes! Frustrated? YES!
So I took a chance and bought more lids. Buying lids for me now is like taking vows. And I bought more pectin too...that's like pre-marrital counceling :D
I am proud to say I am now the owner of 12 full pints of gorgeous, delicious tangelo marmalade. Born on Sunday March 13th at 5:02 - 5:55 p.m. and taking up the entire sink full of dishes. So don't be shocked when I don't hand out this orange gold and I make you lick your spoon.
You've been warned.
P.S. I did share a jar with my friend whom I bought the tangelos from. Nevermind that I wrapped it in four layers of bubble wrap before leaving it in her locker...
My first attempt was cherries. It could be called a glaze, or rather yet a syrup. I chose to call it 'bad'.
Then there were the strawberries. I thought I had learned my lesson (no pectin = disaster) and added some pectin. Don't ask me how much I put in, I've blocked the memory. I do, however, know how they invented Fruit Roll-ups. DH kindly pointed out that at least it tasted really good as he chewed it off a knife.
We threw those jars away when no amount of soaking/prying could get the stuff out.
So my hopes weren't very high for my huge box of tangelos bought from the FFA that were going to ruin any day. But two things were at work here. I really don't like to throw away food and I really really wanted to be able to make my own preserves! Apparently it's a matter of pride for me. More on that later.
Three.
That's how many sets of lids I have bought for this darn marmalade because that's how many times I had to process it! I won't mention where I found the recipe, but lets say it didn't persuade me to go vegan. I made the first batch- which might I add took HOURS and sooo many dishes! Again- picture the DH face.
It still 'slooshed'. Even after the two weeks the recipe said it might take to set up.
So I reprocessed and added a box of pectin. It still looked questionable, so I added half of another box for good measure.
Still 'slooshage'.
So, resigned that I could only put so much money into these tangelos and only handle so much embarassment, I hit the internet. This site SAVED my jelly!!
http://www.pickyourown.org/how_to_fix_runny_jam.htm
I could feel myself nodding my head as I read, like a hypochondriac listening to a comercial for Lunesta. Runny? Yes! Frustrated? YES!
So I took a chance and bought more lids. Buying lids for me now is like taking vows. And I bought more pectin too...that's like pre-marrital counceling :D
I am proud to say I am now the owner of 12 full pints of gorgeous, delicious tangelo marmalade. Born on Sunday March 13th at 5:02 - 5:55 p.m. and taking up the entire sink full of dishes. So don't be shocked when I don't hand out this orange gold and I make you lick your spoon.
You've been warned.
Well, here goes!
Alright. Let me say right off the bat, I'm not real sure if this will work for me or not! I have come to the realization I've got some serious ADD kicking or something- I'm completely and totally into one thing one day, but it might be something completely different the next! Let me just tell you how much my husband loves that ;)
This all started a few months ago. I always get the itch about halfway through winter to start planting. Am I a great gardener?
No.
Way.
My mother and grandmother could grow anything- I pick on my mother relententlessly for snapping a bloom of a plant we walk by at random, but a few months later she's showing me her new creation. Hysterical, but a little disappointing. I was hoping that would be genetic or something. But no, I'm such a black thumb my husband once told me it concerned him that I took care of our children. I thought my response was pretty logical- "They tell me when they're thirsty." I honestly replied. Apparently it didn't make him feel any more confident.
But this year something was differnt. Normally, when i begin hatching my next plan, my husband gives me 'that look'. You know the one. The head cocked slightly to the side, one eye narrowed and a look of warry suspicion as that little hampster on the wheel in his head comes to a screeching halt, sitting down with his little calculator and figures up how much this one is going to cost him. This time though, he agreed. (I'm assuming you all took a collective gasp for me right there)
So, at this point I figure I'm approximately 4-5 weeks into this 'farming' endeavor and probably at about a 70%......okay, 65%-ish success rate. The seranno peppers and jalapenos are just starting to come up, the basil and onions are doing ok (finally). The alyssum is going crazy and the fat cat (formerly know as Scraps) has squished my hollyhocks that WERE doing amazing. 'Were' being the operative word. At this point, to be honest the tomatoes are the only thing saving my reputation. I don't think they understand the pressure they're under- this is about them making it, or DH being right! For God's sake grow!!
The weather is certainly not working for me either. I am officially to the point of getting angry about being cold all the time. The poor plants can't even go outside yet because of the alternating wind/rain/freezing cold. I am sooooo ready for spring!
This all started a few months ago. I always get the itch about halfway through winter to start planting. Am I a great gardener?
No.
Way.
My mother and grandmother could grow anything- I pick on my mother relententlessly for snapping a bloom of a plant we walk by at random, but a few months later she's showing me her new creation. Hysterical, but a little disappointing. I was hoping that would be genetic or something. But no, I'm such a black thumb my husband once told me it concerned him that I took care of our children. I thought my response was pretty logical- "They tell me when they're thirsty." I honestly replied. Apparently it didn't make him feel any more confident.
But this year something was differnt. Normally, when i begin hatching my next plan, my husband gives me 'that look'. You know the one. The head cocked slightly to the side, one eye narrowed and a look of warry suspicion as that little hampster on the wheel in his head comes to a screeching halt, sitting down with his little calculator and figures up how much this one is going to cost him. This time though, he agreed. (I'm assuming you all took a collective gasp for me right there)
The weather is certainly not working for me either. I am officially to the point of getting angry about being cold all the time. The poor plants can't even go outside yet because of the alternating wind/rain/freezing cold. I am sooooo ready for spring!
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