North Country Jelly

Crabapple Jelly is part of my childhood. My parents have a big tree in their back yard and my sister and I spent a lot of time throwing, eating, and all around enjoying the apples every year.
Here is an over-view of making jelly (detailed directions are in the pectin box)

Jelly is hard work I'm not going to lie but it is really fun too.
First go to town chopping up a bevy of crabapples. (plan a couple of hours to make this happen)

Measure it out and boil it down (Crabapples you need 5lbs of apples and 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer.

Strain the fruit pulp through cheesecloth or a strainer. For this jelly you need 7 cups of juice (easier said then done, it's a lot of squishing).
Boil it up and add pectin, boil it again and add sugar (this one needs 9 cups). Boil it some more (1 min).
Laddle the mix into jars, cap and band. Drop into a boiling water bath that will cover the jars for 5 minutes.
Let it set and you've got jelly!

Zucchini Explosion!

Zucchini's never seem to travel in pairs, more than likely they arrive in bushels. My new found abundance of zucchini has arrived and what is a girl to do?
Make a killer veggish meal? Sure why not.
1 zucchinni sliced thickly
1 can of black beans
Rice
Garlic powder
Adobe
Seasame Oil
Olive Oil

Put olive oil in a pan throw in succhinni and black beans. Season and add seasame oil. Cook until tender and serve over rice. I ate with steamed dumplings and loved every bite!

Stitch It Baby

This cutie was whipped up for my friend Erin's little angel Molly.

Molly turns 1 on the 12th and is having a cupcake themed birthday.

The pattern is from http://www.urbanthreads.com/ . Great site with free downloads as well as cheap and chic designs.

Sunday Morning Sweet Rolls

Sweet Rolls are necessary after a night with my ladies and a few bottles of wine.
These are great because all the work is done the night before and even if your headaches the next day you just have to turn on the oven.

20 Frozen Dinner Rolls
Non Stick Spray
Bundt Pan
Chopped Walnuts
Cook and Serve Butterscotch Pudding
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup Butter
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Dish Towel

Spray the bundt pan put in the chopped walnuts. Place the frozen rolls over the nuts. Sprinkle the pudding mix over the top. Melt the butter, mix with the cinnamon and brown sugar. Poor over the rolls.
Place a dish towel over the pan and place in a cold oven. Leave it over night.

In the morning take off the towel (slide a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips-optional but saves on cleaning). Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Turn over on a pan to pop out and ENJOY!!!

It's all in the bag

Lauriginals Shop has some super fun finds including this adorable jeans bag which I absolutely heart http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29121204. Not to mention that the super cute keychain hanging off of it is one of mine! It's a great feeling to know that your crafty goods make it to great homes.

Back in Troy this Weekend

I'm setting up shop once again in Monument Park in Troy for another Tight Knit Event. (This area is at the intersection of Broadway and River and bordered by 2nd street.) 9am-2pm Saturday you can stop by and say hello to my mom, myself and my sister!! Family affair this time around. My normal hodge podge will be on display as well as candles from my sister and photography and hand made cards from my mom.

Hawaiian Stirfry

Hawaiian Stirfry

This meal was based around some frozen dumplings I got at the Asian supermarket down the street.

Maybe to others an Asian supermarket is something you've always had access to. Well, I grew up in the woods, so this is the first time I've been able to attack one and wowie how cool!
Tonight dieing to try them I had to make something that would compliment intro the Hawaiian stirfry.
Can of Pineapple Chunks
Green Pepper cut into strips
Onion cut into strips
Mushrooms quartered
Ham Steak cut into strips
Almond Slices

Put a bit of vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan and throw in your ingredients. Sprinkle with garlic powder and adobo.

Steam those frozen dumplings if you have them and throw on some minute rice. Everything is already cooked or ok to eat raw so heat until the dumplings and or rice is done.
Serve with duck sauce. Takes about 15 minutes :)


Enjoy!!!!

And then there were 3

3 cats! Yes, I am slightly insane. Her face just had to come home with us though.
She is a snugglier with a tendancy to pee on my bed right now but hopefully we can clear that up soon enough. All of our cats have muscian-esque names so this little angel is Etta.
And not to be out done here are the proud big sister and brother Kash (orange) and Rhea (Ray).