Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage
The Yin and Yang of Thankfulness
Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Warmth of Colors and Giving

I had such a wonderful time this year canning. I made old favorites like apple saucepeach and blueberry jam, wet walnuts. Then I tried new recipes like Holiday Jam and Carrot Cake Jam thanks to talented canners that love to share! I was very pleased with a lot of the recipes I tried. I didn't get to try some I still intend to make. I made mini sprinkle packs and my kids and I assembled gift packs for our friends of "Make Your Own Sundaes" for Christmas gifts that included Maraschino cherries, wet walnuts, strawberry topping, waffle cone bowls and some jams. Below is one of the recipes we really enjoyed.


Carrot Cake Jam

1-1/2 cups finely grated peeled carrots
1-1/2 cups chopped cored peeled pears
1-3/4 cups chopped pineapple, including juice
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
6 Tbsp Ball® RealFruit® Classic Pectin
6-1/2 cups sugar
6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Directions:

1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
2.) COMBINE carrots, pears, pineapple with juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in pectin until dissolved. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring frequently.
3.) ADD sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.
4.) LADLE hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.
5.) PROCESS in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.



What I really like about this recipe is that you can make it and gift it any time of the year!


Carrots are very easy to buy and versatile for soups, roasting, baking and just plain snacking. 


Nothing is insurmountable!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

And Where Did January Go? Rebuilding the Jersey shore

Where in the world did January go?

Hey everyone.... I'm not lost! Where has all the time gone in my life and this busy world of our's! I blink my eyes and it's almost February!
I've been busy with work, designing greeting cards, redecorating, shopping, enjoying the holidays and preparing for bilateral knee replacements....
Yup, no padding between my knees - not the way it's supposed to be. 

But, I have begun to redecorate - that's a good thing! So I'm looking for the beach cottage items I cannot live without, skimming through magazines, Etsy, Ebay and Pinterest. Not exactly roughing it! I visit thrift stores, antique shops, estate sales....ohhhhh so much fun!

collecting Ironstone...



seashore shore stuff...


new artwork and fun family photos...


adding Robin's Egg Blue, white black, sand tones.

I'll try to be more faithful... but I am surviving Winter - not my fav! And praying that my beloved Jersey Shore will someday be put back together again. Jenn




after Hurricane Sandy...


prayers for N.J. .... and rebuilding.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Not Just Any Day At The Beach ... Recipes, Family and Summer NJ Style!

    hot news, hot grill and ME going on and on..

I'm always looking for new recipes for the grill. Something light. Don't get me wrong...coming from an Italian family - we're big on sausage, peppers and onions, lots of garlic, LOTS of garlic. Pasta, bread. Fresh crunchy crust bread. In fact the best bagels I've ever had are in New Jersey . They have a French Toast bagel that is....well it's yummo and not listed in the calorie counter book. I'm sure it's several days of Weight Watcher points. Holy Canoli! So, moving right along....

I've seen several recipes for Shrimp Skewers that sounded delish. Lemon wedges in between those garlic marinated plump babies along with red onions. Lime marinated sea creatures ready to be inhaled after you have roasted them with avocado wrapped pancetta. Ohhh Mama Leone! Slices of bread ready to sop up the juices. Yes... bellas SOP!
                
You Will Need

1/2 fresh pineapple, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
3 medium nectarines, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium pears, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium fresh peaches, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 to 4 medium plums, cut into 1-inch chunks

10 apricots, halved

3 tablespoons honey or light corn syrup, warmed

What to Do
1. Thread fruit alternately onto metal or soaked bamboo skewers.

2. Grill, uncovered, over medium-hot heat until fruit is heated through, about 6 minutes, turning often. Brush with honey or corn syrup during the last minute of grilling time.

Serves 6

From Taste of Home Backyard Grilling
or...
How to make Grilled Fruit Skewers
1. Soak the skewers in cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare a charcoal grill to medium heat.
3. Start threading the fruit onto the skewers,
beginning with strawberries, then pineapple,
then papaya, and mango. Continue alternating among the four.
 4. Grill the fruit, turning as necessary, for about 6-8 minutes.
 Grill time will vary depending on ripeness of fruit.
5. Remove the skewers from the grill and serve over scoops of Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
Ingredients
skewers
1 container large strawberries, cleaned
2 mangos, peeled and seeded
1/2 large papaya, peeled and seeded
1/2 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into even pieces
1 carton Butter Pecan Ice Cream

I'm an only child. When I was little I used to pretend I had 9 brothers and sisters. In fact, I used to tell people I had 9 brothers and sisters when I would first meet them. I think of was about 7. Then my mom would call and say "Can you please send Jennifer home, she's an
only child and I am a little protective of her." Awww Mooommm! But when I was with my cousins ... that Big loving family with the open door policy - heaven.
Two Grandmas lived there always.
Friends could stay over, friends could move in.
When I would ask if there was enough dinner for me to stay, my cousin Linda 
 would say "if we can feed 8, why can't we feed 1 more?".  So when I drive up from Maryland to be with the Mondelli's ... it's not about
romance
it's about.... family        
9:32 am doctor called blood work fine - ct scan clear - 1 year cancer free
thank you with all my heart for your prayers  Jennifer

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Belated Easter Wishes and Many Thanks to My Swap Partners!

I blinked my eyes and Easter was over, swaps were exchanged and my posts were way behind!




i packed up,

closed up,

& headed up....

to new jersey

for spring break




my family lives in south jersey
by the beach and north jersey
in a quaint "mayberry type" town
called "branchville" then there's
nyc!
it was quite the combo and i love it all


beach houses









talks about italy
food, wine, food

a trip to a local hot dog joint for
"hot dogs all the way" = chili dogs


everyone gathering for easter - munching, knoshing, cooking, relaxing and laughing

spring everywhere you looked
family, kids, food, laughter hugs
joy, oh joy
warm weather! mmm
into the city
 dinner at famous "Sylvia's"
                                           spectacular
                                        healing                       delightful
                                                   rebuilding
                                                                         exciting
                                              diversified 

                                                  New York City

                         a fun time was had by all!

Easter eggs, Easter baskets, Tussie Mussies Oh My! To my swap sisters....you  are divine - your creative touches - works of art, romance, sweetness, variety, sparkle, personality, glitz! I'm in love! Thank you now!
I will thank you all as soon as I get back on track! Jennifer
this bird has found her way home again

Monday, October 13, 2008

New Jersey is for family, eating, visiting, relaxing, bears, and me!




Every year my cousin Linda and I drive to northern NJ to visit our cousin Ruthie. It feels like "home". From the first time we walked in the door of her gray blue shingled Victorian, we couldn't get over it. We sit on the sofa and look at each other and say " this always feels like home". Her neighbors all know her, know we're arriving, say "hello" at the corner breakfast coffee shop. We ride around and look at old houses, new stores, places our great uncle and grandfather and dads hunted and fished. At night we talk about family memories and in the morning we start all over again over fresh brewed coffee.
The time passes too quickly and we reluctantly put our bags in the back seat, hug Ruthie good-bye, always aware of her teary eyes. Did I mention she's a mush? Treasure your family... every moment. We do! I'll tell you the bear story another time...