Day before yesterday neighbor Phyllis brought me a paper grocery bag half full (11.5 pounds) of grapes off the vines in her yard. Well the old waste not want not feeling kicked in so I set about to make jam yesterday morning. Starting around 10am and finishing last night after 11pm I am here to declare I’m glad grape ain’t my favorite flavor because it is a pain in the butt to make. 

The prep time with the grapes to be cleaned up and taken off the stems was the first clue that I wasn’t going to like the project.

Next the instructions said to place the grape between your thumb and index finger, squeeze the insides into one pan and place the empties skin in another.

I now swear that I have picked Blueberries that were bigger than these grapes.  I won’t bore you with the next steps.  I’m trying to remove them from my memory right now

No amount of anticipation of their flavor could equal to the work that is involved in prepping them to even start cooking the jam. 

This morning I put all the pots, bowls, measuring cups and assorted utensils away and have only to mop the kitchen floor.  Then all that will be left is 20 half pints of jam to go to the food room and the jobs not done yesterday to do today.

An update on my jobs to do before the third are as follows.
The yard has been cut (front and back).
The brush pile has been burned.
Brandy’s haircut is set up for next Tuesday.
There is also 31 half pints of raspberry jam that was made on Monday.

So now you know why I haven’t been around.  There is still much to be accomplished so I leave now to take the next step! 

Yesterday Les and Anne came to visit.  It was a two fold day.  He was here to install our new router, change some cables, and tweak the computers a bit.  Anne who had worked a double Saturday found a little rest on the sofa. When I knew they would be up I set about to make lasagna.  Add to that a green salad, No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake, and corn on the cob and the early birthday celebration for Les was complete.

It was a good time to give him his afghan. As I took the picture all I could think of was the sinister man in blue!  I do believe it was large enough!

Today Is daughter Cindy’s wedding anniversary and happy or not I feel it should be acknowledged.  13 years with someone is a long time to invest in keeping a life together from crumbling.  I love my daughter so I will not judge the situation. 

I see Dr. Hukill today for my pre op exam so I’m getting a bit excited about what is to come next. 

I must tell you a funny but yet annoying incident that has happened twice in the last week.  The first time I was awakened by hubby turning on the light on his side of the bed and asking what to do with the water.  I remember replying what water and he said the water he put his feet in.  Utterly confused I awoke a little more to try and digest what the heck he was saying.  In the meantime he proceeds to turn off the light and lay back down.  I swear there was a big question mark shining over my head! 

This morning I guess Molly needed to be on the opposite side of a door than the one she was on.  Upon returning to bed Jay touched my foot.  That was the the second wake up call which results in a trip to the ivory throne, finding my slippers, and starting my day an hour and a half earlier than what I had planned on.  Now I love my husband dearly but being wakened from a deep sleep is not a pleasant way to start the day.  I feel I should warn him that he is in danger of being attacked if this behavior continues. 

Well I have the washing, I started earlier, now in the dryer and with the clock reading eight minutes away from my original getting up time I think I’ll close.  I have a shower to take, a bowl of cereal to eat, and after dressing—a drive to Davison to take.  Have a good day!

It is 9:12 am, I have just finished going through my receipts for the last three and a half months looking for a piece of paper saying I had bought a box of 12 ounce jars.  I can remember thinking at the time they would be ideal to can Dilly Beans in.  I remember seeing a box of jars in the backseat area of the pickup. I also remember saying to myself at the time that I will take them in the house tomorrow.  Well yesterday we bought the green beans, the dill heads, and the cloves of garlic.  But a search of the truck, the basement level and the main floor of the dome yielded no such box of jars.  The search of receipts also came up empty.  I must have looked at that box and decided to wait on buying it or maybe I dreamed it.  But whatever happened I have to go out and purchase a box of 12 ounce jars this morning before I can.  It kinda shakes the tree of control when things like this happen. 

