Friday, November 5, 2010
She's Engaged!!!
So I can finally talk about this, because the ring is actually on Heather's finger. Meet Jared, the love of her life. I can't wait to meet him myself! They are coming for Christmas, and he gets to meet the whole crazy family. I think Heather has properly informed him about us, and since they live all the way across the country, I don't think he cares!!! Just kidding, sorta. It's always a little scary to meet the family of someone you care deeply about, but other than David taking him out shooting, it should be a nice casual week.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ohio from the Alleghany and Monongahela
I'm back from Pittsburgh! It was a great trip, Heather had a 5 star hotel already booked, since she was there for work. We just changed it to a double queen- it was a fabulous room at the Omni William Penn Hotel, right downtown. It had a sitting room with 2 cushy chairs, a love seat, entertainment center; also had a work desk, which was good, because Heather was working and needed it!
I got to sleep in, watch TV and eat bon-bons! Well, snacks anyhow, if not actually bon-bons. When her classes were over, we went shopping. There's a mall north of Pittsburgh, and we took a taxi there. Our first taxi driver was in shorts, short sleeve shirt and had the AC on, while we were dressed in coats, boots and gloves. He raved on an on about how the Ohio river starts from the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers; technically the Ohio should be called the Alleghany, since it is the strongest river of the two. And... the Ohio dumps into the Mississippi as the strongest river, so actually the Mississippi should be called the Ohio, IF the powers that named them had followed protocol! Really- that took most of the 20 minute trip...
Pittsburgh proper is mostly vertical, which triggers my claustrophobia something fierce. I walked out of the hotel the first time, looked up into the forest of skyscrapers and nearly had a panic attack. I focused on watching the building doors and windows, and didn't look up much after that. There's a reason I live in small towns or in the country- downtowns make me crazy! But it was an interesting place. There was a little 7-11 right downtown that we picked up a couple gallons of water, because I am a water snob. We found a chinese food place not too far away, and enjoyed eating out a few days. We ate lunch at the hotel the 1st day, and paid $15 each! Once was enough, so I started asking for places to eat, and people were very friendly and nice about helping us out.
There were still fall colors there, and it was beautiful! I brought my camera, and when I first took a picture, I realized that I left the camera card in my computer at home, so no pics of this trip. duh!
I got to sleep in, watch TV and eat bon-bons! Well, snacks anyhow, if not actually bon-bons. When her classes were over, we went shopping. There's a mall north of Pittsburgh, and we took a taxi there. Our first taxi driver was in shorts, short sleeve shirt and had the AC on, while we were dressed in coats, boots and gloves. He raved on an on about how the Ohio river starts from the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers; technically the Ohio should be called the Alleghany, since it is the strongest river of the two. And... the Ohio dumps into the Mississippi as the strongest river, so actually the Mississippi should be called the Ohio, IF the powers that named them had followed protocol! Really- that took most of the 20 minute trip...
Pittsburgh proper is mostly vertical, which triggers my claustrophobia something fierce. I walked out of the hotel the first time, looked up into the forest of skyscrapers and nearly had a panic attack. I focused on watching the building doors and windows, and didn't look up much after that. There's a reason I live in small towns or in the country- downtowns make me crazy! But it was an interesting place. There was a little 7-11 right downtown that we picked up a couple gallons of water, because I am a water snob. We found a chinese food place not too far away, and enjoyed eating out a few days. We ate lunch at the hotel the 1st day, and paid $15 each! Once was enough, so I started asking for places to eat, and people were very friendly and nice about helping us out.
There were still fall colors there, and it was beautiful! I brought my camera, and when I first took a picture, I realized that I left the camera card in my computer at home, so no pics of this trip. duh!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sports and rentals
More soccer pictures! There's nothing more fun than watching 4-5 year old's play soccer. One of the Sharks' Mom made the girls matching ponytail holders, so they looked very cool! The kids have all improved a lot since last year, it's amazing to watch their progress.
Mom and I are sitting here watching the morning news. This has been such a busy, crazy month, and it's nice to sit quietly for a little bit. We've been working like mad on the rental, and we're getting close to being done. The painting, tiling and new carpet is complete, now we need to get the new toilets in and finish plumbing the shower and kitchen sink. Whew! I'm mostly supervising everything, but it's still a lot of stress. Hopefully we can get it rented for November.
