Traditions, Kittens and Canning

Wait, what holiday is it this weekend???

:) That's Robb's stocking.  Left there since Christmas.  On that day, everyone wrote down memories and tucked them in.  Then while unwrapping presents, we start from youngest to oldest.  So everyone can see what everyone else gets.  It take a while but makes it all so special.  So when it came to Robb's turn to unwrap, we read a memory.  The memories are still tucked inside and yesterday I decided to open a document and type up more memories.  I plan to print them out, cut them into single memories and tuck them in.  But this way, I can type them up quick when one comes to mind.

We might need an Easter stocking...  

I'll think on it when I have more time and come up with something.

On Tuesday night, Taco Tuesday, the kids were all over for tacos.  We've done the 2nd week of making the tortillas fresh.  We made too many this time, so I stuck some in the freezer for next week.  Or for making Doritos, yes I found a recipe and have added a couple things to my shopping list this week!

After we were done eating, Meri and Ryan ran back to her house and brought over her 5 week old kittens for us all to ooh and aah over.  The kitten's brother, Kevin, Leon's cat, did NOT like these little monsters and hissed at them from a safe distance.  The kittens were adorable but not enough that I want another cat in the house.  I need another cat like I need another hole in my head.  And no, I'm not getting my ears pierced again either.

But they sure were cute!

I've done more canning and yesterday, canned 2 pints of steel cut oats with fruit and 3 pints of brown rice.  I tried one of the oats this morning for breakfast.  I'll be making more of that!!

If you're interested, it's 1/2 cup steel cut oats to one pint jar.  Also add 1/3 cup fruit (apples, frozen berries, etc.) 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cinnamon.  Fill up with water or apple juice, wipe rims with vinegar or water.  Then pressure can for 20 minutes.

When reusing common jars, I tighten it up good.  For the regular canning lids, I tighten, then pull it back 1/4 inch.  I have very good luck with most everything sealing so far.

If I DO hit a dud and one doesn't seal, it goes in the fridge for use first.  Usually that's due to the lid not twisted correctly or a crack in the rim that I didn't see.

I ate the oats in the pickle jar this morning and it was really good.  I dumped into a bowl and microwaved for 1 minute, then added some heavy whipping cream.  It was very good but I probably won't do the apple juice again.  It just seemed too fruity for it's own good.  I'll try the one done with water tomorrow.

Back to work.  Ryan is off work today so he'll be monitoring Leon's school work today and I can move my laptop up to the sewing room.  It's quieter in there AND I can sew during my breaks.  I haven't had a chance to yet this week.  Leon is at his mom's next week so I'll work from my sewing room each day.

Have a wonderful day and get your taxes in!!!!