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!

Creative, Happy and On the Go

Shopping for Jacob and Justin. I found this Halloween costume for my little pumpkin face (aka Jacob). I can't wait to see him in it!

School clothes for Justin and a pair of sweat pants.

Jacob has grown right out of the clothes he has and is now in a 6 to 9 month size. he is such a healthy little boy, but it does make me sad in a way how fast he is growing.

These outfits should help keep him warm in the cold weather Truckee gets.

I like to get started early on my gifts from my kitchen and hostess gifts for the holiday season. This is my current list I am working on.

Making the Hot Creole Seasoning.

Simple and very hot!
I hve a few people in mind who will love the heat.

The Ancho Chile Powder. Roasted the dried chiles in a hot cast iron skillet, then cut them into small pieces and ground them into a powder in a coffee grinder I use for chiles.

Quick and simple.

Mixed with dried Mexican Oregano and Cumin you have Ancho Chile Powder.

How Creole Seasoning and Ancho Chile Powder.

Freezer strawberry jam. We prefer this over cooked jam because it tastes more like fresh fruit.

Meet Peony Noir. I got her out of storage in the shed and dusted her off. Her and I are getting to know one another again. I bought her when we lived in the Sonoma wine country while our house here was being built. Great memories of riding along the well planned bike paths, out to General Vallejo's home, along the Sebastiani vineyards and around the historic downtown square . They are working on the bike paths in our community so Peony Noir and I should be making new memories soon. However, I have to admit I still am not sure how to use all the gears and I don't think I will ever get used to the brakes being on the handlebars. I instinctively use the pedals!

This is the second Drinkwell Platinum this week. The first one we bought had a defect and it would overflow onto the floor. We exchanged it yesterday and this one seems to be working properly.

Okay, in a silly moment I made this. Love the concept and am tempted to hang it.