A Peachy Day

 

I picked up about 40 pounds of freestone peaches before the weekend. Freestone peaches make canning so much easier because the pits are easy to remove. If you don’t get freestone peaches, you may end up with mush in your hands and just hate canning. Usually peaches need time to ripen before processing them. I believe they prefer to package them while still a bit green to keep them from bruising.

So when I got home, I laid them out on newspaper on the floor, not touching each other, stem side down. That is just how I was taught to do it. After a few days, which was Monday . . . they were nice and ripe, but not too soft, with a hint of yellow and red coloring. It’s a good idea to taste them. How can you  not? 

 

The canner was pulled out from the storage. I filled it with about 6 - 8 inches of water and put it on to boil. I put new lids in a small pot with water and brought them just to a boil. Then turned off the element and let them sit.

When I cleaned out my pantry recently, I decided to use some old mayonnaise jars for canning, because they are smaller and suit our need better at this time. They may not be labelled as proper canning jars, but they fit the wide mouth lids and I know my mom used them because she could not afford canning jars. She did not realize that recycling would become a favoured thing in the future.

While peeling and quartering the peaches, I have the syrup going in a pot on the stove, anywhere from one part sugar to two or three parts water is normal.  For 12 quart size jars, you could mix about 4 - 6 cups sugar and 12 - 14 cups water. Do you want to grab a paring knife once you finish that peach?

 

If they are ripe, the skin comes off easily by dipping them in boiling water for a minute or so. This is easily done by filling a bowl with peaches and pouring the boiling water over top to cover, then draining the water and repeating with the rest of the peaches.

 

When I pack the peaches into the jars, I try to arrange them so that the pitted part is to the inside. Not hard to do by going around the sides and filling the middle up as well. My mayo jar fit three (quartered) peaches – a quart size jar would fit about four peaches.

When I have a few jars packed, I pour the syrup over the peaches, leaving about ¾ of an inch on top. The rim may need a quick wipe with a wet paper towel, before placing the lid on and screwing on the ring until fingertip tight.

I place the jars into the boiling water in the canner and bring them to second boil, then process for 20 minutes at a medium boil.

It is important to remove them with care . . . checking to see if the rings have not loosened while processing. I learned this the hard way and now prefer using good rubber gloves and supporting the jar with a towel underneath, while transferring it to a board on the counter to cool.
When you go to store them you may notice some stickiness from liquid that has oozed out while processing. This is alright, as long as not too much liquid has come out and the jar has sealed. If a jar does not seal, refrigerate it and enjoy it within the next few days.

So much for my peachy day ...

for a complete updated recipe you can check here

more to come ...

Birthday Blessings

First of all, I want to express my thanks for the kind birthday wishes, emails and phone calls! I've had such a wonderful weekend starting with a lunch on Thursday, then dinner and continuing on with a trip to Seattle.

A special delight was a handmade card with finishing touches by our Prairie Rosebuds  . . .  as well as a surprise facetime call with their dad and mom.

On Thursday evening we enjoyed a beautiful dinner on a patio in Whiterock with our girls and their hubbies, of course.

We watched the sky turn color and finished off with desserts to share.

On Friday the girls and I drove down to the Seattle Outlet Stores while their hubbies gave them a break . . . and me the gift of time with my daughters. We had so much fun, it was decided that this has to become a yearly trip. We ate, shopped, had pedicures, talked a lot, cried a bit and laughed a lot. I already said it was fun, right?  So good to have this uninterrupted time, the kind we have not had in a long time!

It was mentioned that the last time we were all together in a hotel room was in Jakarta exactly five years ago. At that time it was Kari, Kristal with baby Natalie and I, who ventured out to Indonesia for ten days. Upon our return, Julene joined us on the first leg of the trip from their home to Jakarta, where we had an overnight layover in a hotel. We had breakfast the next morning on my 50th birthday, said our goodbyes early afternoon and, after two flights totalling about 19 hours with one layover, still made it to Vancouver to have the evening with my H! It was the longest birthday I've ever had and such a crazy way to add hours to the big day!

