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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

THE OLD RED WHITE AND BLUE

Hello everyone!   Are you enjoying the weather?   Getting cranky when people say things like, "Hot enough for you?".  Watering the garden has become a full time job and still the garden looks sickly.   I'm really concerned for the farmers.  And the poor birds!   The ground is like concrete.  Where will they ever find worms?   But enough about that!

On a much more pleasant note, we are preparing for the 4th here.  Can you believe it is already July?   My grandpa used to say it is always Monday or Friday.  I couldn't understand this when I was a child when a week seemed to stretch on for an eternity, but now I know exactly what he means.  Except for me, it's always the first or the last of the month.   Anyway,  one thing we  will be doing on Independence Day is taking our breakfast on the porch.  Just something simple like blueberry muffins and cranberry juice for a red, white, and blue theme.  By the by, how do you like my red and white teapot?  I was on my way to the store when I spotted a garage sale and couldn't resist  stopping.  And there it sat, just waiting for me.  It's a cute little Myott art deco-style one and can you see that it has a matching trivet?   And guess what?  It only cost four dollars.   I'll probably enjoy it for a little while then donate it to a local thrift store that is run for battered women.  They have a little shop in front where they sell antiques to the tourists.  

Speaking of tourist, our little village has swelled about tenfold with all the visitors.  Yesterday I needed a few lemons and stood in line for over half an hour at our little grocery store.  But it wasn't so bad, because I had a nice conversation with a young couple.   They were just so happy to be on vacation, it made my day to talk to them.  I'm afraid we take for granted all the beauty that surrounds us, and it takes a stranger to point it out to us from time to time.  Which reminds me, I read this quote recently:

"For each of us, there is some corner of the world, and I rejoice that this is mine. . . ."
~Henry Beetle Hough~

Probably everyone feels this way about there home.  I know I do!   My husband recently won an all-expense paid vacation for two to anyplace in the United States, but we couldn't think of any  place we really wanted to go more than we desired to be  right  here at home.  Who knows, though?  Maybe after the last potato is harvested, we'll take a trip.  

Inside the house, my thought are on red, white and  blue as I'm making strawberry jam, blueberry pie filling and drying strawberries.  Nothing white though!  The recipe for my jam is here:  http://hopeandthrift.blogspot.com/2011/07/times-tide-and-peas-wait-for-no-man.html . Recently someone asked me how to know when the jam is set.  I use an old-fashioned method that never fails.  Simply place a saucer in your freezer.   When your jam begins to thicken, place a dab on the cold saucer and place it back in the freezer for a minute.  Take it out and run your finger right through the middle of the jam.  If it remains separated and doesn't run back together, it's set.   Here is the recipe for canning blueberry pie filling:

Blueberry Pie Filling  (for five pounds of blueberries)

5 lb. blueberries  (that's the amount I use because they come in five pound boxes at the green grocers)
3 C. sugar
1 C. water
1 package liquid pectin (the packages have two pouches, use both)
juice of 1 lemon

Heat the  water, sugar, pectin and lemon juice slowly until it begins to boil.   Add the blueberries and bring to a boil and the mixture begins to thicken.  Pour into sterilized jars leaving 1 inch headspace.  Place a previously simmered lid on top and screw on the rings.  Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

This makes between 3 1/2 -4 quarts or 7-8 pints.   It is a bit thin so you may have to thicken it a bit with cornstarch AFTER you open the jars to use.   We used to make pie filling with cornstarch, but now the extension office says that method is too thick and may not heat through enough to be safe.  Isn't it amazing that we all are alive?   I remember when people used to make jam and sealed it with paraffin.  If it had a little mold on top, we would cut it off!   While I'm not suggesting anyone do this,  I guess being a little reckless just built up our resistance.  Don't remember people having all the digestive issues they seem to have these days, either.  There was an old saying that you need to eat a pound of dirt before starting kindergarten.  Now people are so cautious with anti-bacterial soaps, antibiotics, etc., I'm afraid we have lost are ability to build up resistances to things. When I'll hop off my soap box now!

