Creative Moments

Though this weekend is filled with chores and things to do before joining family in Palo Alto for few days for the surgery this week, I have enjoyed creative moments as well.

Creating another life journal.

And a wine tasting journal for myself.

Lots of colored bell peppers to use up before we leave, so I made mixed pepper jam. The green is actually jalapeno's for a little heat.

Cooking over low heat to thoroughly dissolve sugar: 2 3/4 cups finely chopped peppers, 1/4 cup finiely chopped jalapenos, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, and 5 1/4 cups sugar. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter. Then increase the heat to medium and birng to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and bing the mixtire to a full rolling boil, stirring contantly. Stir in the rentire contents of 1 pouch (3 oz) liquid pectin. Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil, continuing to stire constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam. (Note -- to help prevent jam from sparating in the jars, allow the jam to cool 5 minutes before filling the jars. Gently stir the jam every minute or so to distribute the peppers. This helps sometimes, not always. ) Ladle the hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads with a clean, damp cloth. Cover with hot lids and apply screw rings.

Process half-pint jars in a 200 degree F water bath for 10 minutes, pint jars 15 minutes.

As to the rest fo the bell peppers I had, I roasted them under the broiler; peeled,seeded, and froze them for later use.

I finally got labels made for everything I have canned.

and placed on the jars.

I find these onions addicting. Good thing they only have a small amount of sugar in them!

The finished Mixed Pepper Jam. See how most of the peppers floated to the top. I did the step to help prevent this from happening. Oh well, it is not as perfect in the jar, but it will taste good. Now, back to other things on my weekend list like laundry, ironing, vacuuming, dusting, packing............(A few hours after posting this, and I realize whatI did in the pepper jam recipe that was worng. I finely diced not finely chopped the peppers. No wonder they are not mixed well into the jam. Eye roll......)

Today's Fun at Home - Preserving and Crafting

My grandson Justin inhales grape jelly with peanut butter on sandwiches. So that was the first fun thing on my list. Make Justin grape jelly.

Ingredients for Easy Grape Jelly

Filled jar in water bath

Finished product -- Concord Grape Jelly

Covering and decorating more Journals of Life

I have someone in mind for each of these

I really have been enjoying this craft project and believe that thwy will be appreciated when gifted

Gratitude -- I am grateful for all the little blessings that come my way each day through nature, friends, family, stangers and others creativity

Crafting - Journals of Life

Once again I am inspired by my friend Kelli making these journals. I covered composition notebooks in pretty paper and decorated them with what I have on hand, staying in the spirit of using what I have.

They can be used for anything your heart desires. The above journal goes to Deb.

This one goes to Erin. They are so fun and easy to make, and I love how they turn out. There is limitless possibilities to how you can decorate them. Kelli sews so she uses pretty ribbons and buttons when decorating hers.

Thanks once again Kelli for a wonderful craft idea!

Craft - Paper Folding - Boxes and Notecards

Today is the perfect day for me to do paper folding crafts. I needed quiet time and a project that didn't take much preparing and was easy enough that I could let my mind wander and just be for a while. I only had a couple of boxes and zero notecards left, so good thing I am this tired today.

I got out my stash of paper which needs to be used as well and started folding small gift boxes. Sometimes the design is that of the paper I used, and sometimes I use rubber stamps for the design.

These are not real sturdy however they work well for light things.

I find them a fun presentation knowing that they were handmade.

A few ideas to put inside -- earrings made by you or purchased, a small bag of dried herbs from your garden, a purchased gift certificate or a personal one you made for your someone special......

Then it was on to all inclusive notecards.. Another simple matter fo folding with fun papers.

This particular one folds so that there is a small corner that comes over the top at the end of the folding right where the postage stamp goes. Placing your stamp there keeps the notecard closed to mail.

This type folds so that there is a pouch where the last corner goes into. I tape this down if sending in the mail.

I'm excited to be ahead in small gift boxes for special occasions and the holidays fast approaching and having notecards at the ready.