Yesterday afternoon Lee and I traveled to Knob Creek, a lovely produce farm located on highway 18, somewhere between Morganton and Shelby. They have lovely, big, juicy, sweet strawberries! For the past two weeks, Lee had already made three trips for berries, both for us and for our neighbors. Those berries went for an assortnent of desserts, freezer bags and some for just eating! The berries purchased yesterday were destined for jam.....per request by Lee.
I must warn you.....I am not a good jelly or jam maker! I usually mess up big time! It is either too runny, or too thick or too sweet or not sweet enough. At any rate, it is always a flop!
I was awake by 6:00 and could almost smell the overly ripe berries as the scent drifted through the house. After only one cup of coffee, I charged forward and began washing, capping and slicing the berries. By the time Lee was up @ 7:00, I had already managed to have five quarts ready for the freezer! My plan was to finish the next gallon for maybe a pie or just to eat.
Not to be! Lee reminded me that he remembered a time when he could have fresh strawberry jam each summer. ( Hummmmmmmm??) He also said that he did not think it was a difficult thing to do! Not to be outdone, I decided to get on with the process of making the jam after finishing his breakfast. (Especially since he reminded me that the purchased jar of strawberry jam had to cost more than what I could make!) Lee had to do one thing for me.....go to the store for the necessary pectin.
Finally around noon, I had managed to complete 12 1/2_ pints of strawberry jam that now stood adorning my kitchen counter! It was time to tally up the price of my home-made jam:
1 gal strawberries........................................$9.00
2 pkg pectin................................................ 5.00
6 cups sugar............................................... 3.00
minimum wage labor..............
$8.50 x 5 hours...........................................42.50
Total cost of jam....................................... $59.50 or $4.41 per 1/2 pint jar
Comparison to grocery jar:.......................32 ounces cost: $3.79
There you go...........................Good old home-made, money-saving strawberry jam!
More Later.............................Brenda
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Post Easter
Lee and I were able to enjoy a week at the beach over Easter. Youngest son, Doug , along with wife, Elizabeth and their two boys, Alex 9, and Max 6, were there with us.
We arrived on a cool, windy and rainy Thursday afternoon and this very cool rain continued until Saturday noon. The boys were not to be disappointed with their memories of Summer beach trips and braved the wind and cold ocean for a "very refreshing dip!" Needless to say, when they returned to the house there was a "whole lot of shakin' goi'n on!" There were no untoward ill effects from their premature plunge or Polar swim. Warm towels and blankets along with good laps proved effective enough.
Unfortunately for Lee, it was another type of adventure; one that he would have preferred not to have visited. Five or six days before we left for the beach, he had tried unsuccessfully to pull-cord start a weed-eater (to see if it would work before loaning it to our daughter). There was no immediate pain from this until about three days later. It began with a "twinge" or pain on movement and progressed to a full-blown excruciating attack. Lee decided to immobilize his arm and that seemed to help. He had the same experience last Fall when he fished all day. Unable to pursuade him to see a doctor, we left for the beach in hopes that it would improve. Not to be......................each day was worse than the day before. He used lots of ice packs, pain meds and finally just gave in to the pain and endured it hoping for some relief.
I am happy to report that he is now fine. The pain finally subsided the day we left to come home and has been improving since. This was the same shoulder that has the prosthesis, and from past experience with the doctors, Lee knew that time would probably take care of the situation. He will admit, however, that it was a miserable week at the beach!
The good news is that Elizabeth and Doug made sure we had good meals, and the boys kept us entertained. When we departed we knew that with their wonderful help the beach house was sparkling clean inside and out and ready for Summer! HUGS AND KISSES TO THEM!
More Later...........................................Brenda
We arrived on a cool, windy and rainy Thursday afternoon and this very cool rain continued until Saturday noon. The boys were not to be disappointed with their memories of Summer beach trips and braved the wind and cold ocean for a "very refreshing dip!" Needless to say, when they returned to the house there was a "whole lot of shakin' goi'n on!" There were no untoward ill effects from their premature plunge or Polar swim. Warm towels and blankets along with good laps proved effective enough.
Unfortunately for Lee, it was another type of adventure; one that he would have preferred not to have visited. Five or six days before we left for the beach, he had tried unsuccessfully to pull-cord start a weed-eater (to see if it would work before loaning it to our daughter). There was no immediate pain from this until about three days later. It began with a "twinge" or pain on movement and progressed to a full-blown excruciating attack. Lee decided to immobilize his arm and that seemed to help. He had the same experience last Fall when he fished all day. Unable to pursuade him to see a doctor, we left for the beach in hopes that it would improve. Not to be......................each day was worse than the day before. He used lots of ice packs, pain meds and finally just gave in to the pain and endured it hoping for some relief.
I am happy to report that he is now fine. The pain finally subsided the day we left to come home and has been improving since. This was the same shoulder that has the prosthesis, and from past experience with the doctors, Lee knew that time would probably take care of the situation. He will admit, however, that it was a miserable week at the beach!
The good news is that Elizabeth and Doug made sure we had good meals, and the boys kept us entertained. When we departed we knew that with their wonderful help the beach house was sparkling clean inside and out and ready for Summer! HUGS AND KISSES TO THEM!