When I think about that day, it seems like it was just here . . .  and yet, so long ago.
Five years ago . . .
the only way to see my grandchildren was to get on a flight or long road trip.
. . . both of our moms were widowed, and lonely.
. . . I was preparing ESL lessons for moms of international students
. . . I was reading my daughters' blogs, not quite sure about "web journaling"
and definitely had no idea I'd like to write.
  I did not know of a recipe book coming up
 . . . of new friendships and opportunities just around the corner
 . . . of major family moves and the chance to become involved in their day to day lives
. . . or that my mom would be given a second chance at love.

On Sunday morning I picked up on the thought from Philippians 4:8, " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

It's a good verse to think on in this day and age when, by all appearances, we try to avoid time to just think. We like the idea of being continuously entertained . . . with the TV on, wearing earphones as we exercise, checking our iPhone every chance we have. It may just look like we try to escape the idea of having to deal with only our thoughts.

The encouragement  to spend time in reflecting and remembering came as a surprise. Maybe there is something good about writing  . . . it gives me reason to think on these things.

Looking Back and Ahead

An American Summer Olympics ad that depicted children practicing and going through all of the rigmarole of preparing, (in my mind - even for life) is one that imbedded itself in a soft spot of my being.

It ended with . . .
"to their moms they will always be kids"

I'm not really sure what this has to do with my Birthday but I do want to say that loving and being loved truly is one of life's greatest gifts!

There are times in life when you just have to stop and think
on what really matters.
This week has led me in that direction.
Songs of God's faithfulness have stirred me as I've remembered
valleys and mountaintops.
I've listened to a friend share her sorrow and yet affirm that God is good.
 He is.
Looking back, the view is clearer than when I was looking ahead.
Looking ahead . . . I do not know the way . . .
Yet,
to Him whose child I'll always be . . .
the way has purpose - it's good.
I know that I can trust His faithfulness.

Where Is Winnie?

I admit, this is not a bee hive, but doesn't it look like Winnie the Poo should be climbing a ladder close by? This is our view of the neighbor's eaves when we come out of our side door . . . and also as we sit on our patio.

It looked like the little yellow striped inhabitants were away when I took the picture, but we have seen  the wasps flitting about the nest and coming to check out what we are having for dinner. Every once in a while we eye the nest suspiciously and when we see the neighbor, we remind him to have it taken down. He replies with, "yes, I know" in his limited English, but nothing is happening.

I know that if that nest were on our property, something would have been done a long time ago, but it's a different story when it's the neighbor's house. The old fashioned methods that have been used in our own yard . . .  well I can just imagine the News Headlines claiming a roof set on fire by a well-meaning neighbor.

So . . . for now, I'll leave you with some quotes by our cute friend and his creator:

"When you go after honey with a balloon, the great thing is not to let the bees know you're coming"

- - the Christopher Robin Story book by A.A. Milne

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best -- " and then he had to stop and think.
Because although eating Honey was a very good thing to do,
there was a moment just before you began to eat it
which was better than when you were,
but he didn't know what it was called.
  - - Winnie the Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

Wishing you a sweet Day!

Lake Chelan

This past weekend we looked through a virtual keyhole into the past as we drove over the bridge highlighting the lit up beachfront of Lake Chelan and bringing us right past the beautiful Campbell’s Hotel at the entrance of the little town that was part of a number of our summers while our kids were growing up.

Over the years, on our trips here, we have slept in a camper, in tent trailers, pull trailers, or even just in a van, with the kids sleeping under the stars. We stayed in a motel with my parents once and rented a house once, but this was the first time that we stayed in a B & B . . . just the two of us.

The novelty of just showering and heading down to a ready set table was not lost on me. Neither was the fact that, after our delicious breakfast, we only had about a three minute walk to the campsite where our grandkids were just finishing up theirs. I tell you, this is the way to camp!

