Plum Tucker'd Out

I hope Fall is nearly over...............NOT!!!!

This week I have filled many a jar of good garden greatness.
Now I filled some with good Plum Tree greatness.

My neice, Krazy Keersten showed up on my doorstep this week.
The first thing out of her mouth was, "You're gonn'a hate me."

She couldn't be further from the truth.
She came bearing gifts.
Gifts she knew I would love and appreciate.

She brought me a box of sweet Plums.
She had showed the Plum tree to me when I was at her house early this fall.
She told me they couldn't be picked until the first freeze.
The freeze makes them sweet.
She was SO right!!!

These lucious beauties are so good.  And the color, WOW, just look at that color.  Who wouldn't want to jump into that?  This is my Plums washed.

Take one Plum at a time and cut it open with a sharp knife.

Becareful, because you can easily cut yourself.

Just ask me how I know.

Remove the tiny little stone which hides inside the sweet Plum.

Discard the tiny little stone.

I cut 28 cups of Plums.

I measured them after I cut them, not before.

I had to know how much I had so I knew how many batches of Plum Syrup

I would be making.

Place the cut up Plums in a big pot.

Eight cups is a batch.

Add sugar.

The recipe called for 4 cups of sugar but I only used 3 cups.

The Plums were sweet enough with that much.

We made one batch using Splenda

and I still only used 3 cups.

That batch was a lighter red, not as deep of purple.

Interesting, don't you think?

After the Plums boiled just a few minutes, just long enough to cook down to

a soupy state, then pour them into a strainer.

I love this old strainer.

My grandmother and my mon had one like this.

So I got one, and my girls have one.

It's a generation thing.

We love old things.

Use the round wooden mallet and turn it round and round in the strainer.

The skins stay inside the strainer and the juice flows out the

tiny little holes.

Pour the wonderful juice into another pot.

Hire a maid to come and stir the pot.

It takes a little time.

Be sure and stand on a foam mat.

It helps your arthritic knees from hurting at the end of the day.

While the juice is slightly boiling, so it will thicken,

be sure and sterilize your canning jars.

Remember the trick of doing it in an electric fry pan?

Be sure and put a dish cloth on the bottom of the fry pan so the

bottles won't rattle and break, and drive you nuts!

Throw your flat lids in there too.

You can, I said so.

Now, the magic has happened.

Plums have their own natural Pectin (that makes it thicken).

Just by boiling it, it becomes thicker.

Sorry about the blurry picture.

My camera wanted to focus on the steam.

Dumb camera.

You can't can steam.

You don't want to eat steam.

Dumb camera.

I have a maid.

She stirs for me.

She wears an apron that I made for her.

She is a very smart, talented, good, hard working maid.

I like having her at my becon call.

She is a good stirrer.

When you have your magic juice thick enough,

get your maid to laddle it into the sterile jars.

Be sure your maid wipes off the rim of the jars

before she puts on the flat lids.

My maid always remembers.

She is the best maid I have.

Then you put the jars in the big blue cannister and let them boil for 20 minutes.

While they are boiling, clean up your mess.

Or go and sit down and let your maid do it.

That is what I find works best for me.

However.

There is one problem with that.

You go and sit down, you rest, you relax.

You let your maid take the jars out of the canister.

She places them on the counter.

And you forget to take a picture of the finished product.

Now,

the sun has set.

I have no picture.

I will take one tomorrow.

Sorry.



Taylor Mt. and Wolverine

It is Wednesday.  Another hump day.  A day I didn't want to stay home. 

I am a homebody, so when I don't want to stay home, that is a big deal!  A very big deal!

"Hey, youngest daughter, do you want to go for a ride today."

"Not really."

"Well, get your shoes on, cuz we are.  And while you are at it, get a shovel.  I am going to get us some gloves and a couple of boxes."

Youngest daughter gives me a look......and then she says, "That doesn't sound like a DRIVE to me."

So, in my most pleasant mother voice I answer, "We are going to go for a ride, and just in case we see a potato field we can glean, we will need the boxes and a shovel and some gloves."

Now, without any interruption I am going to share a few of the 142 photos I took today.

Sagebrush, pine trees, quaken aspen, fields, ahhhhhh.

We even saw two phesants today.

A hen and a rooster.

They flew away when we tried to take a picture.

I love old fences and barbwire.

I love old barns, too.

I love the rolled straw on the farms and ranches.

The mountain side looked like a patch work quilt with grain and hay fields.

The sun is low in the southern sky, and the air is cool.

I am in heaven.

My sweet baby and I got out and took a zillion pictures.

Isn't she just the happiest person on earth!

I love this kid!

Yuck! 

There just are no manners outside of the city.

This guy should stick to licking salt blocks.



I can't believe our luck!

Are my eyes deceiving me?

Is that a real cowboy cow?

Isn't that just the prettiest sight you have ever seen?

 

"OH, look Baby Girl!  Some cowboys cows.

I never thought we would see this today!"

Look out ladies, there is a bull in town...

or rather, on the hillside.