More Later...........................................Brenda
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Swarms of Bees!
In this picture, Lee is looking at a swarm of bees in the weeping cherry tree that is located in our yard. This picture was taken last May on a Sunday afternoon. We had many of my siblings over for an afternoon of ice cream and cake to celebrate Mother's Day. Everyone was entertained during the afternoon with a swarm of bees from Lee's bee hives.
If you are familiar with bees, you know that the hive will not tolerate two queens so the new or old queen will leave and usually half or more of those loyal to that queen will depart with her. The bees will swarm around the queen and closely guard her. When she finally picks a place ( tree branch, or whatever suits her fancy) she will land and the bees will gather closely around her and protect her. Other bees will fly around the area to make sure there are no invaders. When the bees swarm, they are loaded with honey. They do not leave permanently for a new location before packing themselves with as much honey as they can carry. They are mostly harmless at this time and are too heavy with honey to attack.
So far this year, Lee has had six swarms from his four bee hives in the back yard. It has been a very good year for production of the bees and for the development of the queens. It has been exciting to watch the different areas that have become the temporary landing place for the swarms. Fortunately, we have many trees in the back and they have taken advantage of all of the six areas. Lee has many friends who are experts at collecting hives and they have been generous with their time to help him collect the bees and place them in their new hives. So far he has given all the hives to his friends because he is content with the four that he has.
We are looking forward to the rewards of the sweet honey the bees will give us. Lee and his friends will rob the hives in mid-Summer, leaving enough for the bees to survive the Fall and Winter.
We were delighted that Lee was given the O.K. by Duke to continue his hobby as a bee-keeper.
More Later.........................................Brenda
If you are familiar with bees, you know that the hive will not tolerate two queens so the new or old queen will leave and usually half or more of those loyal to that queen will depart with her. The bees will swarm around the queen and closely guard her. When she finally picks a place ( tree branch, or whatever suits her fancy) she will land and the bees will gather closely around her and protect her. Other bees will fly around the area to make sure there are no invaders. When the bees swarm, they are loaded with honey. They do not leave permanently for a new location before packing themselves with as much honey as they can carry. They are mostly harmless at this time and are too heavy with honey to attack.
So far this year, Lee has had six swarms from his four bee hives in the back yard. It has been a very good year for production of the bees and for the development of the queens. It has been exciting to watch the different areas that have become the temporary landing place for the swarms. Fortunately, we have many trees in the back and they have taken advantage of all of the six areas. Lee has many friends who are experts at collecting hives and they have been generous with their time to help him collect the bees and place them in their new hives. So far he has given all the hives to his friends because he is content with the four that he has.
We are looking forward to the rewards of the sweet honey the bees will give us. Lee and his friends will rob the hives in mid-Summer, leaving enough for the bees to survive the Fall and Winter.
We were delighted that Lee was given the O.K. by Duke to continue his hobby as a bee-keeper.
More Later.........................................Brenda
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Say What?
About two weeks ago, Lee developed an unusual rash on his lower back area. He described it as itchy and somewhat "stingy". He had been very tired and just did not feel good. He had complained with a headache and said just getting out of his chair seemed to require more effort. The rash by this time was isolated to only two large pustules and a smaller red one. When I told him it looked like chicken pox, we began to search for his history of the childhood disease. Telephone calls to his siblings only revealed that he probably did have them as a child, but no clear proof.
This required an e-mail to Duke. We were told that Lee must see a dermatologist ASAP and have either cultures or biopsy done. We were able to accomplish that the following day, and the dermatologist confirmed that it did look like the chicken pox virus. A biopsy was taken, and we were advised to call Duke for a prescription for a strong acyclovir medicine to prevent further break-outs and hopefully begin to clear the three or four he now had.
Since then, Lee has continued to break-out, but with smaller lesions that are clearing quickly. He did not catch the chicken pox from anyone......this happened as a result of his very low immune system. His anti-rejection drugs have been increased over the past two months and because of this, the dormant chicken pox that he had as a child has resurfaced. Another complication of having the lowered immune system and the strong anti-rejection drugs.
As of today, the lesions are drying and he will not be contagious when they have all crusted over. He is feeling better and his energy is returning. We are still planning our beach vacation next week!
More Later..................................Brenda
This required an e-mail to Duke. We were told that Lee must see a dermatologist ASAP and have either cultures or biopsy done. We were able to accomplish that the following day, and the dermatologist confirmed that it did look like the chicken pox virus. A biopsy was taken, and we were advised to call Duke for a prescription for a strong acyclovir medicine to prevent further break-outs and hopefully begin to clear the three or four he now had.
Since then, Lee has continued to break-out, but with smaller lesions that are clearing quickly. He did not catch the chicken pox from anyone......this happened as a result of his very low immune system. His anti-rejection drugs have been increased over the past two months and because of this, the dormant chicken pox that he had as a child has resurfaced. Another complication of having the lowered immune system and the strong anti-rejection drugs.
As of today, the lesions are drying and he will not be contagious when they have all crusted over. He is feeling better and his energy is returning. We are still planning our beach vacation next week!
More Later..................................Brenda
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)