Sacred Heart Brooch WIP...

I almost finished it. All I have left to do to complete the Sacred Heart Brooch is to stitch the crown of thorns and add the pin back to make it wearable. I'll do that today, so the next time you see it, it will be complete.

I'm getting therapy for my hand - although it still hurts. Even so, I can stitch and do other work, so I'm not debilitated. I'm not complaining. I'm only sharing a no progress report.

Tag will be here tomorrow, while I'm away. I'll let him tell you where I am and what I'm up to. I'm sure he and the barn (that's a joke!) ladies can hold down the fort in my absence. I'll be back on Wednesday with a finished brooch.

I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend. I spent Sunday as a guest of the parents of our elder daughter-in-law (#1 Son) and family. Great food, great people, and lots of fun. The only way it could have been better would have been if Handsome had been there, too. I know he was in good company with Florida friends, but I'm looking forward to him being home soon. 

I have a busy day planned, so I'll say goodbye for now. Coffee, critters, and completing my needlework project. See you again on Wednesday!

Sunday Scripture - Easter Sunday...

John 11: 25-26

 

Restocking The Pantry...

 

I've kept dried beans in the pantry for some time. I almost never used them because whenever I pulled them out, I realized I was supposed to soak them for 10-12 hours to get them ready to use. I'd often simply return them to the cupboard and grab something else.

I came across recipes to can beans, and it seemed both simple and useful, so on Thursday I decided to put up the bags of dried beans that were already on my shelf. The whole process was insanely simple, and once prepared, they have to go into a pressure canner because there's no acid in the recipe.

My first batch yielded sixteen pints of pinto beans. Simply measure 100 grams (roughly 1/2 cup) into clean jars; top with boiling water - leaving 1" headspace - wipe rims of jars with white vinegar; add lids and rings, and process in the canner for 75 minutes at 11 psifor our altitude (per pressure canner directions).

Not only does it make for recipe-ready beans, but per jar there cheaper than purchasing canned pinto beans in the store.

While the pinto beans were processing, I prepared jars of chicken tenders (cold packed with only enough spring water to make sure the chicken would be covered with liquid when they came out of the canner), and garbanzo beans (chick peas) that I'll use to make hummus whenever I fancy it. As you can see, I finished with four pints of canned chicken and eight pints of garbanzo beans. 

I'm planning to get to Sam's Club soon to purchase bulk mushrooms, pineapples, and 14 bean dried beans to make ready to eat canned soups. I'll add some of our canned tomatoes instead of water for those. I also have a batch of hickory syrup on my list before Handsome gets back home.

Yesterday, I ran a few errands, saw my hand physical therapist, and came back home. I'm in the process of setting up my next embroidery project. I'll share more on that on Monday. Handsome called me to let me know the cookies arrived safely in Florida. (He was eating one when he called me.) They were a big hit for everyone, and I'm glad they got there before the holiday had passed! I'll be with family on Sunday, so here's wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend.