Canning days

Days come and go,
some smoothly, some not
How it is interpreted-
depends on what you put in the pot.

HaHa! I got on a bit of a roll the past few days, crafty kitchen kind of roll. I first made candles. Actually just re-purposed /reused my old candle containers and refilled them with some new soy wax and used orange and cinnamon essential oils to give them a scenty yummy kick! Wonderful!
But that just got things started! 

Our first time ever canning anything! We tried simply- tomatoes- and they turned out perfect! So happy!

 

We celebrated our little old fashioned endeavor with an early afternoon BBQ.  Felt great to add jar to the shelf, knowing they contained nothing more than fresh ingredients. 

 The experience continued when memories of canned items on grandma's shelf inspired me to look up apple butter- which used to be one of my top favorites as a child. I was impressed with how easy it looked to make! So I made it! LOL Took all day, and I especially understood that I'll need to get a sieve soon if I plan to keep this up! 

But there it was- our second canning event! Apple butter! Yay!!!!!

Between it all the Snow Full moon peaked out. Loved it! Wonderful!  How have you been this last week?

Friday Walk and Talk-

This week has been a whirl wind, a tailspin, and a frazzled frizzled mess.  I won't list all the reasons, but this happens sometimes. Some weeks- some days even- just come together and others do not. What do you do?
 I am understanding more and more, as I get older, that days like that can really define the kind of person you are.  What do you do? If you focus on the stumbles, the problems, and or the stresses- so much so they are all you see- they can define you! Even to the point where you can develop a certain "victim" attitude. (I am not talking of tragedy, or horrific catastrophic events either- I fully separate those right off  as different and not part of this conversation)... I am talking daily struggles, like your kid comes down with the flu, paychecks fall short, car breaks down, bills are due, neighbors dog chewed a hole in the fence,  the heater broke- stuff that could occur on any given day regularly to throw off the norm and cause stress in the day, or bring down your momentum.
Does that make sense?
Some people focus so much on them that their life becomes a rolling diary of stress, almost as if they are just poised and ready for the next negative event so they can have something to talk about. They develop a soap opera mentality about it and it does eventually define them. it's unfortunate, but very true. Often if they wait for a negative and one doesn't come, they create one just to use! How self defeating is that! But they do!
So how do you handle it? What do you do?
I used to do that- I used to be that -and OMG was it exhausting! Every time I'd repeat a stressor I'd feel a sense of the initial stress over again and it kept my whole being in a constant state of fight or flight- and that's just flat out-...well? exhausting! ...Whew! Take a deep breathe and hummm for a second... time out! What!?!  Why would anyone do that consistently is beyond me...it hurts! It's draining! It's self defeating! It's physically paining! depressing! and above all- DEFINING!
 Is that what you want to be?
 Is that what I want to be?
 NO!
As I am growing older, I am finding that it is easier to focus on retelling my random day by repeating only the amazing- rather than the stress... by saying the positives to others, I am not pulling attention to the daily typical stress- I'm bringing attention to the good -and not just allowing what has happened to be more than it is- a problem that has a solution and goes away as soon as I figure it out. Simple- when looked at it that way- not quite so...DEFINING. Is it?

Remember, focus on what is good. 
If you think, speak, and act positive, you will attract positive.
Harm none.
 And Love...                                         

                                                          kitty kisses in the morning! Yay!

Homemade Yogurt YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!