I think he means business.

I told him I was sorry for taking his picture.

The cowboys said it was OK.

"Only $10.00 a picture" is what they said.

I am looking at the dogs, honey, honest!

Aren't they just the firmest dogs you have ever seen.

Don't they look great herding the cattle?

The dogs, honey, I am looking at the dogs.

It froze up here in the hills last night.

And some fool left the sprinkler on.

That fool probably saw cowboys cows in the neighborhood last night.

They must have lost there ability to consentrate on menial tasks.

On the left side you can barely see the sprinkler spitting out water.

These horse's made me think of the cowboys  dogs we saw earlier.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some more.

Just a few more horses, surrounded by beautiful fall colors.

They were running and putting on a show for us.

My Grandpa drove one of these on the county roads.

When I was little I always wanted to go to work with him.

He got to pack a lunch and be gone all day, just riding around.

Doesn't that sound like a great job for a grandpa?

The end.

That cow doesn't want the cowboy behind him.

He wants that cowboy out front,

so he can see what he is going to do.

I want that cowboy out front, too.

Really, this time I mean it...

The end.

First Frost

Good Morning!

It is 28 degrees in Sunny Idaho this morning.

I have on socks and slipper, sweat pants, and a long sleeve winter top.
I braved the below freezing temps and grabbed my camera and went out side early this morning.

The frost on the deck railing was like diamonds.  It looked so beautiful.  Camera can't pick up the sparkle like our eyes can.  This photo was taken directly into the sun.  The yard really isn't black.....just thought you might have been wondering where I had moved.

The gorgeous purple flowers are under the window in the front yard.  I love looking at them.  They don't look too bad yet this morning, but we will see how they do throughout the day.  I hope they are frost hardy and will continue to bring me joy.

These are also under the front window.  As the fall temps have been dropping each day the leaves have turned a little bit over the past few weeks.  I love watching them.

I have been playing with some of my photos on Picnik.  If you don't know what it is, "you can Google it", name the show where that line was used..!  Ghosts and goblins and spiders and fun stuff can enhance your photos.  I think this looks rather Halloweeney....ghosts, spiderwebs....Yeah!  I love this season.

There is definitely frost on my roses.  By the time the sun hits them, they will start to turn black.  Black roses for Halloween... ....   ....  that brings back a memory.

I remember when Oliver was about 8 years old he wanted to be a devil for Halloween.  We went to the store and bought him a plastic costume of a devil.  He was so proud of it. 

Finally, the big awaited day arrived.  When the sun went down, so did the temperature.  It was so cold!  We bundled the kids up in their winder coats and boots and gloves and then put their costumes over the coats.

Oliver walked outside and went about 30 feet, and CRACK...... his little costume broke into at the waist.  The plastic pants dropped down, but the top was okay.  He was so disappointed.  He made it to one house and then we took the pants off.  It was just too hard for him to walk with a broken costume.

I know that story has nothing to do with black roses, but red and black made me remember the Devil costume Oliver wanted.

In Arizona on Halloween, I used to sit outside on my lawn chair, in the driveway.  One of my kids usually joins me.  I dress up, and hand out candy.  Varce us usually working in another Plant Refueling Outage and misses Halloween every year.

Oliver joined me a few years ago.  He still had his really long hair.  He dressed up like a Musketeer!  He has the big hat and the bloomers with full legs.  He looked so awesome!  People asked where he bought his hair, because it looks so real.  He would laugh and tell them it was his own.  They were shocked!

Most of the kids in Glendale, Arizona get to trick or treat in little skimpy costumes.  Tutu's, ballerina costumes, and hookers.  The boys wear Spiderman and they sweat!  If some moms are foolish enough to buy the Lion from the Wizard of Oz....well, the kids don't last long with it on.  They are too hot!

Halloween has been a favorite of mine for years....no matter if it is 29 degrees or 92 degrees......

Happy Fall everyone!

Canning Chili Sauce

Today is a Monday.  It is a great Monday.  I woke up listening to my baby grandson talking to himself on my answering machine.  What better way to wake up?  There isn't one.

So with a smile on my face I headed to the kitchen.

You remember all the wonderful veggies I got at the Farmer's Market on Saturday?  Today they will end up in chili sauce.  My Darling loves Chili Sauce on Pot Roast, Scrambled Eggs, and many other things.  I make it about once every 4 years, and when I do I make as much as I can get done in a day.  It lasts us a while. 

Today, it Chili Sauce day, and I hope you like seeing the processes.

I already showed you the 1/2 bushel of fresh ripe tomatoes I bought. 

I washed them carefully.

Then I placed them in simmering hot water.

They stay there just a minute or two, until the skin on the tomato splits.



When I see the skin split I ladle the tomatoes out of the hot water and put them in ice water to quickly cool them down.  I want them to remain firm so I can skin them.

The tomatoes love being in the cold water to cool.  But don't leave them there too long or they go mushy.  I just get them cooled off and then drain them as soon as I can.

When they are cooled I use a paring knife and peel the skin off.
I save the skin to put in my compost.

