Tomatos and More Tomatoes

Yesterday's to-list was all completed.  Every day now is different.  Warning:  this is a get-your-cup-of-coffee (or tea) and sit a while post.  It may be my longest yet.  I brought more tomatoes in yesterday too.

Waking up before the sunrise, the barn cat's food and water is checked on my to the kitchen, and then the house cats.  If I don't they will be under my feet when I try to make my morning coffee.  I let a few dogs to let out too.

Coffee made.  A must for my early rise......

Homesteading Tidbits ~ Canning Potatoes

Although I  took Saturday off, yesterday I was busy with preserving (again).  The tomatoes are once again back in the kitchen.  As soon as I free up table space, I fill it back up.

Yesterday, Hubby and two girls went out to pick tomatoes, while I worked on another batch of canned tomato sauce.

Once I had that reducing, I went outside, but did not have intentions of sweating through my clothes again.   I did.  I ended up helping Hubby dig up one entire row (long rows this year) of potatoes.  I think we ended up with maybe 30 pounds.  Less than expected (should have gotten 3 x that amount), but still a good amount.

Sadness

My heart breaks today.  My Aunt passed away early this morning.

 This was a shock, and completely unexpected. 

She was an awesome Aunt, and I often told her she was my favorite.  She always made me laugh.  She was so fun to be around, and so positive.  I will miss writing letters to her. I will miss getting letters from her.  I will miss our chatter about books, and I will miss sending her books.  I will miss sending her home canned jelly and jam, and I will miss her text messages I got when she received anything from me.  I will miss her love,  her love for life, her advice, her family stories,  her laugh, her voice, her generosity, her everything.

If you are a praying sort of person, please keep my mother in your thoughts and prayers.  She is missing her sister pretty badly today.  It will be a very difficult day for us all.  Mom especially.

They're Back. . . .

"They were all gone, and now they're back," said my 17 year-old daughter looking around the kitchen.

"Uh, yeah," I sighed. 

The "How to" on Home Canned Ketchup

This is how I make my ketchup.  

I do not peel my tomatoes because I use a sauce maker (you could also use a food mill).  Wash, trim and slice up 10 pounds of paste tomatoes.  I simply cut my paste tomatoes in 4th's and toss them in the pot.

Cream Cheese ~ Dirt, a Dyson, and a Tomato ~ Hubby Funny

Here is another coffee cup.  Again, from a trip.  I'll make this story short.  This cup is special.  Java Jo's is now longer Java Jo's (although there are still other locations in the US).  It's been changed into a new coffee house with a new name.  Way back in the day, Mom and I took a trip and we stopped in for coffee.  Year's prior to that trip, Java Jo's had a fire, but rebuilt.  When the rebuilt, it changed.  The original was so fun and original.  I miss the old Java Jo's.  I just remember the old look, and the real feel of a coffee house.

Kitchen Madness

We finally got some rain.  It's back to humid and hot.  

I've been busy in the kitchen - freezing green peppers, jalapenos, more green beans, some tomatoes, and cauliflower.  Our popcorn is on, and looks pretty promising (although small), but my watermelon is questionable.

What else have I been up to?