Its been a while

Some people consider January 1 the beginning of the year, to me the beginning of the year is now...school is starting, life is getting back into order, schedules are being made, plans are being made. So I begin with some of my plans first about blogging/life.  Last year I decided to start blogging about our life and well life took over. I found myself not having the extra time to blog. I am going to give this a whirl again with some goals.

My blogging goals:

1.  I really do not know much about blogging, learn more and share with you all.

2. make at least 2 new posts per week (starting small is the key..)
****make sure to take pictures (this really should be hard but it is)

3. Share interesting things I read on my facebook page


Some other goals this fall for my life:


1. homeschool preschool my three year old, R. I use to be a preschool teacher so this should be simple.
*****do this at least 3 days per week at 9am. I am thinking Monday, Wednesday, Friday--no excuses
*****on this note, I need to make sure to take pictures and share with you our journey

2. Make sure I am leaving open time for grocery shopping, home work, cooking

3. Make sure I make time for people, real people not just on social media :)

4. Read my bible daily, I do this pretty well. I am going to try a more focused approach such as on patience...must be on my mind since I could use this with my three year old.

5. Spend time with my now...sigh...second grader alone. My favorite time of the day with her is before bed while we read and chat. We are currently reading Little House on the Prairie. The issue is that I am exhausted by this time...

6. Make sure I get at least 20 minutes of downtime at nap time without my phone, computer etc.

7. focused talk/alone time with my husband at night..without our phones in our hands..those messages/emails can wait :)



Those are some lofty goals for my time, phew. I look forward to sharing it all with you.

Salsa making

I have been super into canning and freezing fresh veggies this month. This past weekend I have made salsas. There is just something satisfying about storing up these summer goodies for a cold winters night.

Here is the recipe I used:
adapted from http://dinnerforacrowd.blogspot.com/2009/08/mom-thorpes-amazing-bottled-salsa.html

Salsa:

About 10 pounds of tomatoes from my garden/farmers market
1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
3 anahiem peppers. deseeded and diced
1 jalapeno, deseeded and diced
1 bunch of celery
1 sweet onion
1 red onion
2 tablespoons sugar
juice of two lemons (put in mirco for a few minutes to get the juices flowing)
a few turns of a pepper grinder
1.5 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon salt (to taste)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
3 cloves of garlic
pickled jalapeno (about 4) and juices (about 2 tablespoons) this makes it have a lovely favor


---this made my salsa VERY runny. I added a mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken up on a whim. I did not want to go to the store mid process for the salsa pectin, but I would recommend it.


First blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for about 1 minute. This helps loosen the skin. Peel the skin off. You can put a slit with a knife but i just used my fingers, it was a simple process. Quarter the tomatoes and and to your stock pot. diced all your other ingredients and add the the pot. Let it simmer for about 4 hours. If you add the salsa pectin I would do it toward the end here.

For canning:

*******A note on my canning: I have not bought all the expensive equipment. I find it works just as well with a few large stock pots. the one thing I did buy that has made all the difference is canning thongs, a funnel and a magnetic stick to get your lids. It was only about 7 dollars at meijer.**********


boil your lids for about 15 minutes.
Boil your canning jars for about 15 minutes.
Remove jars with thongs, put your funnel on your jar your about to can. Ladle salsa into jar. Put lid on and place back into your boiling pot of water for about 15 minute. Take out and wait for the ping. Thats it.


Canning is really no big deal and its not scary. Trust me, you can do it easily.

Thats it, enjoy your salsa!