Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Morning Chit Chat: Pickle-Cannin', Soap-Makin' Edition

Good Monday morning to you!  I apologize for my unplanned three-day absence.  Friday I had nothing to write about and even less ambition to write it.  Saturday I was very busy in the kitchen, canning 17 pints of pickles and/or relish and 3 pints of tomatoes, along with making 10 pints of refrigerator pickles.  Here's a picture of some of it:


Yesterday Shane and I made our first batch of soap, but not until we realized we needed to shop for crystal lye instead of liquid and more coconut oil.  Between shopping and mixing for quite a bit longer than we needed to, soap-making took us most of the day.  Next time is sure to move along more quickly.   Pictures and commentary to follow later this week.

Today is my mom's 77th birthday, but unfortunately, she is in the hospital again.  She will probably be in and out of the hospital frequently for the rest of her life.  That's not to say that her days ahead are few; it's just to say that her condition has advanced to the point that the hospital trips will become more frequent.  She was doing much better when I talked to my dad yesterday and I think she'll be back home again in a few days.  She is stubborn and insists on no visitors in the hospital, which is not near my home anyway, so for now, I'll honor her wishes.  I did send her a nice flowering plant, though.

On a somewhat related note, today is also my younger brother's 44th birthday.

As for our week ahead, today I'll be making a few dozen acorn squash and black bean burritos, using acorn squash from our garden.  I'll freeze them for future meals.  Also, Kat has a library summer reading program party tonight, which is conveniently being held at the high school football field, which conveniently can be viewed from our front porch.  No getting out of THAT event, I guess.  On Wednesday, she and I have lovely back-to-back dentist appointments.  I can hardly wait. 

What's on your schedule this week? 


**********

July Grocery/Pantry Challenge:

Items Purchased Today (store brand unless indicated):  I don't plan on purchasing anything today, but here are the items I purchased over the weekend for the pickles and burritos I made/will make:  6 green peppers, 1 gallon cider vinegar, 1 pound dry black beans and 3 10-ct. pkgs. flour tortillas, .

Amount Spent Today (including tax): $12.36

Amount Spent To Date in July (including tax): $110.21






Search & Win

8 comments:

Sheila said...

Happy Birthday to your mom and brother. I pray your mom will be home soon.
WOW--y'all were busy this weekend. I thought I might make some jelly but the crab apples aren't ready just yet--soon though, I hope! Can't wait for the soap making post-I found a blog this past weekend that has some great info for making soap.
I'm not sure about our week here other than the same old same old--and trying to play with the kitties!!!
Have a blessed week!

McVal said...

Wow! YOU'VE had a busy weekend! Happy birthday to your mom and brother!
Can't wait to hear about the soap!

Quiltgranny said...

No canning here, unless I come to your garden and pick it first:( I don't miss the work, but I know we'll miss the goodies. Thinking about going to Pendelton's Market in Eudora soon for green beans. Best wishes to your mom - I know that cycle is hard on everyone, but part of the loop we all take at one point or another.

slugmama said...

Happy Birthdays all round to everyone!

Good for you for respecting your mom's wishes about the hospital visits and here's hoping this episodes doesn't last very long.

I seem to be on a pickle kick here. I've been eating pickles every morning for breakfast the last week. And no, I am not "you know"...lol

Can't wait to hear/see your soapy efforts...

Sonya Ann said...

I'm sorry about your mom. But it seems that they have a handle on it and when she gets out you can bring her some soap and relish. You do know that I almost died a couple of weeks ago and that I wouldn't mind a gift like that! Just kidding but that would make a great gift.
Have a great week!

Lisa B. said...

Happy Birthday to all! August is our BIG birthday month around here.
Hope your mom has a speedy recovery also.

Waiting anxiously to see your soap.

Annie Jones said...

Thanks for all the birthday and get well wishes for my mom and brother. I talked to my mom this morning and she thought she would be released this afternoon.

Also thanks for the interest in the soap making project. I plan to have the pictures up either tomorrow or on Thursday.

Sonya Ann said...

Good to hear that she will be released soon.
Take care!