Memorial Day 2016 ...

Thank you to all those who served our country...

Have a great time and be safe!

'Til next time,

Love ya,  Jean

Oh, Mickey!

Mickey's Sorcerer Hat
(Needs no explanation 
to Disney fanatics)

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean

Montage of sweetness...

I have been on a kick of making jam, 

 jelly, and syrups in the last few weeks...

(when I'm not able to work in the garden)

Mint Syrup...

Love this look...

Violet Syrup...

Strawberry Jam...

Violet Jelly...

I'm trying to make use of some of the stuff
that is growing around here.
All except the strawberry jam,
I used frozen strawberries for that.
I also used raw sugar which made it very dark red,
 instead of a strawberry color.  It tastes pretty good.  The raw sugar adds a nice brown sugar flavor to it.

I planted trays of seeds about five weeks ago.  Everything is thriving!  I can't wait to get the plants in the ground.  It is raining today,  58 degrees, and the soil is very wet.  Tomorrow it is supposed to be 90 degrees!  Talk about temperature swings!  I think Mother Nature is going through menopause!  Temperamental is what I call it!

So,  I'm hoping for some "normal" weather someday soon,
so I can get out there and get my hands dirty!
I have lots of flowers blooming now,
and lots of weeds to take care of,  too.
And plants to plant...

'Til next time,  Love ya,  Jean 

Yogurt...

I found a recipe for yogurt on the internet...

There were also a lot of videos on Youtube...

I made some years ago,  probably about 30 or more, 

and I remembered it being pretty easy and inexpensive.

So,  because I am waiting for the lousy weather to clear up,  

so I can go gardening,  

I amused myself  by making some yogurt.

I thought you might like the recipe...

YOGURT RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 quart of milk,  it can be whole,  lowfat or fat free

4 tablespoons of regular, plain yogurt, (not greek)

and it must say that it has live cultures in it

You will need a thermometer for this.

You need 2 pint jars with lids,  

I sterilized mine and kept them in the hot water

 until they were ready to use.

I actually had a third small jar ready for the extra overflow, 

as you can see in the picture.  

Just add a little yogurt to it,  probably a teaspoon or so.

Here's how to do it;  

Heat the milk to 180 degrees.

Let it cool down to 110 degrees.  Pour into your warm jars.

Add 2 tablespoons of yogurt to the milk in the jars.  

Stir and put lids on the jars.

Preheat your oven to low (as low as it will go). and then turn it off.

Place the jars on a tray and place in oven.  

Put the light on in the oven and 

let jars sit 8 hours or overnight with the light on.

Remove from oven,  (they will be pretty warm),

 and let sit on the counter until cool.

Place in fridge.

When it is thoroughly cool,  

enjoy!

Save about 4 tablespoons from your first batch to make your next batch and you will never have to buy store bought yogurt again.

I understand that the longer you let it stay in the oven,  the more tart it will be.

I like to add some sweetness to mine by adding some jam or preserves to it.

Fruit is good,  too!  And good for you!

And there you have it,  so easy and so delicious!
Give it a try!

If you have any questions,  just leave them in comments
and I will get right back to you!

'Til next time,
Love ya,  Jean

New camera and Amaryllis...

Look what I got...

My daughter got me a new camera for my birthday...
I am thrilled!
I love it!
It does all I need, and more,
and I am so excited to use it!
What a surprise this was!

This was another surprise!
A second shoot just popped up from the first amaryllis
 that I showed you a while ago...
This is the one called "Desire".
So pretty...

It has been so cold here.  Spring is having a very hard time warming up.  It is in the 40's,  maybe 50 degrees,  and still in the low 40's at night.  It is raining now and this is the third day,  The forecast is calling for another week of cold rain.  So frustrating for me, as I have so much gardening to do and it is not getting done. Give me sunshine,  please!!!  haha  I guess it'll come sooner or later.  You can't mess with Mother Nature,  she always gets her own way!  In the meantime,  I am gardening inside... starting seeds,  tending them,  and watching them grow!  My kind of fun!

'Til next time,

Love ya,  Jean