I was a bit apprehensive- then I asked myself, why are you doing this? Isn't spending a couple of dollars at the store for the pre-made yogurt more convenient? The answer is yes, Simply, YES!...except, lately I haven't been happy with the store bought. Too much sugar. Too runny, and tooo little effect on my gut.  More and more, I am becoming aware of labels, and quality, and basic ingredients and WHY having the live bacteria in a yogurt culture viable is so important for gut health.
I'm not old, but I'm not in the best shape- I notice if things are not working! The more I learn about eating real food, and eliminating the preservatives, and the fake of fast convenience foods- the more I know this is better for me- better for my family, and fun! So I had my answer, and motivation to stop being lazy and give something new a try! Amazing! results! I am so happy with my first batch! I just know...This is going to be a hit!
I got a Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker, and a Cultures for Health Traditional FlavorYogurt Starter to use. My initial cost is going to pay off in just 1 or 2 batches!
This first batch I used 2% milk, and I am impressed! I am going to bump it up next batch to whole milk. (I wish I had a goat- I have read goats milk is fantastic!) Any way from this one batch I can make up to 7 more! And I still have 7 more culture packets beyond that- we are looking at 49 batches before I need to re-buy cultures...

 I tilted one of the 7 jars to show you how thick it was- tilted, and  still didn't pour after I grabbed camera! 2 jars are a tiny bit thinner- so I poured them in a coffee filter to strain and the result comes out super thick! I am impressed! by the time I finish using just this first 7 batches I will almost have my money back in savings, no artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives- and viable probiotic cultures growing for everyone's gut health.... Took me a half hour yesterday morning to sterilize the jars and heat the milk, after that the yogurt maker does the rest- set it aside and wait 8-10 hours, cap the jars and put them in the fridge! Soooooo simple!
Add honey, add fruit. Add granola, oats, nuts, seeds- whatever! Be happy! Yay!!!!
I am having success. Hope this helps! :) Come summer I think this will be great for frozen yogurt bars! And the more I learn! The better it will be! There is a whole host of things plain yogurt is good for! Yayyyyy!!!  LOL :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi! Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it was great for everyone- Spent the morning making my very first batch ever of homemade Yogurt! Got that all ready, and set into my yogurt maker, then I started on a batch of homemade cookies to give out- enjoyed the morning!

Then I got a wonderful surprise! My hubby came home early and told me to get his coat from the back seat (please) as he grabbed his stuff from work, and wow there was the most beautiful plant filling the whole back seat and a giant box of chocolates! surprise! he knows me too well- no flowers baby- but more for the garden! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the cats really wondered what the heck it was! LOL Beautiful fern.

 We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful day! Gorgeous weather! played handball with my son, and darts with Dad, and later enjoyed just Dad! (Ha!  ;P LOL) and all around fantastic day! Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

Mudd green eyes

ever sat on the banks of the creek
water flows splashing, rippling, falling
falling and singing the songs of the years
 of the earths tears
 splashing by a mother's sigh

ever sit on the banks of a flowing creek
the rocks so soft they warm your feet
granite crumbles as you move
crumbles to the waters groove
 and it moves
landing in the waves as it flows by

you look down and wonder
how many feet sat here too
or is it just you
how many lips have drank in the cold
 rushing liquid -refreshing gold
as the stone warms your sun-drenched hands
 you touch the water cleanse the lands
 as it moves

takes part of you energize and repairs
soft blowing wind in your hair
and the creek sighs
 and the creek cries
  and it moves

the deposits in the shade whisper
softly of the days that have crept by
of  a bygone year
of ancient paths and ancient ways
the colors shimmer as the sky above moves
 the sunlight shines where darkness proved
 and she cries

 the deposit shines in the sunlight's gaze
shines the colors  that amaze
 reds and greens
 blues orange quartz
 and tiny hues
 and the water proves

ever sat and picked up mud
felt the earth's heart in the touch
father sun warms  you through
 rocks whisper
 it's all true
see the colors shining through
 beauty shines
cleans right through
have you ever
have you?
-Janey M. 2013

call me crazy

Ever sit and look through a wish book?  circling, earmarking, highlighting-  or labeling "FAVORITE!" ooooooooooogling, ahhhhhhhhhhing, flat out drooling! and imagining what holding this, or wearing that, or using this-would be like? Most women do it with clothes, know several who oooogle shoes. I have found myself doing it at jewelry a lot too! (ooooooh silver fairy at silver enchantments is awesome....ooohhhhh....)
I've done it all my life- especially when I was a kid and catalogs were the big thing..." Hey girlfriend! Look at this dress! Wow!" or later- "Hey, honey- check this out, baby! Sassy!" .....

