Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

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

Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday's Fingerprints...a Little Pillow Talk about Life lessons

Well friends, it's Friday and I wanted to talk about two things...you know me - gleeful and grateful.
Psalm 145:9, "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."
I've been thinking about restfulness. I've been stressed in the last few months while trying to pull joy and appreciation from my world and God's gifts. Have you ever questioned why when your life is filled with so many loving people,you're learning, listening, growing, feeling, breathing - there is chaos? That's been my question. 
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)
I read, meditate, pray, listen, talk and yet I still feel bombarded by
my personnal struggle to make a decision in my life I have been pushing away.
 I attend a Healing Circle where we gather and rest, revive, renew, breathe.
 It's enabled me to stop the negativity of my thoughts and give the ok to just BE.
Well, I consider it, am thoughtful about it, believe it is powerful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
                                                                                                               Psalm 19:13-14
At last nights women's gathering I listened. I heard other's stories. Sometimes it's so healthy to hear someone else speak of a pain, growth, a Life lesson, concerns.
It was for me.
I could no longer hide my fears and not live. I saw I was holding myself back.
John 10:10, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

I am pushing forward without regret. I remember a story about a child that was given a luscious cupcake at a party. She held it so tight and as she was offered other wonderful desserts she was so afraid to let go of her treasure she passed up many delights. When she finally decided to enjoy her treat - in the fierceness to hold on .... it was crushed and inedible. I love trying new things. Escargot, green nail polish, speaking Italian....

 




i loved cuddling with my kids









watching them play
smelled the flowers

listened
laughed
and learned
Now it's time for me to end the cycle of abuse and not be afraid.
To take a step outside the box and trust in what I know.
I know I am a survivor. I'm a loving woman. Intelligent.
thank you Miri for showing me a glimmer of light and what it can be for me, Jennifer
here's to new faces
quiet places
and sleeping in my own bed    jenn
p.s. I can be fruggle if it means independence

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
 

Monday, May 24, 2010

Monday and it's all good! How about You?

Hello Monday Morning!
Well, here it goes folks!   I cleaned the house until it sparkled.
 I washed, dried and folded 6 loads of laundry.
Had multiple cups of coffee Saturday and Sunday am at home
on the sofa with a Jodi Piccoult book.
"Change of Heart"
Then spent some quality time with my husband John,
he's very young looking isn't he?
Made him French Toast which he shared with Spice and Autumn.
He searched for Autumn while I discovered the bra and another sandle she had destroyed.
Yes, we watch her. Yes, we're thinking about hanging every item we own from hooks!
He found her. (these pics are not of Autumn)
relaxed
relaxed
it was all good....
                                                       even the Chinese take-out

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

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Winter Day reading - Mom, Grandma, Child care - any one who loves childrens tales






books are fun!
reading to children is even more fun!


These picture-perfect books will enchant your pre- or beginning reader with tales of arctic animals, winter scenes, and the magic of falling snow .... they grow so fast and time together is such a gift.



  1. The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler
  2. Clifford's First Snow Day by Norman Bridwell
  3. Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
  4. Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse
  5. The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth
  6. My Little Polar Bear by Claudia Rueda
  7. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
  8. A Small Tale From the Far Far North by Peter Sis
  9. Snow Bear by Piers Harper
  10. The Snow Day by Komako Sakai
  11. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
  12. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
 Two authors I love and books by them I've enjoyed are:

Anita Shreve     Light on Snow     Sea Glass     Strange Fits of Passion

Jodi Picoult      Nineteen Minutes      A Second Glance

   ****   If you have a book or an author you enjoy, tell me more! Jennifer

Monday, April 14, 2008

Birds of a feather....


Does anyone collect eggs or feathers? What new ideas do you have using them? I have eggs decorating various areas of my home - also sea glass and shells. I must recommend "Pure Sea Glass" for anyone who loves sea glass, the beach, great photography. Also the book "Sea Glass" by Anita Shreve...