Happiness In A Small (-ish) Package...

You may notice a little something different in the pantry these days. I was spending way too much time watching a few camper-related reels on Instagram a few weeks ago and noticed a handy contraption one of the families had installed into their rig. I read through the comments until I found an answer to the question, "Where did you get that, and what's it called?". I followed links until I located the portable, countertop, mini dishwasher I'd seen in the video.

We don't have much counter space so we wanted to be sure of dimensions, etc. before jumping into a purchase. After doing a little research, Handsome and I decided we needed to order one. The best deal (and the unit that would fit into our space) is a Comfee™ Portable Countertop Mini Dishwasher. 

This one isn't plumbed, although it probably could be. It comes with a 5L built-in water tank that we fill before each use. There are six programs, 360º dual sprayers, 192º F high temperature and air-dry function. It's perfect for our needs. 

It easily fits dishware and silverware for two people, freeing up some sink time for us. Just load, add soap, and pick your setting. Oh, and we need to remember to place the drain hose into the sink, so we don't hose down the entire pantry.

You know we filled it and ran it within an hour! It works like a dream, and takes some of the pressure off Handsome and me when it comes to doing the dishes. I fully understand that I'm one lucky girl, and I just had to share my excitement. Thanks for jumping up and down with me.

Nothin' Says Lovin'...

If you're of a certain age, you'll know that the title of today's post is the beginning of the lyrics for an old commercial jingle for Pillsbury. I'm using part of it today because nothing makes me happier than seeing the expressions on the faces of loved ones when they enjoy something I've created with my own hands.

My husband thinks that my ability to create bread is a magical power. He enjoys watching me combine ingredients that transform into something he deems delicious. He's always grateful for my efforts, and I always feel so appreciated by his reactions.

I did what I said I was going to do today. I put up just over a pint of beautiful black raspberries into a tasty preserve, in between proof segments for the bread. I ended up with just shy of four 4 ounce jars of this beautiful mixture.

I also made four loaves, plus one shy of a dozen sesame rolls. I think there are grilled hamburgers in our near future. 

Everything was finished by 5 pm. I cleaned up and headed to town to watch Handsome's concert in the park, and when the beautiful evening of music was over, ran to the grocery store before coming home. Grocery shopping isn't as much fun lately. I look at the prices, knowing I'll cringe when the total is rung up. Between that and partially empty shelves, well...let's just say I'm looking more and more optimistically at having a garden for a full season next year.

Rather than concentrating on the end of the day, I'll instead happy dance all over the rest of my day. There's always something for which I'm grateful. That's what I'll focus on. 

A Gift...

It's easy to forget how blessed Handsome and I are to live where we do. Then, one day, you find a veritable bounty right outside your door. Such was the case this weekend. 

I was walking around the yard with my leashed Corgi at my side. He'd been dragging me all over tarnation and I was beginning to get a little cross with him. He really wanted to run, but the leash kept him in check. I figured the least I could do was let him explore to find just the right spot. He pulled me over to the old apple tree, and I'm so glad he did!

I've been neglecting the planting area between the apple tree and the large lilac bush for the past few years. I tell myself I need to cut back the weeds and tidy it up, but now I'm happy about that. If I'd been keeping it open, the birds wouldn't have planted seeds of their own, and I wouldn't have a volunteer black raspberry patch! It's abundant, too!

I stopped to pick and taste a few berries and found them to be very tasty, so after Tag was through with his meanderings, I took him back to the house and grabbed a bowl. I proceeded to pick until the bowl was full, and then went inside to see about a recipe for preserves.

I have a great cookbook I've told you about before called "Preserving By The Pint" by Marisa McClellan. I was tickled to find that she, indeed, had a small batch recipe for Black Raspberry Preserves. Based on the weight of the ripe berries I'd harvested, I can make two half-pint jars of preserves.

They've been cleaned and dried, so this morning, I'll make up the small batch while I'm waiting for my bread dough to rise. It won't take that long to make the preserves and I can water bath the jars between "stretching and pulling" my dough. Handsome has a concert in the park tonight, so I'll get everything done with time to spare.

By the end of the day, I'll have fresh loaves of bread, and preserves to spread on a few slices! The best part is that there are still lots of berries to ripen, and I'll be able to make more jam, while still leaving some behind for my feathered friends. After all, it's because of them that we have these beautiful berries in the first place.