And finally, since we are speaking of the color blue, I have some exciting news.  Both of my sons have informed me that they are expecting little boys!   I'll be up to my neck in blue yarn knitting for little grandsons. Wishing you all a happy 4th and everyday!   Until next time!






27 comments:

  1. Oh, congratulations on your boy babies! That will be so exciting! (And you already have a granddaughter....so you won't feel you missed out on pink/pretty stuff!)

    I will re-read last year's post on canning. That was very helpful for me back then. And I just copied the blueberry recipe and will do the same with the strawberry.

    I guess you chose a good place to live since you have vacationers there!

    I did hear something about cornstarch last summer...so I ordered clear jel starch from a canning company. (kitchenkrafts.com) I couldn't find it anywhere local!!

    Happy 4th! love,andrea

    your teapot is so pretty and the whole setting looks so fresh and colorful.

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    1. Unfortunately Tatianna is one of those sophisticated six year olds that doesn't go in for too much pink and frills, Andrea! But she did like the Hello Kitty sunglasses I sent her, so there's hope. Ha! Someone once told me that I look like a mother of boys. Is that a compliment? The strange things people say to you! Guess I look like a grandmother of boys too!

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    2. Oh what a pretty name, Tatianna! That sounds like a name my grandma from Yugoslavia would've known.

      Once I was sitting at my kitchen table telling a relative how pleased I was to have a daughter in the house again, after four boys in between...and I looked out the window as my little 4 year old (daughter) was playing war with her brothers complete with a helmet and gun, running past my window, and proving me wrong.

      I prefer mothers of boys....we are a humbler lot as boys are a bit harder to make social calls with! love,andrea

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  2. Congrats on the baby boys! That will be super fun! I love your red and white teapot ... so pretty! I've never been into canning pie filling really, but a blueberry pie sounds really good right now :) Happy 4th!

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    1. Thanks Jane! Generally, I'm not a fan of canning pie filling either, preferring to eat whatever is in season, but this year because of the terrible weather, I feel compelled to can whatever I can get my hands on. Will probably dry some too.

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  3. Congrats on the news!! Lovin' your red white and blue motif'.

    I haven't been to town yet, so I don't know how crowded we are ;}

    It has been raining and storming like crazy up here...forecast said it was heading east, so you may wanna hold off on watering the garden today?
    ~God Bless & have a safe & fun (relaxing) Fourth~ Lisa

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    1. Thanks Lisa! It rained for a few minutes and made everything steamy. We were disappointed, but now it's really dark outside, so hopefully more is on the way! Have a a fun 4th also!

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  4. Congratulations!

    Hope you have a wonderfully happy 4th!

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  5. Oh Jane...what a blessing :) two new little boys to add to your growing and beautiful family - enjoy your time planning and knitting :D

    m.

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    1. Hi Maria! Thank you! Almost done with one bunting I start a few months ago. Now on to the next one!

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  6. dear jane,
    congratulations!!!
    love your dishes....especially the red teapot.the recipe sounds wonderful unfortunatley are blueberry very expensive here in my country.
    have a wonderful 4th ,
    love and hugs regina

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    1. Blueberries are not too cheap around here, either, Regina. Fortunately we live near enough to where they are grown to get them cheaper. We have some bushes, but they are just starting to produce, as they had a setback when the deer ate them to the ground.

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  7. Congratulations on your expected little boys! We have the opposite problem with the weather here - hardly any sun and constant deluges. One village in Wales had 1 foot of rain fall in June! I love your quote about living somewhere special - as you know it definitely rings true for me. Lily. xxx

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    1. Wouldn't it be nice if it the weather could all just even out, Lily? So sorry to read that you are so conflicted about moving. It's never an easy decision, but I truly believe we all know in our hearts what is the right answer, just have to be still and hear it.

