SpruceHill

Finny Friday-The last straw

I know it's not really Friday, but I have chemo tomorrow so I am posting today. I have had a pretty good week not including Monday or Wednesday. We will just call those days unpleasant and move on.

You see I have been having a problem, a problem with this, this boyo. He has been a bad boy this week. He has been on a rampage and it hasn't been pretty. He started off chewing Little E's tennis shoes that had been left to dry on the porch after a field trip and a dip into the bay. Then he started rolling in, well I'm not sure what it is he has been rolling in but lets just say it's NASTY! Out of the last 6 days he has had 6 baths. Did I mention he does not like his baths? He runs and hides as soon as he sees the hose.

Then came the day, The day it all came tumbling down.  His innocence was lost he could hide it no longer. He spent a nice day outside in the sun and clean air. I was happy that he was so happy to be outside. Until I found these, Miss H's riding boots Very expensive riding boots. I lost it, he could see it in my eyes and he took off!

 

After I caught up with him he could not deny it. I could see the guilt on his face. He knew he had done a bad thing.

We had a long talk about his behavior. I think it did the trick. So far so good, no more boots or shoes have been harmed. 

He made me promise and I am going to hold him to it. No more chewing!

He is still rolling in NASTY and we are working on that.

He is very very lucky that he is cute!  
 

Fresh local berries and home made jam

One of the best parts of May are the fresh local berries. We have two local farmers nearby that have the most gorgeous berries! We have been enjoying them in the evenings. I like to buy local produce as much as possible. If I don't grow it in my garden I buy it at a local stand.

The berries are so big this year. Hubs has been asking me if I would make home made strawberry jam this year. Since my blackberry jam was such a hit last summer, I thought I would give it a try.

 

Heres what you need

3 quarts of Fresh strawberries

4 cups of sugar

1 box(es) Fruit Pectin

½ teaspoons Butter

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

12 canning jars with two piece lids 

Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water, or in the dishwasher. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use.

Wash berries throughly, remove tops and cut into nice medium sized pieces. Crush strawberries thoroughly, a cup at a time.

STIR pectin into fruit mixture in saucepan along with a cup of sugar. Add butter to reduce foaming, if desired. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the remaining sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.

LADLE immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids making sure your lids are dry. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on a cool dry surface. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)
You will hear the tops popping when they start to cool. This means they are sealing. 

 

I think I would like to make another batch before the berries go out of season. It was so easy, and you can't beat home made preserves!  

It's been a long time since I did a cooking post. It feels great! 

Flitting

I spent a good part of my afternoon on Saturday trying to get a few shots of the hummingbirds that come to my feeder. They are fast little buggers!

I got buzzed a couple of times, It always startles me. I never get used to it. It was nice to sit a bit farther away with my zoom lens.

I had a lot of company too, other than the hummingbirds.

It's hard work being Finny!
  

Having fun

I am having fun with my new toy, a zoom lens.

I have a lot more playing to do but I love these few shots.

 

This is the spot where I spend a lot of my time. I just love sitting here.

Hoping you have a great weekend!  

Good news!

On Tuesday I had a PET CT scan, I have been really nervous about it. My tumor marker counts were up last week so I was on the edge. We had planned to go downtown tomorrow and get the results. My doctor called this afternoon to tell me that he could not hold back on his good news and that the scan showed a measurable improvement in all the areas where my cancer came back. So I am breathing a big sigh of relief, and am feeling very very thankful tonight.

Again thank you for all of your prayers and support. We will be doing much celebrating tonight!