On Tuesday morning I went into the dealership to get an oil change because the light on the dash said it was due.  I also mentioned to Barry that when I go to brake the the steering wheel vibrates.  That proved to be the undoing of my day.  Over four hours and almost $200.00 later I arrived back home with still 26 or so peaches waiting on the dining room table to be made into jam.  I had taken my Fill It In book with me instead of my yarn and squares to work on and then determined I probably could have made a couple of squares in that time.  When I finally got back home Jay was coming in from dialysis and I needed to put lunch on the table.  No canning that day!

Wednesday morning we finally finished up the peaches.  Please check Jay’s Jammin’ on the 19th for the results,

Well yesterday the letter came telling me that my surgery is scheduled for September 3rd.  So now it dictates a number of things to do to prepare for it.
1. I must see my personal physician on Monday ( 8-24-09) for a pre-op exam.
2. I have to make sure I have food in for my all menagerie.
3. I also need to check the staples for us humans so I have a couple of days of not driving covered.. 
4. I have to bring daughter Cindy on board because as usual she is my chauffeur and companion on surgery day.
5. I have to mow the front half of the property twice and the back half once because tractor riding will be out for a little while. 
6. I have to notify a couple of people who don’t read my blog.
7. And the big one—get this place cleaned up and under control. 
But at least I will be taking a step forward instead of waiting and wondering. 

Dr. Vance said that if all goes well it will be outpatient.  He will remove the gall bladder and a fatty tumor that is just above that and below the rib cage.  Gee I wonder if I could talk him into removing some other fat around my body and maybe a little skin tightening while he is at it!  No that ain’t gonna happen!

My friend Pammie is celebrating (if my social calendar is correct) Earl’s and her 33rd wedding anniversary.  Please drop by Pammie’s Place and wish them well.  You might also wish a speedy recovery from her back problem too.

I have to tell you my humming bird was under the crab apple tree looking for the nectar when I went out to refill the other feeders Tuesday.  I hadn’t seen one in quite a while so I took that feeder down.  Needless to say I made a mad dash for the box of nectar mix, filled that feeder, and hung it back up.  Yesterday the bird was back and drinking.  While over visiting Phyllis, next door, I saw four of those birds at her feeder.  Now I need to get a picture if I can. I do love those little creatures!

Well I have to put on some shoes, brush my teeth, comb my hair, and go find some 12 ounce jars this morning.  Have a great day!

Sunday morning has passed and all I have to show for it is square # four of 25.

Checking the peaches yesterday revealed they were still not ready so I proceeded to work on the project.  This morning they are close but Jay has an appointment with Dr. Ross at 2:50pm so I’m tempted to let them set until I come home. 

We finally got rain yesterday afternoon so sleeping wasn’t bad last night.  It has rained most of the night so I opened the doors in hopes of catching a little cooler air before the sun shines.  Because of the rain mowing is out of the question this morning and the brush pile out back by the shed is too wet to burn. 

Tuesday morning I take the pickup in for an oil change and to have them check a vibration in the the steering wheel when I put on the brakes.

Well that is all for now.

I started in today to peel and cut peaches to put in syrup and peach pie filling.  I soon learn that the majority of the peaches weren’t ripe enough yet for a neat removal of the pit.  Consequently, as you can see, we still have about 2/3 of a table top left. 

But we have eight jars of peach jam and 16 jars of Peach Melba jam to show for our work today.

We will check the table top tomorrow morning to see if we can continue canning. 

I have mopped the sticky floor and cleaned up the top of the stove so now it is time for a bath and bed.  (Even though I had a nap this evening I’m still a little worn out.)

Take care and have a good Sunday.

What ain’t there is what counts!

Good morning!  Well I think the coffee table almost looks like one now.  Unread newspapers and grocery store ads at one end.  The Wally Lamb novel I started a while back at the other.  In the middle is the always required TV remote and beginning of the next square for my project. 

It looks like the peaches, on the dining room table, are about ready to go but I’ll wait until my expert gets up for the OK.  As soon as I have that I’ll start washing jars, changing the canning kettle water, filling the tea kettle, and setting up the kitchen counter for pouring fruit and jam into jars.  It is unfortunate that canning season is also the summer months but we do what we can when we can!  (No pun intended but kinda appropriate anyway.)  I hear the temperatures should be into the nineties.

