Cabbage Soup

That was fun. :-)

Canning…

By definition: noun

The process or business of sealing food in cans or tins to preserve it.

   But it is so much more, its an art. It is a way to care for your family and friends. It is that personal touch. It is what I believe is missing from the lives of many the hoarders out there . No really, think about it. It is natural and instinct to “squirrel away” food and prepare for winter. To stock up and such. Well I think there are so many people who have lost touch with the earth and there true nature, but there instincts are still there. So they grab and store and store meaningless and trivial things that give momentary satisfaction. They have all the intent to “give this to” so and so.. or “this would be great for” but it never happens. Or maybe I am completely wrong and because I fight the desire to keep every thing and hoard “stuff” maybe canning is an “acceptable” form of it and I am just trying to rationalize it .. Ether way winter is on its way fall is in full swing and although my garden was not out of this world bountiful, do to a very wet summer, I am in “squirrel” mode, and canning every thing I can get my hands on.

       

       

I just cant seam to get enough jars filled with all sorts of fruit and veggies, and ohhhh the Jellies and Jams with their shiny jeweled tones, they are so pretty and so yummy. The verities of mixtures are just endless. Then when you give them away and you get a card from an 80 something year old woman who is admitting to being brought to tears because she has so missed the taste of “real food”, well it feels good! …. oh and as for de-cluttering we are getting rid of 2 fridge’s and replacing them will more efficient fridge and freezer.. and because we are doing that my pile of stuff to go that has been keeping my hall way occupied is now (mostly) in our Jeep waiting for a drop off.

                     

       

So far I have canned 25lbs of peaches, 25lbs of Roma tomatoes, about another 25lbs of mixed tomatoes into salsa and stewed tomatoes, a sink full of Italian plums, 1 gallon freezer bag full of corn off the cob, bushels of pears, lots of jams and jellies, and this week coming up.. I have about 6 bushels of apples to prep.. :)

A new gadget to play with

It is called windows live writer, reminiscent of WYSIWYG web design tools. I am hoping, perhaps, this nifty app may get me back to blogging. I live the simplicity and so far the ease of use. I am excited to see the first post using this so here it goes(and then I will update what this diva has been up to)

What was I thinking!!!

2/10 ... yup thats right on day 2 of a 10 day work marathon. Also working very hard to continue to get rid of lbs. Hey don't judge ;) it's still cleaning out!! When I started work back on Jan. 26 2013 I was 213 lbs. Through changing my diet (no more soda) and slowly starting a workout routine I am happy to say I am 187. I still have a long way to go but I am happy with the progress and feeling really good (most of the time) Today was "bear" and nothing seemed to really want to fall in place the subway broke down on my way to work ended up having to take a cab(thankfully I had cash on hand to do so!)and well I think there were a lot more people than normal that were definitely having a worse day than me, because it was very busy at the hospital today. BUT all in all I made it through and still got up to the gym. Now it is time for bed, so I can do it all again!!!

getting in the mood .. once again!

Must be clean out time again.. cause out went 5 bags of garbage tonight. pulled up a carpet, scrubbed down the bathroom and the room leading to it , that we not so lovingly call the "blue room". In there is where the litter boxes are as well as our dryer. Got more of my yarn stash put away, a well as organizing a bit more of my art supply's.
On a bit more personal note I have also been working on cleaning out my body from toxins, trying to eliminate GMO's as well as started a Diatomaceous Earth detox, I have also all but stopped drinking soda. And at last I looked i have dropped close to 20 lbs in about 3-4 months.
I have also moved my garden to my yard (we had been doing a community garden for the last few years)and am looking forward to fresh veggies very soon!!!

Signs of Spring

Under the weeping cherry blossoms little things are growing.

 Inside our hearts,

we are making room.

Gina's spring clean up-

Got an Unexpected Visitor

Was Great to have my son and my sis in town for the weekend! Even had a whirlwind "sleep over" and got to enjoy our 2nd planed internet meal together ... wish I had thought to take a few pics ...

One Time we Cooked Together-March 6, 2013

Cooking via google video chat- March 6, 2013

I think once was not enough- This sister needs serious help in the kitchen.

Things are changing

And a new day starts and many accomplishments have been made! I am now a licensed phlebotomist and ECG tech. I also have a great job that I love I started Jan. 28. So now with all these changes I need a bit of motivation to keep cleaning out the crap that has built up. So my goal for this week (and my challenge for my sisters) is to go through my closet and thin out and clear out things I don't use. So the challenge is on!!!