T minus 3 days and counting....

A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
Mark Twain

Well, day before yesterday my friend gave me a gallon and one half of blackberries. I was really excited to do some canning. Yesterday, I began the process (remember, I haven't done blackberries since I helped Pearl (my grandmother) way back.

My problem is that I had not ever done this on my own before. I juiced the berries with the old juicer. I then strained the juice to get the remaining seeds out of the juice. I washed my jars. Then I began to cook the jelly. I followed the directions that were written down, but the missing direction was my grandmother.

The juice was cooked, I skimmed the foam, and began to fill the jars. My husband helped (bless his heart but, that may have been part of the problem.) He freely offered his opinion about my errors (remember, he's never done this before) and so I was very nervous. Canning really is an art--you have to get the proportions exactly correct and then you have to know (and I mean just know) when to stop the cooking process. Too little--syrup. Too much--blackberry bricks. After I filled the jars and put on the lids, I gave them a bath. Yes, they all sealed properly. Success!!! Set them to cool.

I remember how Granma's jelly would turn so pretty in the jars. This morning, I turned the jars--syrup. I could have cried. I read on the internet that sometimes it takes two weeks for the jelly to turn. My mom called this morning and I asked her if it took two weeks for Granma's jelly to turn and she said, "Hmmm, I think when the lids popped, the jelly had already turned." Oh, well, I'll wait a couple of weeks but, I'm doubtful; I think I made canned syrup. Next time, I think I'll choose another partner to help...my mom.

There are just some things you have to learn on your own, with prayers, of course...

It's been too long....

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".
Erma Bombeck
It has been entirely too long since the last time I posted. Albiet, I have been very busy with one project after another.
The longest of the projects was converting one of our buildings into three businesses. The business that I took was, starting from scratch, the beauty salon. I think I worked everyday for about four months.
The second was refurbishing a rental property that was badly abused. It still amazes me what some people leave behind for others to clean--esp. in the bathroom. Now, I think that we have really good tenants. I'm learning that with each lease signing, to be a little more strick.
All the while that I was doing the above two projects, I taught school and we graduated two students last week. I get so emotional when we have graduations. It feels like the graduates are almost like my children because we invest so much of our time and effort as teachers with them.
Then last week, my son and his adorable wife, made the announcement that we were going to have another grandchild (#6). I am so happy but, more than that, I am so happy for her parents. It's their first. I am sure that they are so excited. It is amazing how God always makes room in one's heart to love one more child.
Anyway, next week my sweetie pie will have surgery and will have a long rehab period. I will be very busy this summer. There is still so much to do...