Please go visit Jay’s Jammin’ for an update on canning in the dome.  The numbers were 16 jars of Balaton tart cherry jam, nine jars each of the red and black raspberries, and of course the cherry pie filling I mentioned in an earlier post.  Not to shabby I’d say!

Well the man is up so I guess I’ll get a decision shortly.  In the meantime stay cool. 

Just finished the last of 12 pints and 3 eight ounce jars of tart cherry pie filling.

That is the last of the cherries.  I took pictures for Jay’s blog but he hasn’t posted yet.  I promised to let him tell you about our three different jams we canned yesterday.

When you get busy canning things have a tendency to pile up.  There is a load of laundry on the coffee table to fold and put away and another in the dryer.  Oh well at least they are clean clothes. 

Poor Brandy—when Momma gets busy there ain’t nothin’ to do but lay you head down on your toys and sleep. 

What is this?

Why it is tomorrow project.  A bushel of peaches!  Gonna be busy tomorrow too.

…that was the question until I saw Dr. Vance today and learned my surgery will be scheduled sometime in in September.  At that time he will remove both the gall bladder and the fatty tumor.  He said it will be three to five days after the surgery to get the results on the gall bladder.  So I guess it is a hurry up and wait situation.

I guess I’d better find me some fruit to can in the meantime.

I now have three squares on the new project done and 22 to go!

It was tolerable in the dome yesterday as far as heat goes and today is the same—lucky us. 

I guess a Happy Birthday wish is in order for my grand daughter tomorrow.

You just have to add 16 more candles to that cake for Courtney’s true age.  I wish you a hundred more sweet girl!

Brandy discovered why the butterflies like the bush.  But after a couple of good sniffs she walked away.

Our day started at 6 am with a shower and a trip to Dr. Ross’ office.  The report was good.  She said Jay’s eye was doing much better than she expected.  But when I’m putting the drops in it the condition is a little scary.  But we have confidence in her and so it will look better.  Jay has to see her again next Monday. 

Last night I finished Les’ afghan.

It is 80 inches on a side and should be a good fit.  The next afghan will be the same colors but will be made up of 14 inch squares. 

This allows me to carry my work to the appointments and the hospital.  These are two of the 25 squares needed to complete the next project. 

Well my time is up so it is off to the kitchen to get my supper cooked .  Yes I know it is after 8 pm but sometimes things like bird cages, gathering the trash for collection for tomorrow, bathing Brandy, and of course visiting with you get in the way.  Remember to laugh a little.

I’ll let Brandy demonstrate how I have felt for the last five days.  Just all tired and twisted up with all the appointments and commitments.

Last Friday, as I wrote, Jay had his arm checked out again.  But I forgot to say that Dr. Webb said it was in very good shape.  After he dialized Friday he had a rough day Saturday but so did I.  I chalked it up to lack of sleep. Sunday we were almost back to normal but he still was having some issues.  Wednesday came along and it was another surgery. This time on the eye he had operated on at the end of May.  Dr. Ross said it went better than she expected. We went to her office this morning for the post op appointment every thing looks good.  He is having a little trouble with getting around and has fallen twice because he can’t look down.  Tonight he is trying to read a bit on the computer. 

While we were at Dr. Ross’ office this morning one of the women that works there brought back a jam jar to us and also a box of twelve brand new jelly jars to say thank you.  A very pleasant surprise that I thank her graciously for.  I have to wonder at some people’s kindness.

I had to show you the new blossoms on the bush in front of the utility room door.  I thought it was through blooming but these are on the new growth. 

The Rose of Sharon in front of the bedroom window has started blooming also. 

The canning is on hold until we find raspberries and peaches.  In the fall we are planning on using Michigan apples for Apple and Dutch Apple Pie jam.  We had canned a batch of each and they are delicious.  We also need to can more Rhubarb/Apple chutney, apple pie filling, and applesauce.  So we will be busy.

Hope all is well with you.