Mom showed up last Friday. The joke in our family is we never know she's coming until she drives into the driveway. My Mom loves to travel, and isn't held to schedules or plans; when she's ready to travel she just takes off. Her motorhome is loaded for traveling all the time, so it takes little effort to cruise. I love having her visit, she should be here a week or so.
Mom and I are sitting here watching the morning news. This has been such a busy, crazy month, and it's nice to sit quietly for a little bit. We've been working like mad on the rental, and we're getting close to being done. The painting, tiling and new carpet is complete, now we need to get the new toilets in and finish plumbing the shower and kitchen sink. Whew! I'm mostly supervising everything, but it's still a lot of stress. Hopefully we can get it rented for November.
Mom showed up last Friday. The joke in our family is we never know she's coming until she drives into the driveway. My Mom loves to travel, and isn't held to schedules or plans; when she's ready to travel she just takes off. Her motorhome is loaded for traveling all the time, so it takes little effort to cruise. I love having her visit, she should be here a week or so.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Pie Filling recipe
I received permission from Jenny Evans to print a summary of her marvelous apple pie filling, which is designed to be bottled for future use. See other recipes at her blog- http://www.jennyevansdunham.com/blog/
Sterilize jars and lids, either in the dishwasher or in boiling water bath for 10 minutes. You can leave the heat on low once it has boiled to keep jars warm.
Peel, core and slice 6 quarts of apples. There is an appliance that is simple to use and does all 3 at once. I found one at Ace hardware.
Make the sauce for the filling (recipe below)
Pull jars from water, and pack with apples while they're still hot. Use a knife to adjust the apples in the jar, packing them tightly.
Pour the hot liquid sauce in the jars, using a canning funnel to within 3/4" of the rim.
Swipe around the edges of the jars, and run the knife down the edges to make sure the liquid covers all the apple slices completely, and to remove air bubbles. Shaking the jar slightly can also help in this step.
Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth and tighten lids.
Process jars in either a boiling water bath or steam canner for 20 minutes, longer for high-altitude, up to five minutes more.
Remove jars with tongs and place on a folded towel to cool. Cover them with another towel. The jars should seal within 24 hours. Do not store if they aren't sealed, but any unsealed jars can be used immediately.
Pie Sauce
1-2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
9-11 cups water, depending on thickness of sauce desired
1 tsp lemon juice
In large pot, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and water. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Boil 1 minute and add lemon juice. Allow to cool slightly before pouring over the apple slices.
The 20 minute processing cooks the apples, and they are ready to be used for apple pie, cobbler or apple crisp. They are also delicious poured over vanilla ice cream!
Sterilize jars and lids, either in the dishwasher or in boiling water bath for 10 minutes. You can leave the heat on low once it has boiled to keep jars warm.
Peel, core and slice 6 quarts of apples. There is an appliance that is simple to use and does all 3 at once. I found one at Ace hardware.
Make the sauce for the filling (recipe below)
Pull jars from water, and pack with apples while they're still hot. Use a knife to adjust the apples in the jar, packing them tightly.
Pour the hot liquid sauce in the jars, using a canning funnel to within 3/4" of the rim.
Swipe around the edges of the jars, and run the knife down the edges to make sure the liquid covers all the apple slices completely, and to remove air bubbles. Shaking the jar slightly can also help in this step.
Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth and tighten lids.
Process jars in either a boiling water bath or steam canner for 20 minutes, longer for high-altitude, up to five minutes more.
Remove jars with tongs and place on a folded towel to cool. Cover them with another towel. The jars should seal within 24 hours. Do not store if they aren't sealed, but any unsealed jars can be used immediately.
Pie Sauce
1-2 cups sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
9-11 cups water, depending on thickness of sauce desired
1 tsp lemon juice
In large pot, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and water. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Boil 1 minute and add lemon juice. Allow to cool slightly before pouring over the apple slices.
The 20 minute processing cooks the apples, and they are ready to be used for apple pie, cobbler or apple crisp. They are also delicious poured over vanilla ice cream!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
