Relish the Thought....

I like to try different things ~ step outside my comfort zone once in awhile

and although my mother in law in the one that

makes the jam and pickles in the family

I decided to give it a go this year

I made mustard relish one year

and peach freezer jam

I must have been going through a Martha phase or something

then I made hot dog relish

and it was a success ~ thankfully the recipe lasts us about 2 years

so that is a every other year kind of job 

canning is a LOT of work

especially when you work full time

outside the home and have 2 days a week

to get it all done as coming home at 6:30 and pickling

is not high on my list of things I like to do after work

so this year I thought I would make my boy's favourite relish

Chow Chow

I am not a fan but I got the recipe from my girlfriend

and decided to give it a go

it's pretty simple actually with basic ingredients

green tomatoes, onions, sugar and vinegar

easy peasy

I am pleased to say that it turned our perfectly

and tastes good too ~ so I have been told

for anyone wanting the recipe

here you go:

Chow Chow

5 1/2 lbs green tomatoes - stem ends and cores removed, sliced

1 1/2 lbs onions, cut up

1/3 cup coarse (pickling) salt

3 1/3 cups granulated sugar

4 1/2 tbsp mixed pickling spice - tied in a double layer of cheesecloth

2 tsp tumeric

2 cups white vinegar

Layer tomato, onion and salt in a large saucepan.  Cover and let stand on counter overnight.

Drain

Add 4 remaining ingredients.  Vinegar should just be a bit visible as too much will make excessive juice.  Heat until sugar is dissolved.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer uncovered stirring occasionally for 2 hours.  More tumeric can be added for colour and more sugar can be added for taste.  In order to obtain and accurate taste cool a spoonful and then sample.  

Discard cheesecloth bag.  Pour into hot prepared pint jars within 1/2 inch of top.  Place lids on jars and screw metal bands on securely.  For added assurance against spoilage, you may choose to process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.  Makes 4 pints ~ 8 cups. 

Trevor was not home when I made it so I ran next door for the "taste test"

I did not add any extra sugar or tumeric and the finished product is shown here.

Enjoy with any type of meat or scalloped potatoes.

Let me know if you try it ~ it's a Maritime favourite!!

Our Love Story

with Valentines day

right around the corner ~ like tomorrow

I thought I would share our love story

I met Trevor through my cousin Donny

back in high school

we were friends first

always a little spark ~ but nothing we really acted upon

we spent many summers together

he was at family gatherings ~ parties ~ celebrations

he was an adopted son of the "Stiles" clan

we went to dances and he had seen me at my best

and my not so best

this was 1983

with my cousin's Donny and Gina

and Trev and I ~ bookends

we look so so young!

we got close a couple of times over the years

but by then he had went away to school

then got a job in a neighbouring city

we would joke ~ when are we going to get married I would ask

quit your job ~ move to Saint John and I will marry you

no deal ~ I need a ring first

and I was climbing the corporate ladder ~ career focused

I loved what I did

fast forward to Easter weekend 1999

Donny was having a bonfire ~ a little party

did I want to come out to it?

Will Trevor be there?  Yes!  He is living back in Moncton

and he is coming out for the night

so off I went and Trevor was there

we both stayed over

and stayed up all night talking and holding hands

he said he would call ~ and he did

we got together the following Friday

and have been together ever since

there was no pretence ~ no acts

because we were friends first 

I think that helped our relationship

I knew that I had fallen in love with this boy

when one day I drove him to where he was storing his vintage truck

(I always wanted a boy with a pickup truck)

as I was following him back home I feared 

what if there is an accident and he gets hurt

what if I lose him

yes ~ that was the day that I knew it was meant to be

we moved in together that September

and the summer of 2000 we set a date to get married

the following summer

August 2001

one of my favourite days ever

I still love this boy of mine

with all my heart

we have been through so much

and at the end of the day ~ he is the one I want beside me

in sickness and in health

for richer for poorer

in good times and in bad

he still holds the key....

Just Add Sprinkles...

Today is a very special day

the kind that you just want to put sprinkles on top of...

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it is my boy's birthday today

and after sending him off with a hug & kiss this morning

I will make him a treat and leave it in the fridge 

with a note so he will get it at lunch time

then tonight we will head out to dinner

and it is his choice

Happy Birthday Baby ~ I love you!

Happy Wednesday!

xo

Be My Valentine

today I celebrate

the man that makes my heart happy

he makes me laugh

and is my anchor in stormy seas

we do not need a special day to say

I Love You

as it is spoken each and every day

tonight we will not be going out to dinner

we also do not need a special occasion in order to do that

today he is going in for dental surgery

how romantic!

so tonight I will be heating up some soup I think

and taking care of my boy.

just to update...

Mom is doing very well ~ had supper last night for the first time

in over 2 weeks

she kicked that feeding tube to the curb

and her breathing is better

I think this Valentines will be my favorite one ever

as I think she will be out of ICU this week

such great news

whatever you plan today
do it with love
and a spring in your step.

xo

1968 ~ Lunar Green

I am not a car nut ~ I know what I like

and if it is a pretty colour then all the better

Trev was quite put out when I posted on Monday 

about the week-end and said that the truck was a '67

I stand corrected ~ it is a '68

and although the only Ford I said I would drive in

would be a Mustang ~ I do get into the truck

because it is pretty!

Because of my snafu on the year ~ I decided to dedicate

and entire post to it....

Trev had this truck when we got together

it was me and my cat

him and his truck

when we were looking for a house

one of the things that was a must was a garage

for the truck

he is the 2nd owner ~ the person that bought it and 

drove it off the lot passed away 

and it was sold as part of the estate

Trev has had it ever since

she is "3 on the tree"

and no ~ I have never driven it ~ ever

it is in mint condition and gets stored from about 

October to May

and there you have it ~ the '68 Ford

in Lunar Green