Soggy Friday

Today started out raining - it's been forecast since Wednesday and finally, we got some.  The garden's needed it.  The humidity is awful though, even with the temperatures lower.

Busy, busy morning.  I've baked 4 loaves of zucchini bread this morning.  My sister is coming to get Newton tomorrow and wanted to send something home with her.  She doesn't have a working oven. I couldn't live without one.  In fact, mine went out at the beginning of spring, by the weekend Honey Do got me a new one :)  What a guy.  Takes really good care of me.

Anyway, later I'm going to make chocolate chip cookies for her, too.  I have the supplies and I'm baking anyway.  So... why not.  It's the least I can do.

I've done my on-line banking and written out the bills.  I almost hate payday any more.  What comes in seems to all go right back out !!!  It's so depressing.  And today we've finally decided to take the rental the insurance company reserved for us because mine is still in the shop after an accident and it's going to be a minimum of two weeks before we get it back.  Now I'm just sitting here and waiting......

I finally finished my James Patternson book.  Never seem to have enough time to just sit and read. I have a few minutes this morning and started another book.  It's actually categorized as teenager, but since my son showed an interest I wanted to see what it was about.

It's part of a series and this one starts out in London, 1878.  So it's historical.  We'll see if he finishes reading it.  He's/we're currently listening to Eragon, which came highly recommended and he's enjoying immensely.

Can I just say how much I hate - HATE - running errands??  I left about 10 this morning and didn't get home until after 2!!!  And now I'm rushing to get those cookies done from this morning.  Just when I think the stress has pretty much relieved itself, I have a day like today.

Honey Do had a big lunch at work today - so maybe a light supper is in order and I can settle myself down with my stitchery.  I know it's not Friday Night Sew-In, but I may just have to make an executive decision and have one of my own :)

I spent time at the library today downloading and printing patterns that have been waiting for me.  Wants some new ideas?  Here are two from two very sweet ladies:

Oopsie Daisy Table Runner by Jenny of Elefantz.com

and 

Give Thanks By Wendy of sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com

I don't know if I'll start stitching them this weekend, but I am going to at least root through my fabric and try to get them drawn off.  And Great #9 still doesn't have his quilt from Auntie, so that's on the agenda too.  I got the backing fabric today.  Along with more sorting in the "craft room".

The afternoon is turning into a gorgeous day after the soggy start.  Temperatures are lower and so is the humidity.  The weekend promises to be gorgeous.

Thank you so much for stopping by.....

(photo downloaded from Pinterest)

have a wonderful, creative weekend.

Stressful Friday

Did you ever have one of those days that no matter what you did, nothing was going to please anyone?  Yea, that was today.  But here is how the day started:

The dogs were trampling this poor bush and this branch was laying on the ground.  I had to rescue it.

These sweet little blooms are only about and inch across.  Look how sweet those little buds are.  I just love this rose.  It's about 10 years old and one of the first my husband purchased for me and encouraged me to grow.

I made this vase hugger from a free pattern from Jenny at http://www.elefantz.com/.  She has lots of great designs in her shop as well as her own magazine (which of course I had to subscribe to and am never disappointed with her talent).

The only thing I can say is I'm glad the worst of the day is over and along with it all the stress.  I can spend my evening the way I enjoy - working on my stitchery project, listening to the radio (and my budgie singing along) or with a movie I've seen a hundred times.  Here's hoping I get something accomplished.

Speaking of accomplished....  One down and one to go ....

This is the first of two I am making.  Again, a "Jenny" design.  I wonder if she feels like I'm stalking her yet.  I'm really not, I just love her work.  And as you can see it turned out great.  It's going to be hard to give this one up.

Spent part of the afternoon making Summer Salsa.  YUM......  Here's the recipe for you:

SUMMER SALSA

Prepare:  canner, jars, lids (4 pint sized jars; 4-6 of the 8 oz. size)

4 cups Tomatoes - peeled, cored, chopped

2 cups Peaches - peeled, pitted, chopped

2 cups Pears - peeled, cored, chopped

1 Red Bell Pepper - seeded, finely chopped

3-4 Jalapeno peppers - seeded, finely chopped (if you like the heat, leave the seeds in)

Place these ingredients in a stainless steel saucepan (4 quart minimum).  Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.

Add to mixture:

1/2 cup Cilantro - loosely packed, finely chopped (I don't like Cilantro, so I used parsley)

1/2 cup Honey (liquid)

1 Lemon - zest and juice

1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar

1 T. Mint - finely chopped

Reduce heat and boil gently for about 5 minutes, until thickened, stirring constantly.

Ladle the hot salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch (1 cm.) headspace.  Remove the air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary.  Wipe the rim, center the seal and screw on the band just until resistance is met, increase to fingertip-tight.

Place the jars in the canner, making sure they are completely covered with water.  Bring to boil and process for 15 (8-oz jars) to 20 (pint jars) minutes.  Remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes and remove jars.  Cool and store.

Quick and easy Party Dip:  Stir 1 1/2 cups of salsa into 16 oz. of softened cream cheese or cubed processed cheese (or a combination of both).  Heat in the microwave oven for 5 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes.  Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers or thick-crusted bread.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to ours - it's supposed to rain and that just means more cooking and crafting.

Thanks for stopping by.

'e'