but now the catalogs are on the internet, super easy to go through and drool and wishlist away!  and none get me more excited and "wishlisting" than going through Superior tattoo's site.... ahhhhh man! It is so true- once you start ink, you always ink....  it gets under your skin... literally! Bwahahahaha!
This process of learning how to Tattoo has been, and still is, a slow one- I have years to go before I reach status of decent - as far as pro's are concerned. But man, oh man, do I love it! Nothing like seeing my work later after the swelling is gone down, it's healed up, and it looks absolutely delicious! Oh... I mean gorgeous!
See - I'm different than most- my canvases so far beyond the practice pig skins and the initial starter oranges  :D - LOL - has been myself and my hubby. A very unique relationship- 'cause not only do I get to learn to do it.. I get to enjoy viewing my work anytime I want- and I do usually want.;P Ha! It has been so awesome! Don't know anyone else personally that can say it. Taking years to do- but we have fun! We got nothing but time! Yeeeaaaaahhhhh buddy! There is something so sexy about seeing one bad ass tattoo on the muscles of my man! Half pride, half lust and a whole lotta fun in the end!
But today is fun cause I got to purchase my "wishlist" at the tatt supplier and my new ink gun is on the way! Plus reloads of my basic needs like green soap tincture and more ink... bam! Booooyah Baby! It's on!  It's  A nice nice nice one I have been sooooo waiting for! Yay! Look out valentine's Day! New Raven tattoo is in the works! Yay!
 like I titled it- call me crazy, but that's me!

Happy Wednesday! 2/6

So after a longggggggg weekend, of which we BBQ'd for Imbolc and thoroughly enjoyed some absolutely beautiful weather here! Yay!!!!!

I am back at the basics- and trying to find the house- what is it about weekends that is so absolutely messy?

LOL

All is well though, and I am hoping all who come across this we blessed with a loving, bright and happy weekend!

I am drying my curls as I write, and I noticed a lot of ads for Valentine's Day coming up. I had forgotten about it. Not being surrounded by girls, or little ones anymore- and not being a huge TV watcher -LOL- I just tend to forget that one. Ack!  Maybe it's bad. Maybe that's good.... I often get very tired of the hype surrounding some holidays. Valentine's Day is one of the worst. It has become so commercialized that people do not realize it should just be about loving and caring for others.  Recognizing a person and acknowledging their qualities and showing you care should be the best gift given at anytime, but the media pushes value to diamonds, and flowers, and chocolates like that is all it's about. And if you don't get jewelry or sweets you have been cheated! Oh my! .... but to me- Nice as they are- most regular folk are just barely recovering from the budget blowers of xmas- much less have money for diamonds. (Eye rolls here!) It just further perpetuates the problem.

Also I went through a period of years working as a florist where I HATED Valentine (mother's day is not much better). As purchaser and orderer of the bulk flowers available for Valentine's day rush- The quality coming out of the warehouses and greenhouses and shipments are crap! The rush to provide for the media pushed hype causes suppliers to cut early and store longer- meaning even the best of florists get old flowers delivered to them that are supposed to be fresh! -They are not. Trust me- after nearly 10 years dealing with rush day of over thousand orders each time- trust me people- the WORST time to buy flowers is valentines day. Wait 2 weeks-3 would be better!- surprise her when she really least expects it- but not on Valentine's day.... not if you want quality flowers that last extra long. 

But that's just me. I'll probably get bashed for my opinion, but oh well. What do I recommend instead? It depends on the girl, but heartfelt cards, lots a lovin!, nice food, and extra huggin' ;P can go a long way!

