Canning Grape Jelly ~ Scrubbing Wood Flooring ~ Battery Operated Crochet Hooks

I put this job off all summer long.  I make home canned reduced sugar grape jelly, using organic non-sweetened concord grape juice.

I don't need a lot, and it's nice to have on hand.  Another winter job checked off the list.

I started to clean the wood flooring upstairs.  It will take some time.  I have to clean then move stuff and clean, and move it back etc.  I won't be up there every day either.  I also have to scrub the floor first, then clean with a odor remover spray due to pet urine (sigh).

There is a plan in place.  

Question for those with chickens.  We are going to be building a new coop, but prefer not to hook electric up to it.  Can anyone suggest solar operated heat lamps?  Are there ones better than others?

I'm also seeking suggestions for a battery operated coffee brewer (single or pot).  I think we could use one.  We've had way too many power outages here.

Here is a look at the battery operated crochet hooks I have.  It came with a case, and extra batteries.  I believe I got mine on Amazon several years ago.

Tiger ~ Grape Jelly ~ Weather ~ Canning Journal

I was at the computer writing up my post yesterday morning, and it was raining. I kept hearing something in the window and thought it was rain.  Not so.  I pulled back the curtain, and Tiger was on the windowsill, eating my basil plant!  It's not toxic, but he's acting up lately.  The weather perhaps?  

Or perhaps we have another stray cat eating the barn car food now.  Urgh.  Not what we need.  Apparently, Romeo isn't fond of them either.  I now have 3 holes in a curtain that covers the window that is by the food box.  Lovely.  Now I have another "to-do" on the list - sew curtain.

I canned grape jelly.  We use this to mix with BBQ sauce or other sauces for our meatballs, or enjoy for PB and J sandwiches.

The weekend brings us weather obstacles.  Again.  Rain poured down all day Friday, snow moves in today, and possibly more snow Sunday.  Looking over the "to-do's" we have, and what needs done is getting down right frustrating.

Got out my "canning" journal and added a page to it - bulk buy items and their status.  It'll help keep me on track with future orders.

Whew! Lots Checked off the "To-Do" List!

Lately, it's been puttin' up, stocking up and just plain busyness in the kitchen vs. housework and garden work.  That time will come soon.  Cleaning that is.  We've been getting rain at night, so weeding has halted.  We got more storms last night again.  

Although not all from my garden, I canned one batch of hot banana pepper relish.  It's Hubby's favorite and we did not grow cucumbers this year, so I won't be canning sweet pickle relish.

It should last the 3 of us all winter too.  The jalapenos in it came from the garden and they are good!

I got some organic asparagus blanched and in the freezer.  Three bunches and the ends were saved for soup this coming winter.  I had 1.6# of ends, and my soup requires 2#, so it was labeled accordingly, and I hope to put up more this week or next.

Got more dandelion greens in the freezer, but I need more chard, collards and kale yet.

I made a pan of homemade granola bars with oats, almonds, blueberries and hemp seeds.

I also made 2 trays of homemade beef bouillon cubes, using real ingredients.  These come in handy for soups etc. when I am out of broth/stock in the winter.  They can flavor any sort of beef dish/casserole, soup or stew.

I even checked on the green beans (shocked I had any to pick), and got some laundry on the line.  I also finished a crocheted bracelet and counted beads for another one.


Hubby and I both have come to the realization, that we'll get no tomatoes this year.  There are some here and there, but there is most likely no way we'll be canning one thing this fall.  Sadly.  The worst garden year in 11 years.