We successfully made our first batch of jam last week. It went so well that we made two more batches of the stuff. We now have a freezer full of strawberry-blackberry jam. After we were done, I realized we'd have to eat more than a jar each month to finish it within a year (the supposed expiration). Based on our consumption history of jam, I think we may end up giving some away.
We got the strawberries from CostCo, of course. We got the blackberries from the vines growing over our fence from our neighbor. I guess she'll be first in line for free jam. :)
We had to wash the blackberries quite thoroughly, however. A highly disproportionate amount of them were covered in cobwebs. As it turns out, there are about 6,000 little orange web-spinning spiders living in our yard. Gary and I watched one spin a web from scratch the other day. Right as he was finishing up, a little fly made a wrong turn and ended up in it. And sure enough, the spider ran right up to wrap him up. That's when I stopped watching. At any rate, there are lots of spiders spinning webs all over the place. For example, a spider decided it would be a good idea to spin a great big invisible web right in front of the mailbox. Joy. So I pretty much just flail my arms around out of habit now when I go outside.
A few weeks ago, Gary left me. To go to California. On a dam testing trip. He was gone for almost a week. I ate bagels and cereal. He went to Downtown Disney.
Then he came home!! I was super duper excited. And then he left me again. Two days later. To go to Illinois.
When he came home again, I knew what I needed to do. I started brainwashing him. "Oh, I'm so glad you're home and you're never going to leave me ever again! You're so happy about that!"
I think it's working.
I think Gary felt bad about going to Downtown Disney without me. He brought me back a pamphlet as a souvenir and, after I read it as my good night story for a couple nights in a row, he said we could go to Disneyland! So for Family Home Evening the next Monday, we planned our trip. We're heading out to the magical kingdom on September 1.
On a less happy note, I had my gallbladder tested. It's normal. So we still don't know what's wrong with me. Sigh. I keep thinking about Thomas Edison's attitude when he said, "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." I doubt he would feel the same way if each attempt cost him a few hundred bucks...
We got the strawberries from CostCo, of course. We got the blackberries from the vines growing over our fence from our neighbor. I guess she'll be first in line for free jam. :)
We had to wash the blackberries quite thoroughly, however. A highly disproportionate amount of them were covered in cobwebs. As it turns out, there are about 6,000 little orange web-spinning spiders living in our yard. Gary and I watched one spin a web from scratch the other day. Right as he was finishing up, a little fly made a wrong turn and ended up in it. And sure enough, the spider ran right up to wrap him up. That's when I stopped watching. At any rate, there are lots of spiders spinning webs all over the place. For example, a spider decided it would be a good idea to spin a great big invisible web right in front of the mailbox. Joy. So I pretty much just flail my arms around out of habit now when I go outside.
A few weeks ago, Gary left me. To go to California. On a dam testing trip. He was gone for almost a week. I ate bagels and cereal. He went to Downtown Disney.
Then he came home!! I was super duper excited. And then he left me again. Two days later. To go to Illinois.
When he came home again, I knew what I needed to do. I started brainwashing him. "Oh, I'm so glad you're home and you're never going to leave me ever again! You're so happy about that!"
I think it's working.
I think Gary felt bad about going to Downtown Disney without me. He brought me back a pamphlet as a souvenir and, after I read it as my good night story for a couple nights in a row, he said we could go to Disneyland! So for Family Home Evening the next Monday, we planned our trip. We're heading out to the magical kingdom on September 1.
On a less happy note, I had my gallbladder tested. It's normal. So we still don't know what's wrong with me. Sigh. I keep thinking about Thomas Edison's attitude when he said, "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." I doubt he would feel the same way if each attempt cost him a few hundred bucks...