Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

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

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!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sing It Loud - Sing It Proud!

oh happy day!
today and even yesterday were just super,
duper days! i laughed a lot. had fun with friends. the students were testing so the health room was very slow. i caught up on paperwork. worked on a new greeting card line i just designed and have sold quite a few.
i just feel filled with happiness.
i was riding in my car after work yesterday and having my
conversation with God.
the sun had just come out and i was saying
"thank you":
  • for the beautiful weather
  • for the huge smiles i kept having
  • students that had come into my life
  • new friends
  • summer trying to peek in
  • flowers popping everywhere
  • health
  • blogging buddies
  • art
  • music
I know I talk about happiness a lot. But I praise God in doing it. It's this burst I get - this pleasurable feel of gifts of feelings. I know it's His grace. So I turned the tunes up in my car and danced as much as was legal in my car... and kept the conversation going. I don't ever want to stop being grateful. I also hope it doesn't bore you. Just me being me.
to the tips of my toes happy

Monday, July 26, 2010

ROCKIT! Have You Heard of it? Music On The Edge!


Rockit For Kids gives young musicians an instant opportunity to play Rock & Roll with their peers, bringing them together to perform live as an accomplished band. The program helps young musicians fulfill their dreams of playing with a live band on stage in a professional environment.


Each week for 6 weeks, students attend a 55-minute band class with specialized instructors. The end result is a well-orchestrated ensemble of young rockers who perform live concerts in front of a packed audience. This year, the group’s founder, Bruce Gallipani, is celebrating five years of live performance.
I know this because my cousin Jack has performed with Rockit
and their performances are unbelievable!
It's an outlet for talented kids who have an interest in rock, metal, music -  to learn, practice and perform in an environment that encourages them in so many ways. They have imput, laugh, play music, share experiences and then are able to show this wide range to an an enthusiastic audience in a theatre.
Jack Rose - 12 
The audience is filled with children and adults, who have come to see the awe-inspiring performance given by these young stars. It’s here that passion and style is ignited and the dreams of these children become reality. Registration is open to guitarists, drummers, vocalists, bassists, keyboardists, and brass and string players. Strong voices reach out, guitar and keyboard solos. Awesome drumming.  All at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. I was thrilled to be there and hope there willl be more programs like this around the country. Not every kid is into sports, some are into both!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

White Wednesday Statement a la Jennifer

Some boys
romance,
some boys
slow dance

That's all right
with me

If they can't raise
 my interest then I
Have to let them be

Some boys try
and some boys lie but

I don't let them play

Only boys who save their                         
pennies
Make my rainy day,

'cause they are
Living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl!
                                                                      Madonna
that's my white wednesday statement
baby!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Number 1 Number 1 Number 1 !!!!!!!

It's late....I'm rushed!

I'm befuddled!

I'm calm! I'm happy!




I have 1 ornament out!


No tree
No decorations
No cards


But I'm healthy!

Cancer free!
Fabulous friends!
New ideas are cooking!
No weeds right now.
Laundry is done.
Dishwasher is empty.
Husband is happy.
Kids are grown and safe.
Jobs are intact.
Oven in clean.
Meeting new friends every day.
Pets are healthy.

I'm taking Life one moment, 1 minute at a time.

Joy to the world! la la la la de la fa la lafa lalafa la la la