Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

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

Monday, September 19, 2011

Rustic Rainy Day... Warm Kitchen, Natural Ideas

Rustic Rainy Days In My Kitchen....
we've had our share of rainy days in Maryland lately... so I'm trying to go with the flow, think positive, enjoy inside ideas, reflect on other's talents and read favorite books...
I could not put this down... have you read it?
Then I looked at Etsy, another place I love to peek...
look at the ideas people have!
so while I put a pot of soup on to slowly cook...
hearty aromas from the kitchen
are wonderful on a chilly, rainy day don't
you agree?
acorns by ronc3m  Etsy seller
burlap wreath by BrushStrokesStitches
boot liners WithThe Rain

fall festive pumpkins! LunaCaCo
dessert.... warm sliced pears and apples glazed 
with cinnamon, brown sugar, a touch of Frangelico 
before serving on vanilla bean ice cream
 on estate sale find pottery dishes. Jenn

Monday, January 3, 2011

There's Only One You ..... and a very special woman!

"Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told:
 "I'm with you kid. Let's go."
                                                Maya Angelou
new year - new wishes
new beginnings - new hopes
because there's only one you!
wherever you might be!
and then there's my very special lady...
Maya Angelou
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, 
you will have succeeded."
"Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway."

Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
                                Maya Angelou

Monday, December 13, 2010

Helping You Not Have To Roam! Shopping Ideas For You...

Where You wander...
Where You Roam...
Hope You Find...
Cool Things...
For Your Home!
mittens = always a hit!
6Miles at Etsy
Adopt a Shelter Pet

a dvd or a book
cookbooks & journals too!
groovy hats Tosweetpeafromme at Etsy
grab a recipe and bake some cookies
from one of the wonderful blog bakers
check out Mennonite Girls Can Cook!
Ornaments...
I don't even have grandchildren yet!
baby gifts made by everyone at Etsy
so get on the ball!
quit fooling around!
fight like a girl!!!
not really... just have fun! Jenn

Friday, August 6, 2010

Let's Be Real...and talk about books...

Let's be "real"... like the Velveteen Rabbit
 and talk about how you and I feel about books ok?

Anyone who says they have only one life to live
 must not know how to read a book.
~Author Unknown
A book can be a very special friend don't you think?  Do you have a favorite?
A favorite spot to read perhaps?
A book club?
Do you cuddle?
or rock?
or swing?
or sway?
 
what touched your heart or mind today?
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot
P.S. I love giving books as gifts! My favs are cookbooks, decorating, gardening and childrens...well, ALL books!
  please remember to take a little time for YOU
love, jenn
 

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Under The Boardwalk,,, ahhhh sweet summertime!

Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fire-proof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) we'll be havin' some fun
(Under the boardwalk) people walking above
(Under the boardwalk) we'll be faling in love

Under the board-walk (board-walk!)
From the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel
Mm-mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and French fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be
(Under the boardwalk) out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) we'll be havin' some fun
(Under the boardwalk) people walking above
(Under the boardwalk) we'll be falling in love



Under the board-walk (board-walk!)



The Drifters  "Under The Boardwalk"

I just finished it!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Between the Bubbles My Way! God's Fingerprints and Fabulous Friends!

MY CUP IS HALF FULL!
I am soooo excited about it being Friday, after working a full-time job, getting ready to close the Health Room for the summer, fighting with our union to keep our hours and not get them cut (WE WON!), working part-time helping my friend de-clutter and reorganize and pack up her home for a final move to Texas, planting my gardens, training Autumn, reclaiming my house from HUGE dust bunnies and well... you understand.  So - I was thinking about bubble baths and taking one!
but then my mind wandered
ooops
so then I though about all the gardening things I have to do
and began to let my my wander to books ...


   gardening
    
    weeding


      planting

    more weeding

   margarita  

brie and crackers
spending time with my honey bunny
so no posts for the weekend ... I just plan to be me -
in Woodbine Maryland - with my pets, my yard,
 a new born calf in the neighborhood,
buying a neighbor's fresh eggs, JUST ME ...THANKS TO YOU!
THE END
God's Fingerprints - that I have a hubby, furry companions,
friends, bubble baths, blogging buddies, a home, a job, can be myself and create,
and HE loves me for who I am and always will.
Through HIS grace. Amen  Jennifer