When I have the lovely tomatoes skinned I quarter them.

I pile all the tomatoes in a big bowl and they take turns smashing each other down.  It doesn't matter if they are smashed, because they will soon be in "hot water" again.

Remember the dirty green peppers and the long chili peppers?
Well, I washed them.
I chopped them.
I ran out of them.
My daughter saw my plight and drove to the store for more green peppers for me.

And I washed and sliced the onions.
There are yellow onions and white onions from my neighbor Connie and Norman's garden.
They are fresh and pungent, and my hands smell now.
But I used my Food Processor to slice the onions for the Chili Sauce.
I just had to cut them smaller to fit in the tube thingy on the processor.
But I didn't mind, that was better than cutting the whole dang batch by hand.

One of the secrets to making Chili Sauce is the seasonings that are used.
Cinnamon sticks, mustard seed and whole cloves.
You can't believe what a difference they make to the sauce.

I use Cheese Cloth to put my seasoning in.
I tie them very tight into the cheese cloth so they make a little bag.

Then they simmer with the tomatoes all day..... 4 hours of blissful simmering to send the best aroma through the house, out the door, and to the neighbors open windows and doors (if they were open).

I also dissolve some sugar and salt in some Apple Cider Vinegar.  I heat it just enough to be sure everything is dissolved and then add it to the pot of simmering tomatoes and seasonings and onions and peppers.

This will simmer for 4 hours.  I stir every once in awhile to be sure it isn't sticking on the bottom.  It isn't, if the heat is just a simmer.  I have burned it before when I got impatient.  Don't get impatient.  This is too much effort to waste by being in a hurry.

So, while it is simmering, go out side.  See if it is raining.  See the Flags flying in the wind.  The Flags are out today because it is Columbus Day.  Check to see if your scare a crow has lost it's new witch hat.

Then come back into the house and stir your pot.  Rather, I came back into the house and stirred 3 pots.

In my case I have 3 pots.  If I am going to tend the stove for 4 hours I am going to make it worth my time.
I made 3 batches of Chili Sauce today.

Check the seasonings occasionally to be sure they are still tightly tied together.  You don't want that to break open.  You don't want whole cloves floating in your sauce.

When I was ready to get back to work I gathered more supplies.

I like to sterilize my bottles in an electric fry pan.  Nearly all the burners on the stove are being used, so it is easier to do it in an electric fry pan.

I add a little apple cider vinegar to the water so the minerals of the water won't leave a scum on the bottles and the lids. I don't use much. Just about a tablespoon or so.


I also put a dish cloth inside the bottom of the fry pan to protect the mouths of the bottles.  They can get to rattling somethin' awful if you don't give them a little cushion.

I put the flat lids in here too, so they can be sterilized and ready when I fill the bottles.

After 4 hours, and smelling my entire house with the fragrance that is simply divine, I am ready to ladle the Chili Sauce into the sterilized bottles.

Be very care, this stuff is hot!

Check the mouth of bottles to be sure they are clean, and no sauce has dribbled on the rim.  The bottle won't seal if they are messy.  So wipe a clean cloth on the rim of the bottle to be sure, and then place the flat lid on and screw the ring on tight.

When you have 7 or 8 bottles ready then put them in the water bath to processes.  Be sure the water covers the bottles with 2 inches of water.  You need the bottle immersed in the water to process properly.

The water should be hot and bottles are hot and the chili sauce is hot.  Slowly submerge the bottles.  Be careful to have each bottle standing upright.

I did the first batch in 1/2 pint bottles.  The rest are in pint bottles.
The 1/2 pint bottles make great gifts.  So I like to have a few on hand.

Cover the pot, bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.  If you are in a higher altitude the processing time must be increased to assure proper sealing.

When you are waiting for the "pot to boil" is the time to start cleaning the kitchen.  It gets a little messy. 
Now is the time to take the tomato skins out to the compost.

If you are thirsty, hydrate your wee body.  Now is the time to take of your self.

Then, before you know it, the timer will beep and the processing is completed.

Carefully remove the lid from the pot, keeping it away from you!  It is hot and steam is going to come out, so keep it away from your face and body.  Put the lid in the sink.

I use wooden spoons to get the handles of the rack out of the boiling water.  Then I carefully lift the rack up and secure it on the edge of the pot.

I have a clamp thingy that I put over the bottle neck and lift the bottle out and place it on a dish towel to cool.
I place the bottles about 1 inch apart so they will cool and seal properly.

It isn't long until the familiar "pop" sound is heard.

I do the happy dance and flip a dish towel in the air!  It is the best sound of the afternoon. 
My grand baby was the best sound of the morning.

Today I got 21 bottles.  Some are 1/2 pints and some are pints.  But they all look marvelous darling!  They all sealed.  They are all labeled and boxed back into the bottle boxes to take downstairs and be put on the shelves.

The shelves are getting more and more food on them. 
We have a food storage I am proud of.



Now, I have dishes to do, pots to scrub, and counters to wash off......

Where is my maid?