We packed up our beach bag, beach toys and towels and as we looked about the lakefront it was evident that no one had missed a beat during our years of absence. Campers and locals alike, are still claiming their favourite spots near certain trees or picnic tables. Large families get their grills ready, hand out potato chips and slice up watermelons, while young moms run after toddlers and older kids take off to the water with their water toys.

Lake Chelan is the largest natural lake in Washington State and one of the deepest lakes in the country.  It is cold and refreshing in the hot desert heat, but if you should happen to lose your tooth in that water, there’s not going to be any tooth fairy looking for it.

Every summer vacation we spent sitting on the grass and looking out over the lake, one of the kids would point out how it sparkled like diamonds. I noticed it again this weekend. The mountains, orchards and wineries surrounding the quaint little town with its ice cream parlours and boutique shops, add a hint of a Tuscan feel about the place.

We celebrated Tehya’s Birthday evening at the water slides. The view from up there is gorgeous and brings back memories of our own kids having their first thrilling experiences at the slides. No news at all though, that pretty well only a four-year-old can convince me to go down a slide with her!

On Sunday morning we took the grandkids to the old Variety Store in town, where they each got to spend five dollars . . . such a simple way to spend time and just so much fun to see their careful choosing of their individual treats. We stopped for something cold to drink and held hands as we walked back to the campsite.

Old slides and photos neatly organized in cubes or albums have not had the same effect on me as the actual retracing of our steps this weekend. I realize I am the same person, but different. It's alright to be older and, although I would never want to take away the sense of adventure of youth, I also remember the insecurities and growing pains that go with it, leaving me with a sense of how God has worked in my life. I feel blessed and content in how and where He has led me to this day. A gift to cherish.

Happy Birthday, Tehya

photo credit Beatriz Photography and Design

How can I describe the moment of conception within our hearts, the moment we heard we were to become grandparents?  The thrill of expectation, the reality of moving on and the apprehension of preparedness are not unlike the feeling of expecting your first baby. It becomes about a love for someone you don't even know, but forever part of you. A tiny babe wrapped tight, held in the crook of a young father's arm or lying against it's mother's breast - pure innocence come down from heaven.

It was ten years ago, on August 11th, that we got the call to come and see "baby Tehya". It was summer-time and everyone was home. Everyone at that time, was Papa and me, the baby-crazy auntie Kristal and the proud uncle Ben, just back from New Zealand. We all rushed to the hospital, almost tripping over each other.

We held you . . . delighted in your first smiles and giggles and, eventually, your determination to pull yourself up on the toy-box. We reached out our arms to catch you in your first faltering steps . . . shared your first delights at the scent of flowers and the taste of grapes . . . picked plums and ate them. We sang in the car . . . rocked you to sleep in the park . . . splashed in the pool . . .  bundled you up and took you out to catch snowflakes. We went swinging in the park . . . read stories and played peek-a-boo . . . all this, while your mom and dad prepared to go overseas. We filled up during the first two years, to drink from for years to come. There were times I was afraid to love, knowing it would hurt when you’d leave.

But far away . . . was never far away from our thoughts . . . and when we saw a beautiful girl come running toward us at the airport . . . whether it was here or there . . .  I saw God’s grace unfold . . . a grace He bestowed over and over. We celebrated often. It did not matter what month it was . . . we’d put up a tree. We celebrated with parcels, lovingly and carefully packed, then vicariously opened, doubling the joy. You entertained us on the phone with beautiful, descriptive language . . . my favourite being when you were six years old, and you informed us that when you are in the shade you look like you are ten.

Tehya, today you not only look ten, but you are ten years old, growing into a beautiful young lady with a tender heart. You think about how others feel and you do something about it. Your confidence is a strength that God has given you to bless others with. We are so proud of you, the one who first made us Papa and Grammy. Your beautiful smile makes us smile and we pray the sunshine of God’s love and favour rests on you.

With all our love,
Papa and Grammy