On another note, after time taken this weekend to specifically attune with Mother Nature I just wanted to share - because many people focus just on Moon, and do not realize how the sun can daily affect our lives. Father Sun is a powerful being and he has been so active lately! This year is incredible for solar activity! Solar flares really affect us all! Moods change, things feel off-odd and some people are more sensitive than others! It affects the magnetic field of the whole mother earth each time a solar flare projects our way! Been feeling particularly odd? Can't quite focus? Thoughts just are not as organized? Check for flares! It may have a lot more to do with it than you realize! The perfect site to find out about it- ion a scientific level, is .spaceweather.com- a treasure trove of information! Starts to help make sense scientifically of what the traditional pagan cultures and belief systems have tried to tell us all along! Check it out! 

-BB! Janey

Just for fun... thoughts

 I gotta laugh each time  bell bottom jeans are the "new" thing. or what's called "skinny jeans" comes into play, and I think of the pants Twiggy wore- just painted on "skinny jeans"- ooops! with a bell bottom! LOL I believe.

But if katie holmes wears it....oh lord! NEW!=>

I gotta laugh when the new 2013 layered hair takes on a "feathered" Farah Fawcett look- but they call it but the new girls name.... or just messy hair for Jennifer Aniston.

 Or how about the First lady gets bangs, oooooooohhhh... how new!
-like they did for groovy in the 60's again in the 70's, and 80's and 90's....jeez.



Today I laughed at an entertainment article complaining once again about lyrics of popular songs.... how grunts, acronyms, syllables and street slang takes the place of actual English language words- the writer sounding like some aged conservative complaining about how things change-pouring over the old songs as if they spoke perfect Shakespearean prose!...And I just belly laugh.... as the Crystals 1963 song pops in my head and I remember standing the kitchen singing away with my mom and sister to spatulas in hang in microphone form - oh we had it down - doing the hand gestures in line-

"Met him on a monday and my heart stood still.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Somebody told me that his name was Bill.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Whoa, my heart stood still.
Yeah, his name was Bill.
And when he walked me home,
da doo run run run da doo run run.

He knew what he was doin' when he caught my eye.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
He looked kind of quiet, but my, oh my.
Da doo run run run da doo run run.
Oh, he caught my eye.
My, my, my, my, oh my.
And when he walked me home,
da doo run run run da doo run run."

But, syllables half words, and grunts and groans were never acceptable "back then" according to the article.(and we all know James Brown knew that, of course! HEY!)
oh, how time, and fads, and history of souls repeat... whether we believe it or not, our decision I suppose to accept or reject the new/old/in thing. And just laugh when others cannot. (or cry....but I'd rather laugh! )

ahhhhhh I'm getting old. HA! Bwahahahahahah!
Met him on a Monday and my heart stood still.... a doo runrunrun a doo run ruuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn- yeah eh yeah - 

Hello Sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Ever had a song stuck in your head?! Boy do I have one!!! It's been there all morning! GooGoooDolls- "Don't Want The World To See Me"..... don't have a reason for it- it just is. So imagine that song and a bunch of determination and you have my morning!

Yay! I did it! Turn over (first turn mind you still have to add fertilizer and turn it again!) But I completed turning over and breaking ground and mashing up a whole whopping 13 X 17 rectangle of dirt! Just me and a shovel. Going to be my first garden ever. Well, I have had a few boxes in past, but my first ever designated space. 13 x 17 is damned near he size of entire yard I had entirely at the old house before we moved. Now I have this plus plus plus! Yay! It's like 2 yards in one! :) Yay!
whew. pooped... but happy! ..... no really tired now... Ha!
And this... (LOL Haha!Tatt is showing in my highwaters- LOL) ...This  below is the mini rock garden I have found along the way- so cute... I think the birds keep messing with them. They get re-arranged after I leave. :D

Okay- that's my morning. Now to go drink a ton of water and find some lunch... what sounds good? I'll probably have some left over Zitti.... maybe... or just drink some water and sit a bit..Ha! Happy Friday!!!!!!