Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

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

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

One Step Closer To Summer!

These blue eyes are telling you that 
Summer will be here before we know it!
playin' in the grass, lickin' ice cream cones
Summer!
sittin' on the beach...
ANY beach...
Summer!

I've been roasting every vegetable imaginable,
trying new recipes, 
being thankful for the beauty 
God presents every day

getting ready for bilateral knee 
replacement in March - and no, 
haven't worn heels in many a moon 
and the surgeries won't change a thang!
I'm more a barefoot gal. 
I love my life.
I have moments, even in the Winter 
when I say say "thank you Lord
for the wonder of it all"
and if I'm down....
I phone a friend (and make the recipe below)
 read a book, or go to Home Goods!
Winter Drearies Tamarind Margarita
For those of you who want to make a blended tamarind margarita, here is a recipe that is very easy and has been very good. I use a tamarind paste (concentrate) instead of fresh tamarinds, which eliminates cooking, straining, sweetening, and other cumbersome steps. It may not be quite as good, but it's damn close.

Tamarind Margarita
2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1 oz tamarind paste (concentrate)
1 oz simple sugar
2-3 cups ice

Combine in blender and blend until smooth. Rim glasses with chile salt. Serves 2-3.


Notes
Vary the amount of tequila based on how strong you want your drinks. The tamarind is overpowering and you probably won't taste much of the tequila.

Look for tamarind paste in Indian or Mexican markets. I use "Mr. Manish Tamarind Paste" purchased from an Indian grocery store, which contains only tamarind extract.

You may find 1 oz of tamarind paste to be a little too much. I like bold flavor and the tartness, but experiment to find the amount you like best.

Don't over blend  You want to crush the ice but still keep a somewhat watery drink. If you blend too long, the drink becomes too thick and looks kind of unappealing because of the brown color (use your imagination). 



Life isn't always a bowl of cherries
but a good Margarita recipe
ain't half bad!
heeheheehee!



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

There's Always Hope...

There's hope...

but in the meantime... I continue with my projects
throwing crap out
donating books to Am-vets
washing woodwork and windows

bought some new bath towels
wishing I was in need of a beach towel... at the beach
getting rid of old clothes that I haven't worn, thought I'd wear, didn't wear
trying not to be overwhelmed by lists of stuff to do

eating Pho with friends (Vietnamese)
wanting have some Bibimbap....at a Korean restaurant
and having Korean food with my kids....
enjoying nature
and feeding the birdies
taking care of me by...
going to Massage Envy when times allows
and being thankful!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Love Notes

Oh, how I love music!
But somehow listening is so very different now - don't you think?

I know some folks still listen to record albums...
I don't know where my collection ever went but I know I had a lot of records, the 8 tracks, cassettes and now cds. 
  1. The Rolling Stones
  2. Simon and Garfunkel
  3. The Band
  4. Otis Reading
  5. The Supremes
  6. The Beatles
  7. Donovan
  8. Arlo Guthrie
  9. Bruce Springsteen
  10. The Grateful Dead
  11. Poco
  12. Loggins and Messina
  13. The Doors
  14. The Who
I used to sing in front of my bedroom mirror with a hair brush in hand to Motown,rock, folk. Attended many a concert... Was too young to go to Woodstock but man did I want to go! Strict parents, only child...lol. 

My Dad is 90 and still plays in a band - the Bari saxophone. Yup, Big Band sounds!

sounds I listen to now...

Joss Stone





and always Motown!
 my latest treasures I found for my seashore decor!
Home Goods and EBay
and I am soooo ready for Summer!
I'll put on something with rhythm and
dance, dance, dance!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Planning My New Nest...The Presence Of Color or Not?

I have been looking for ideas for my new diggs ... when that time arrives and I can't decide whether I'll want my place to have the absence of color or the presence of a few accent colors and what they would be. I love pale turquoise, bits of lavender or lime green are fun. But I want everything clean, non fussy, simple.

Below...are photos of ideas I like =
clean
simple
turquoise
are you seeing my point?
neutral
bright
so what do you like?
what do you love?
how do you decorate?
what are your colors?