I was a Canning Maniac!


 

This past year I got into canning.  Not quite sure why, I thought I would just make a chutney.... Well, I went a little crazy!  (So unlike me I know - ha ha)  I have included some pictures and  links to recipes .  I got most of the recipes off of the Internet, but I 'tweaked' some, so I  have added comments as to how I 'tweaked' .





Rhubarb, Apple and Vanilla Jam; Rhubarb Cinnamon Jam; and Rhubarb Vanilla Jam



Green Tomato Chutney, Rhubarb Chutney, Spicy Pear and Cherry Chutney and Mango Chutney




Strawberry Rhubarb Compote; and Champagne Pear Butter


  Recipes 
Strawberry And Rhubarb Compote  Substitutions I used: Epicures Star Anise ( a few extra) and left it in the jars because it looked so nice...

Vanilla rhubarb jam Substitutions I used: Caffeine free Tea for My recipe and Epicure Vanilla Beans
 
Spicy Pear and dried Cherry Chutney  Substitutions I used: Epicure Chili Flakes, Epicure Ground Ginger and Epicure Sea Salt in Lieu of the Kosher Salt
 
Rhubarb Apple and Vanilla Jam Substitutions I used:  I doubled the Vanilla beans and used a combination of macs and Golden Delicious apples (what I had)

Rhubarb Chutney  Substitutions I used:  I too use apple cider Vinegar, but instead of •1 tsp each allspice, cinnamon, ginger, I used 2 tsp VE seasoning for Chutney and 1 tsp VE cinnamon

Rhubarb Cinnamon Jam No Substitutions!

Epicure's Mango Chutney I omitted the raisins

Epicure's Green Tomato Chutney  Substitutions I used: I used the apples not the grapes. 
Tonight I pored a jar in mt Multi-pot, warmed it up, added a little white wine to thin it out and added some shrimp tossed in dry VE Curry Dip mix and served it over pasta.  It was Fantastic!

Champagne Pear Butter - I have the recipe if anyone wants it, but I could not find the source that I got it from . I have searched through my favorite canning links, but cannot seem to find it.  I apologise to whomever out there I borrowed it from - I take no credit in it's wonderful-ness (that's a Kelly word).

I Couldn't Wait!

As I have many friends (or at least I like to think I do!!) from different areas of my life, I thought I would put in a reading Post.  In February of this year I found a site 144 Books_In_2010 which challenges you to read 144 books (an average of 3 books a week) for the year.  I had been keeping track of the books I had read to that point and have kept track ever since...  Are you ready??  Drum Roll Please... I am at 115 books year to date!!  Not sure if I will make it to 144 (I am on track, but I do a lot of baking in November and December)....
The top 20 books I have read this year (in no particular order are):

Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
 Precious (Push) - Sapphire
Shadow of the Wind - C Zafon

Zipporah - Wife of Moses  -M.Halter
To Kill a mockingbird- Harper Lee
Handle With Care - Jodi Picoult
Blink - Ted Dekker
the weight of silence - heather Gudenkauf
Flowers for Algernon - D.Keyes
House Rules- Jodi Picoult
The last time we met – Cathy Lamb

Slumdog Millionaire 
Rapture of Canaan – Sheri Reynolds
Garden Spells – Sarah Addison Allen
Her Fearful Symmetry – Audrey Niffenegger
13 reasons why – Jay asher

Beautiful Child – Torey Hayden
Never Let Me Go – Kazou Ishiguru
Shanghai Girls -Lisa See
The Help - K. Stockett

I'm Back.....

At our monthly "crafty night', One of the girls (Louise) showed us how to cover and embellish boxes.  Well I have been on a tear since then...  I have several different partly finished boxes (I have until Christmas!), but I did just finish and mail off this one.  It is for my Girly Girl Niece, Luca.  Luca turns 5!! This October 20th and I hope she likes this Treasure box.  I also got her the cutest LilyBug-Tutus but I forgot a picture - will add it when I get it....
For the box, I bought a basic wood box with a hinged lid.  I covered the top and bottom with one patterned paper, and the sides with a different, but co-ordinating paper.  I then sanded all of the the sides down and used distress ink to create a 'distressed' look.  The pink velvet ribbon on the lid covers up the hinges perfectly and was the perfect width (took a while to find that let me tell you!)  I distressed the inside of the box and used the same patterned paper from the sides to line the top and bottom inside.  I also used a pink satin ribbon with gold trim to line the inside, bottom sides.  Finally, I used some pink glitter Ritz on the 'squiggly' on the top to help it 'pop' and then used gold stickers to spell out her name.
Here is the box...



Top View has her Name in Gold Stickers

Side View Has Velvet Ribbon on top piece that opens

 I used ribbon around the bottom inside of box

Supplies:

Heart shaped Wooden box (Michaels)

Patterned Paper:Top and Bottom were from 'Once upon a time' pack (Michaels), sides -unknown

Ink:Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Fired brick

Tools: sanding block, glue, tacky tape, glue pen

Embellishments: Inside wired Ribbon Pink and gold (Micheals), Velvet pink Ribbon - Martha Stewart (Michaels), gold letter stickers (Michaels), Glitter ritz- pink (CM), gold glitter - Martha Stewart (Michaels)

Happy Hostess

Our fabulous new Brie Baker is a must have this season.  It is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.  It can be used to roast garlic, serve hot or cold dips, or obviously as a Brie Baker!  Included in this package is a jar of our famous Red Pepper Jelly.  Red Pepper jelly over warmed Brie is a fast, easy and elegant appetizer.  The perfect gift for someone who likes to entertain.  $22.45

The gingerbread man

Perfect for a hostess gift, teachers or secret Santa for someone who loves to cook.  Includes Gingerbread spice, Gingerbread man cookie cutter and a recipe sheet of several different yummy treats to make with this spice. $8.00

The Snacker

$27.70  - a great 'man' gift!  Includes Poco (medium) salsa, Guacamole dip mix, our new Nacho Cheese dip mix, and a bag of Tostidos.

Owen's first day

Today is the day. Owen's first day of school. I was so nervous I didn't get to sleep until almost 5AM. Owen on the other hand is unphased. The weather is beautiful today, but he insisted on wearing long sleeves... We have done a lot of 'prep' work to get him ready for school, many school visits and meetings with his teachers and I am really positive about what this year will bring. So far I am impressed with his teacher, learning centre teacher and his EPA (aide) , Norma, is FANTASTIC. We'll see how it went when I pick him up.