My Dirty Secret-I’m in Love with My IPhone

I am in love with my new Iphone. I resisted it at first, not wanting to join the ranks of the hipsters and the “normals”. But a girl can only resist for so long. And once that sucker became affordable, Biceps and I snatched up an Iphone for each of us, while we were out on tour. It didn’t take but a minute and we traded in our “smart phones” for something so much smarter.
It was almost too easy. Which made made me think.
Just what were these Apple people up to? I mean, I caved years ago and bought a MacBook, yes. But, why is everything so freaking awesome on the iphone? Why does it make photos look so cool?
Was it a ploy to get me away from my $1500 camera that I pinched pennies to buy?
See for yourself.

The subject matter is cute, don’t get me wrong. But, the photo of Bicep’s at the Firemen’s Chili Feed is so normal, so ho-hum.

 

And one boring photo turned vintage, retro awesome. I mean, seriously, Apple people. What are you going to do next-invent holograms?
Oh, you’ve already done that. Hm….I stand corrected.

Canning & Making Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

This year, the garden produced more jalapeno’s than I knew what to do with. I dehydrated a large bagful, blanched another bag, and then gave some away. With the rest, I wanted to make as much Jalapeno Pepper Jelly that I could afford and then pickle the rest (I’ll share the pickling tutorial later on, don’t you worry your pretty little head.)

Today, let’s focus on this tasty Jalapeno Pepper Jelly recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Jalapeno Pepper Jelly:
12 Cups of White Sugar
4 Cups of Apple Cider Vinegar
4 packets of Liquid Pectin (I use Ball’s-they come two packets in a box)
24+ medium sized jalapeno peppers
8-9 pint Canning jars, lids and bands
Canner
Blender

 

You’ll want to invest in a nice set of canning instruments, too. A set usually includes a wide mouth funnel, tongs, magnetic tipped lid retriever, and a jar lifter.

 

First things first-wash your jars, lids and bands in hot soapy water. Rinse well. Add the jars, lids and bands to a large pot of water.

 

Bring to water just to boiling, then decrease the temp to allow the pot to be constantly hot (low to medium low) while you are making the jelly.

 

Fill your canner halfway with water, loosely place the lid on top and bring the water to boil. Turn the heat down to medium with the lid still loosely covered.

 

While wearing GLOVES, slice the stems from your peppers. Slice them in half and remove the seeds.

 

Place the seeded peppers in the blender with half (2 Cups) of the vinegar.

 

Puree until it’s smooth. You’ll have chunks of peppers floating around still. Don’t worry. That’s normal.

 

Measure the 12 Cups of Sugar and dump it all into a large pot. Add the remaining 2 Cups of Vinegar, and the pureed peppers.

 

Turn the heat to high, bringing to a boil. Stir constantly, bringing the sugar up to the top and blending the ingredients together. Boil for 10 minutes, bringing to a rolling boil.

 

While you are waiting for your jelly to boil, retrieve your lids and jars, placing them on a clean dish towel.

 

After the mixture has boiled for 10 minutes, pour the four packets of Pectin into the center of the pot.

 

Stir the pectin into the pepper mixture, returning the mixture to a hard boil for one minute.

 

Pour the mixture into your hot jars using the wide mouth funnel. Fill the jar until it’s 1/4 inch away from the top. Wipe the top of the jar with a clean cloth, removing any drips.

 

Hand tighten the lids and bands on the jar. Don’t get crazy and over tighten.

 

Place your sealed jars into the canner. Put the lid of the canner on tight and bring the water to a boil.

 

Boil for ten minutes and have a glass of wine.

 

After ten minutes of boiling, carefully remove the canner lid away from your face and using hot pads over the handles. Turn the heat off and let the jars sit for five minutes or so.

 

Remove the jars with the jar lifter and place on a tea towel. As the jars cool, the lids will make a popping noise, ensuring your worrisome brain that there is a seal in place.

Add some cream cheese on a plate, dollop the pepper jelly on top and scoop it all into your mouth with a wheat thin. This, my dears, is heaven.

Normal Reasons to be Thankful

I talked earlier this week about the Weird Reasons to be Thankful.
Now, I would like to share with you some normal reasons to be Thankful, since it is Thanksgiving day and my mother would appreciate it if I was more normal for once.

First and foremost, I am thankful for this hot little number-Biceps. Need I say more on that subject?

 

Secondly, I am thankful for my big crazy family. Every one of ’em. (I have another brother that should have been in this shot, but he ran off before I pulled out the camera. He hates to have his picture taken, apparently…)

 

I am thankful that I live here. Well, not here on Ellis Island-but here in America. I love my country.

 

I am thankful that I got to hang out with this guy for 8 years before he was called home to be with the Lord.

 

I am so thankful for these.

 

And for these two little troublemakers. And even though the number 7 on my keyboard is missing and I believe they have something to do with this, I am still thankful for them….

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?

It’s Obviously Thanksgiving

For those of you strapped to your computers, stranded out of town, lacking a family, or could use a break from your family or are just bored to tears as the men watch football-here is your rest. Land here on this page, brew some tea, grab a fuzzy blanket and let me tell you a little story that most of you may not know.

It’s a story about a normal girl (me) that came from a not-so-normal family. They tried their best to make me not-so-normal, too. But they did not succeed. I am the only normal one left.

Here’s proof as to what I am talking about. I was diligently setting up my camera for our annual lame Thanksgiving photo op. Diligently asking myself, do I use flash or will that be too harsh? Will dad squint his eyes? Will Biceps ham it up?

Yes, on all accounts. This photo stinks. Let’s try again.

Biceps receives a positive reaction from the crowd. This only encourages him, folks. Let’s try it again.

Dad thinks we need to move whatever this was. I am loosing them. Let’s try it again.

Now is the time for baby brother and Biceps to have a conversation. Now, right now. What is so important? “Which was better, Duck Hunt or Spy Hunter?”. Yes, very important.
And, so once more we try.

Ah, getting there. I even made it into the photo before the self-timer went off. But, bleck. I am shadowing Biceps terribly. Try again.

But, this seems so boring. So, not us. Forget it, I give up. I am just as weird as the rest of my family. I will admit it! I too am not-so-normal. Let’s just have fun, instead.

I didn’t stand a chance in my normal world.

And so this is where my story ends. I tried, really tried hard to be normal. But, like so many things in life-the sins of the father….

Happy Thanksgiving. From my weird family to yours.