OK...
So we finally had the time to can up
all those wild blackberries we picked in the spring.
We also pulled out the flat of strawberries from first monday,
and the surplus tomatoes from the garden.
They've all been patiently waiting in the freezer,
anticipating being turned into yummy pantry shelf goodies.
Also pulled a couple packages of
cooked pork roast to defrost.
Later I'll be making it into something for our work lunches.
For the berries we decided to
can them whole instead of making jam or jelly.
This way they can be utilized for
smoothies, cobblers, pancakes, muffins etc.
I used the instructions in Jackie Clay's canning book.
The process was to pour sugar over the berries,
1/2 cup sugar to each quart of berries, (same amount of sugar for both types of berries)
gently mix, then cover. Let the strawberries sit for 6 hours and the blackberries for 2 hours.
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| Free blackberries |
While we were waiting for the blackberry two hour window, we moved on to the tomatoes.
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| Squashing TO-MATERS |
We blanched the tomatoes to remove the skins,
then quartered them.
Into the pot they went.
We squashed them with the potato masher,
simmered for a bit,
then ladled into hot, sterilized jars,
adding 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice to each pint jar.
Released the air bubbles, wiped the rims, capped, and
processed pint jars for 35 minutes in the water bath canner.
To can the blackberries,
we heated them up in the turkey roaster,
(I like to use the roaster because
the product has a chance to spread out.
I straddle it between two burners,
making sure the middle gets stirred to the ends).
When it starts to bubble,
ladle into hot, sterilized jars 1/2" from the top.
I use a chopstick to release the air bubbles,
wipe the rims, cap, and boil in the water bath canner.
Strawberries process for 10 minutes,
blackberries for 15 minutes, (same method)
The process timing was for pints,
we did 1/2 pints but used the pint timing.
After that we were on to making our lunches for the week.
I diced one package of the pork roast and set it aside.
The other went in the fridge for ham salad.
In a large skillet, I heated some olive oil,
added chopped onion and garlic,
sautéed for a bit,
added 1 cup brown rice,
and sautéed a bit more.
Next I added the diced pork roast,
1 can of cream of potato soup, 1 1/2 cups water,
and some frozen mixed veggies.
I brought the mixture to a boil,
reduced the heat to low and cooked for 20 minutes.
Forgot to add any herbs or seasonings,
but I guess the canned soup had some.
Oh yeah, I did cook the roast with herbs, forgot!
By this time my brain was sort of fried,
(we started at about 9am, finished about 5pm.)
The ham salad will just have to wait till tomorrow.
In the middle of all this, I get an automated call from Citi Bank.
Hello, your credit card has been used for an online purchase,
suspected fraudulent.
Call us at bla, bla, bla number.
Call us at bla, bla, bla number.
Being the wary, suspicious,
know that crooks call and Email
you to get your info,
person that I am, I don't call the number they leave.
I call the number on my statement!
Sure enough, my info has been hijacked!
Seems Citi Bank has been hacked.
The credit card I haven't used in about 3 years,
the same card I haven't even
activated in that same amount of time,
has been used to purchase something,
or some service online, at the cost of about $100.00.
They even tried to use it again at Cabala's.
(hope I spelled that right)
Declined!
DUH!!!
Seems to me,
an inactivated card should be
declined the first time!!!
But what do I know?
OK,
one long, excuse me, could you repeat that again,
conversation later, I'm to be sent an Email that I have to E-sign,
stating, I have no knowledge of this.
Never get the email.
(By the way, I'm the one saying, can you repeat that again).
Call again 2 hours later,
same excuse me, could you repeat that again, conversation!
(I'm thinking, trying to can food here, it's your fault you got hacked, you fix it).
Thankfully my brain didn't let me voice those words.
EXPLAIN EVERYTHING AGAIN!!!
Got the Email this time. Hope my E-sign went through.
GEEZ!
I was assured that I would not be responsible for the charge,
but you know what,
in the end, the charge has to be covered by someone.
Guess who that is?
Never even got make soap today, oh well!
At least I had fun canning, got to make some bread
and even had time to call Nathan.
Now it's 10:34pm,
I work tomorrow, goodnight!
Till next time,
Bonjour
2 comments:
Sounds a lot like my way of doing things, but Heaven forbid, I don't do them all in one day. You need to pace yourself or you're headed for an early grave.
How are you and Nathan adjusting to the change?
Hey Terry,
Sorry to hear about the credit card snafu - I hope they fixed the problem. Also, stores now have cameras everywhere and the date and exact time of the purchases will be on the transaction record- Citi bank could request a copy of the camera footage- not that they will but it would show a shot of the person using your card, probably at the restaurant too (if that was a restaurant you mentioned). Not that citi bank will do any of that. I have closed all my credit cards except one and when I get that paid off it is going to the snippers too. I have had it with being a slave to the credit card companies and plan to pay all my debts off one by one. Our economy is too shaky these days to be in debt to anyone. I know it is going to take me some time but I am so over living like this. I hope they get your situation straight Terry. All the canning stuff looks really good. Hey I found you an interesting pair of pants that I want to send to you- you can do what you want with them but the fabric is interesting. email me ok and send me your home address.
love u,
jamie
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