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  8. Well Jane....2 new little boys would be very exciting!! As soon as I get a grandchild coming, I'm going to run to ikea to get a crib for my house for visits.

    you are lucky to have your home where you do! I always hear good about Michigan summer weather. I had a great aunt that lived somewhere outside of Detroit, although I never visited.

    Well, enjoy your unconventional meal....the American way to be independent! love,andrea

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  9. Happy Fourth of July! How exciting about your two grandsons on the way! Your red white and blue breakfast setting is very pretty, and all of your recipes sound delicious (yum- blueberry pie)! I have been watching the weather and seeing the rest of the nation in quite a heat wave, we have been having quite rainy and gray days, however it cleared up beautifully today for our fourth of July activities. I hope you get some nice rain for your garden soon. :)

    Our small town was full to bursting with visitors as well, we have a nice parade as well as a popular rodeo buckaroo here during the week of the fourth every year. We only have one grocery store now, and it was packed. Despite the long waits on roads and in the store, I enjoy the fun holiday energy with so many people.

    Hope you had a nice day. :)

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    1. I always enjoy the excitement of the tourist season too, April. It makes us see our area with new eyes. But by Labor Day, I'm quite happy to see all the excitement die down and we return to our sleepy littlke existence!

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  10. Here it is very hot. But there is rain expected (hail). I enjoyed your blog and lovely photos. Congratulations - two boys! Its so special.

    Here, in some provinces pink is the color for bouys! And blue is the color for girls. As far as I know this comes from the Catholic faith. The blue for a girl derived from the mantle of mother Mary. (Also blue. :-)

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    1. Well, that makes sense, Jedidja! I don't know what the reasoning for pink for boys and blue for girls here. I've read that pink creates a quiet mood. I do love little girls in pink!

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  11. Hi Jane. Ha...I like your comments about weather! I grew up only 240 miles from where I live now...so it is not that far away, but it is in the mountains of western pa. So, when my brother first visited me here in DE, we had a mild winter day of 50 degrees (which happens alot before January, and sometimes after) and my brother thought it was very warm and didn't wear a coat.

    I love watching Coast Guard Alaska on the weather channel on t.v...and I'm sure I could not survive like they do in their winter.

    You dog sounds so funny! I think one of the most entertaining shows on t.v. is America's home videos, and the animals are the funniest.

    love,andrea

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  12. Hi...that is comical about your husband looking over your shoulder..ha..
    my husband has a new computer (we used to share) and he still sits down and uses mine. I feel, now, as if I should've got the new one!

    Thanks, that is great about the ikea cribs. As soon as I get news of any pregnancy, I am running out to get one for my house! And I am too tired to research things like this! love,andrea

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  13. Love your roses in the header, Jane! Boys?? How wonderful is that?? You will have fun making baby things, won't you?? They are so cute, quick, and fun to turn out! If only grown-up projects went so quickly!

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    1. Ha! You'd be surprised at how long it takes me to knit something as small as a newborn's sweater, Matty! Almost finished with the bunting I started in March. But as soon as I finish, there's another one to go. How have you been? Are you enjoying being a historical crafter?

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  14. ♡♡♡
    Olá, amiga!
    Passei para visitá-la.
    Que bom que você e seu marido vão de férias...
    Férias são maravilhosas... eu também estarei de férias na segunda quinzena de julho... por duas semanas.
    Estou muito feliz.
    Boa semana!
    Beijinhos do Brasil.
    ♡♡♡

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  15. Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6

    This is one of my absolute favorite verses, it reminded me of your quote..

    I absolutely LOVE that teapot and trivet. What a steal... $4.00? Hope you enjoyed all of your summertime delights for the fourth and I look forward to trying the saucer thing with my next batch of jam!

    Blessings, Debbie

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    1. Aren't the Psalms wonderful, Debbie? Sometimes it seems that they were written for us alone. I've been dwelling on other parts of the Bible recently, but I think it's about time to go back and reread the Psalms. They are so beautifully comforting! Thanks for reminding me!

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