Cowboy Candy...

 

Four pounds of jalapeños became four half pints, plus two (half-half pint?) small jars yesterday. Handsome isn't fond of them, but I love their sweet heat addition to tacos, beef sandwiches, or burgers. I never add the extra red pepper flakes called for in the recipe, because it's usually way too hot for my taste when I do. 

The batch I grew last summer were really hot, plus I left the seeds when I canned them. Lesson learned. They were almost atomic hot, and while beautiful in the jars, they were demonic in food. This batch started with two large jars of milder, sliced jalapeños I purchased at the grocery store. I mixed up the ingredients for the sweet syrup and proceeded with the rest of the recipe. I could dip my finger in the remaining syrup (after the peppers had been cooked in it) and it was perfect for my taste. We'll see if that changes after they marinate in the jars for the next two weeks.

My last physical therapy session for my hand is today. The doctor is stumped, the PT isn't really making a difference, so I'll be on my own after this appointment. It's okay. I rest it when I can, and truthfully, I'm sick of running to the clinic twice a week when I'd rather be doing something anything else.When I get back home, I may sit and stitch a bit. My hand feels a bit better after the sessions, so I'll enjoy the short respite while I can.

Jeepers, it's Friday again! This time next week, Handsome and Carly will be home (where they belong). I'm smiling just thinking about it. I hope you have a great weekend, and that you get to do something you love with someone you love. See you tomorrow!

Strawberry Jam...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Kitchen Window View

Every morning brings another beautiful view from our farmhouse. The hollyhocks continue to open, now sporting five different colors. Where I thought there were only a buttery yellow, there is also a very pale peach, and then these beauties. Don't they make you smile? I can't look at them without feeling happy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Jam

The temps got into the high 80s again, so I got creative for our canning process. I have that lovely, big, electric Ball™ Water Bath Canner, so I took it out onto the porch and plugged it in for the final step in making the strawberry jam. All the water bath steam stayed outdoors. Everything else was done in the house.

When all was said and done, there were nine half pint jars and six pint jars of strawberry goodness. We'll certainly have jam until this time next year. I'm only planning to make raspberry jam yet this summer, as we have plenty of leftover grape, strawberry/rhubarb, lemon balm, and crabapple jelly to last a while. I didn't make the Cowboy Candy yesterday, so I'll probably do that over the weekend. When I've made that, I'll share my recipe with you, in case you'd like to make your own.

Brynwood Needleworks - Busy Little Hummingbirds

 

While I stood stirring the jam in the pot, I watched the industrious, little hummingbirds returning to the feeders. From the looks of this feeder, it's their favorite. I'm going to have to refill it today. 

I'll be weeding in the garden first thing today, and then Handsome and I will tackle the grass again. Man, it grows quickly when it's hot and sunny. If we don't mow today, we may need to bale it!

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday weekend. We'll be staying close to home. It's where we love to be.

 

July So Soon?...

Brynwood Needleworks - Illustration from Diary of a Country Woman

 

If temperature is any indication, it surely is July in Wisconsin. Sweet neighbor, Shelly, picked up strawberries for me from a local grower, so in spite of the heat, I'm going to be canning strawberry jam today.

 

While I'm at it, I'm also going to be canning up a batch of Cowboy Candy (candied jalapeños), too. In for a penny... Right? It's time to start working on this years' canning for winter goodness.

Thanks for your comments on the hollyhocks. I'm glad the beautiful flowers inspire others to plant them, and that they bring back fond memories for some of you. Just those thoughts make me smile.

 

I have multiple tomato and green pepper plants in the ground, too. They're filled with blossoms, so I'm hopeful for a nice harvest of those in late summer.

After all the canning is done and put away today, I'll be working on two new strawberry sachets. Both are gifts, and they'll be good practice for the flower designs I've chosen for them. I'll share more of them soon.

For now, I hope you're enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods. We're out even more than usual with this silly, smart puppy. Tag will have a video of her to share next week! You won't believe it. 

Have a great day and I'll be back tomorrow.

 

 

    -

Almost Always Busy...

Windfall Applesauce and Cowboy Candy

I've had so much else to share with you this week, that I didn't get to show you my two most recent canning projects.

Our old apple tree drops more fruit than it retains, but I just can't let it go to waste, so I pick up the windfalls and can the acceptable morsels. I pull out the stems, cut off the bruised parts and quarter the rest into the slow cooker. A few hours later, I put everything through the chinoise, add cinnamon and sugar, reheat and jar. Fifteen more minutes in the water bath canner and voila! 5 3/4 pints of Windfall Applesauce.

After the class reunion, the committee (of which I was one) split up the leftover condiments from the buffet meal. I opted to bring home the green peppers (which I froze), and the jalapenos. I had a plan.

I learned about Cowboy Candy in a Facebook canning group, and had to make some. It's actually candied jalapenos, after adding vinegar, sugar and a few spices. The usual task of cutting up the peppers was already taken care of. I ended up with four half pints of spicy, sweet heat. This will be served over cream cheese, with crackers. (There may be beer or margaritas involved, too, but I couldn't possibly comment on that!)

Male Monarch Butterfly

 

Handsome and I have had various appointments this week, and on one return trip we encountered this beautiful male monarch butterfly. We were almost home, and driving slowly up our road, when he flew into the path of the truck. 

 

When we got home, I went around to the front of the truck and there he was. Still alive, but a bit stunned. I held him in my hand to let him get his bearings, and then, as I walked him over to the milkweeds in our field, he lifted up off my hand and flew away. None the worse for wear, and making me grateful in the process. I was honored to hold a miracle in the palm of my hand...another gift from the farm.