Did I say I was finished Canning?

If I recall, I said "I think" ;o)  I just can't help it y'all. I went to Walmart's and what did I see but a 10 bag of 
Russet Potatoes for $2.
Being my mothers child, I couldn't resist the bargain,that's like  a $1. for 5 lbs. so I bought a bag to make me feel good that I didn't miss a bargain. Well after processing them,and letting Cecil give them a taste test (just about a pound). I bought another bag today :o) .As you see I first peeled them and then sliced them up about 1/2 inch thick...laid them on my trays and baked them..didn't take any time at all to cool, then me and Penny ( Jilly won the contest by default :o) managed to get the air out and I learned how to operate Penny a little better. I got about 12 meals, all ready to use any way I like.

I'm really falling in love with "Penny" and glad the company made it easy for me to have the other one exchanged. Idea's are running away with me...I like to put food away, Cecil loves going to the store, I don't. So I can plan meals and not waste. Most folks are on a budget with the economy the way it is...but for some of us, it's a natural thing to SAVE.
My mother used to say she could live on what Cecil and I threw away < those times are long gone. Now I say that to my kids. Wonder will they be saying the same to theirs :o).

Living in a Winter Wonder Land in NORTH CAROLINA!

I never thought I'd see so much snow here in North Carolina, it's quite a surprise. Too bad I'm too old to get out there and have some fun in it :o)...It would just be my luck to break a leg (or my neck) :o)..So I'll enjoy it just looking out the window or watch the TV where some have sent photo's of their snow views and then I snuggle up in my "Chair Bed" more and sip on my "Zero"

 Don't have any special plans for dinner today.. I've got a big container of Collards I can whip into , just have to decide early what kind of meat to unfreeze.. Don't have to worry about anyone but Cecil and I for dinner, and sometimes we go light, cause we can.


UPDATE;  The door bell rang! and to our surprise one of neighbors had shoveled our driveway and cleaned the snow off the car. We didn't hear a thing! Wasn't that a nice thing to do :o) Not only did he shovel the snow he brought back an empty jar for more of my "Chow Chow". I think I got the best end of the treat, and he does too. Today that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy :o) Now NC almost feels like home, if there were more "old fashioned" people around like him to make you feel you belonged.

Last bounty for 2010

Thank goodness! This is the last "Canning" for 2010...remember those pretty Red cabbage!, well Cecil covered them up just about evening in hopes they would "head Up".
Well they didn't "head up" and if we wanted to salvage them, I'd better get my butt in gear and go out in the cold and rescue them before the snow, sleet and rain they said was coming and Kill them.  Yesterday I did just that, They were cold and some leaves were "cold frosted" but were worth claiming.. I managed to get six good sized bags with about 1 1/2 lbs each from the total of the Red, Savoy and regular Cabbage. Not too bad for a first year of raising cabbage..Maybe next year will be better ..we now know to plant about the second week in August for fall cabbage to "head up" :o).. I was able to put the packs into one container so I could keep track of them in the freezer...by the way the "New Baby" worked out fine...so far  I haven't gotten many choices of names for "New Baby" to select from...everyone is busy with Christmas preparations..Well, at least I won't be canning . ( I think ;o)
This would be a good time to wish you all a Merry Christmas,  Prosperous New Year and Good Feasting!

Chicken and Potatoes

I'm a day late putting  this meal on the blog from yesterday, What your looking at is Sweet potatoes and white potatoes with onions,thyme and other seasoning and Agave nectar sprinkled all over ...just had to use up more of those potatoes before they started growing eyes :o)  Then I seasoned up a couple  of chicken legs wrapped some bacon strips on them and roasted them at the same time ..
while I prepared 10 more pounds of chicken legs to cook, debone and cut up for chicken salad & the latter I put into my "new baby"packets and promptly put them into the freezer .. which I got 6 packs /8oz each That's steamed cabbage for the veggie.

Then I'm such a smarty pants, I took the stock from the first batch and this second batch and got These 10 quart jars of chicken stock..One is Corn beef Stock I saved for another dish..I'm not counting the first bag of chicken legs, that I cut the backs out in order to make some home made soup or just fry them up for a Saturday snack (or any day snack) :o)I got up this morning tired! but ready to finish up the project so I could sit back on my laurels :o) 

Thanks to Ladydi, the Lid Fits! :o)

If you all will remember me finding this jar without a lid in Goodwill store....Well thanks to Ladydi, It now has one that fits perfectly, looks neat and it matches my  "New Baby" ;o) it seems good things come to those who wait. Thanks Ladydi, that was a sweet thing to do...Plus the lid was wrapped in a beautiful hand made dish cloth, which I will use (when I have company and brag about it :o) Now send a name for "New Baby" :o)  Ginny

Say Hello to my "NEW BABY" :o)

She arrived Yesterday at about 12:30 pm, and I was too busy running errands before the great storm before I could tell you about her. I'm the typical "Grandma" crowding up the kitchen with all my "necessary" stuff I need to make a meal :o).  I didn't think her Black Dress went well with my kitchen colors, but Lo and behold it did and she makes a grand appearance :o)...I lifted her skirts :o) so you could get a good look at her..she is pretty all over ! She will  cut the size bag I need , and then she can vacuum the air out of the bag.:o) and then she will close it with a heated kiss.

I think she will be a great help to me during the "canning" season, and also with saving leftovers...Already she has saved leftover Pastrami for a sandwich. It's nice and airtight  too.She came just in time..I had her grandmother that I threw out about a month ago (after 30 years :o(  she was bad to the core years ago. Also, last night a package of the Cranberry beans burst! I had used one of those vacuum thingies and it wasn't secure enough to last! :o(
Yesterday I did pick up some Chicken Legs on sale, and when I'm rested a bit, I'm going to see how well she will save them for me..I have many idea's, and I'm willing to listen to some of yours...Do you think I should give her a name instead of "New Baby"? Send me your idea's about it.

Homemade Grav Lox with Cream Cheese (and Pickles)

While I'm waiting for my "New Baby" to arrive I'm eating my way through frustration, by the time it gets here with the weather delivery delays, I'll be as big as a house! :o(
I have to say that the Grav lox has taken some frustration out of my bite.:o) ( I'm trying make puns
and doing a poor job of it). Any
way your looking at a good bit that would have been a half package if I'd bought it.
My dill was limp from being frozen by the cold snap. but I used it anyway and it worked out fine. Next year I'll plant more and by then I hope to have some Row Covers to help protect it from bugs and weather.. Making Grav lox is pretty easy, just takes a little patient waiting for it to "cook"..
Place Salmon (Skin side down) in a glass dish , cover with dill
Mix dry ingrediants
1/2  cup kosher salt
1/2  cup sugar
1  tbl  fennel seeds (ground)
2  tbl White or Black Peppercorns (ground)

put dry ingrediants over dill, place other portion of salmon (meat side) on top.
place a plate on top of the whole thing, then place a heavy object (can,or covered brick)
let sit in Fridge for 1-3 days, it will "weep" , spoon that "weep" back over the Salmon.
on the 3rd or 4th day..wipe dry ingrediants off Salmon, slice thin in a slant and enjoy!
I got this recipe from my "barefoot contessa, back to basics" Cookbook