You Can, Can Can Too!

How do you preserve the summer? I wrote earlier this week that I organized my Canning Cabinet. Organization is essential for canning with ease. I am NOT a canning expert but, I have had some success using the instructions from this little number:

Following this manual, I can break it down to some steps.

First, boil your jars and rings:

Score your tomatoes with an "X" on the bottom:

Here is where the pictures end but,

Next you boil your tomatoes for 30 seconds and then shock them in ice water. This will make the tomatoes easy to peel and seed.

Quarter your tomatoes and place them at the bottom of a hot pan and crush them with a wooden spoon.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Ladel into warm jars with a 1/2-inch headspace.

Secure the lids with the rings tightly and place in the canner.

Bring your canner to a rapid boil. Once a rapid boil is achieved, start the processing time of 45 minutes.

Remove jars from canner to a clean towel and allow to cool over night.

In the morning, check that seal by lightly pressing on the lid. If it doesn't make a popping sound, you know you did it right. If you didn't, refrigorate and use within a week or remove another 1/2-inch and freeze for up to a year.

2 Quarts and 2 Pints and Counting...

Inquiring minds wanted to know...

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

Canning Cabinet

This week, I tackled organizing my canning cabinet. Here is what it look like before with all the dirty glasses and all disorganized:

And here is what it looks like now all shiny and labeled:

Now, I am ready to keep going and can up the rest of summer:-)

Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

Slow-Cooker Beef and Black-Bean Chili

Leave it to Martha to come up with something different to do with chuck roast other than pot roast:-)

I am doing my menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie. So, here is my menu this week:



Also, $5 Dinners inspires us all to make low cost dinners. In that spirit, I am taking what Pick N Save has on sale, pairing it with coupons and coming up with the tastiest money saving around! Beef Chuck Roast is on sale for $3.49/lb. (normally 3.69/lb.)! It's not a huge difference but, I got free onions  I can use in this recipe too. Anyway, I grabbed a bunch to make my featured recipe today:

Slow-Cooker Beef and Black-Bean Chili
Ingredients:
1 lb beef chuck, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
1 cup dried black beans, rinsed
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 Tbs chili powder
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup sour cream, for serving

Directions:
1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine beef, tomato puree, beans, onion (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish), garlic, chili powder, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover, and cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 8 hours). Serve chili topped with sour cream and reserved onion.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (6.7 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients. One of the recipe's ingredients was not linked. This ingredient is not included in the recipe nutrition data.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 453.71
Calories From Fat (51%) 229.67
% Daily Value
Total Fat 25.63g 39%
Saturated Fat 10.94g 55%
Cholesterol 69.93mg 23%
Sodium 216.25mg 9%
Potassium 699.39mg 20%
Total Carbohydrates 34.11g 11%
Fiber 7.61g 30%
Sugar 1.82g
Protein 24.49g 49%

Recipe Type
Beef, Simple Supper, Slow Cooker

Source
Author: Martha Stewart
Web Page: http://www.marthastewart.com/313267/slow-cooker-beef-and-black-bean-chili?czone=food/comfort-foods-center/comfort-foods-dishes&backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/slow-cooker-recipes

Recipe Cost: $6.53 ($6.12 on sale)
Serving Cost: $1.63  ($1.53on sale)



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Processing Tomatoes

I wonder how many of these....

...will come out of my 55 tomato harvest?? Today, we will see:-)

Where Friday Night Lights Starts

Saturday Morning Sun:-)

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

My Life Caught Up with Me

After planning and executing 2 tables for Meet and Greet, 1 Parent Information Night, 1 Leader Meeting to form 3 Girl Scout Troops and 1 PTO Meeting...

and attending a birthday party, a School Board Meeting, a Service Area Meeting, an Action Team Meeting, a Technical Meeting, 2 football games and our own Parent Information Night...

And helping in the classroom and going to 3 doctor appointments...

AND on top of choir and piano lessons over the last 3 weeks...

...my life caught up with me this weekend at camp:-( I came home early with a nasty cough:-( I took the weekend off and am on the mend but man...I will be glad when October is here!

Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This is a great freezer meal: Load all the ingredients into a freezer bag (raw chicken, the sauce ingredients) and then freeze. Thaw the bag overnight in the fridge, then plop the ingredients into your cooker for a fast morning plug-in.


I am doing my menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie. So, here is my menu this week:



Also, $5 Dinners inspires us all to make low cost dinners. In that spirit, I am taking what Pick N Save has on sale, pairing it with coupons and coming up with the tastiest money saving around! Chicken breast is on sal for $1.98/lb. (normally 4.29/lb.)! So, I grabbed a bunch of both to make my featured recipe today:

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 lbs chicken breast
3 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 cup soy sauce (La Choy or Tamari wheat-free are gluten free)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup honey

Directions:
1. Use a 4-quart slow cooker (if using a 6-quart, this will cook faster. Check after 3 hours on high, 5 hours on low).

2. Put the chicken into your cooker. In a small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients, then pour evenly over the top.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4 (I'd go with low---).

4. Serve with basmati rice and steamed or roasted vegetables.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (9.3 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 432.51
Calories From Fat (5%) 23.72
% Daily Value
Total Fat 2.67g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.65g 3%
Cholesterol 98.66mg 33%
Sodium 1519.96mg 63%
Potassium 931.69mg 27%
Total Carbohydrates 58.73g 20%
Fiber 2.3g 9%
Sugar 31.14g
Protein 46.35g 93%

Recipe Type
Chicken, Girl Scout Recipe, Main Course, Quick Meals, Simple Supper, Slow Cooker

Source
Author: A Year of Slow Cooking
Web Page: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/09/honey-garlic-chicken-slow-cooker-recipe.html

Recipe Cost: $8.72 ($5.64 on sale)
Serving Cost: $2.18  ($1.41on sale)



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The Frost is Coming...

...so, I had to pull my tomato crop! 55 tomatoes!! They aren't ready yet but hopefully, they will ripen on the counter so, I will be able to can them this week:-)

Color Selection

This is what the house looks like now:

This is what we are planning on doing:

We chose the darker color so I could do a light shingle-type siding on the top of the side of the house (Pictures to come on this).

We are also planning on builiding a porch where my big garden used to be in front of that picture window. I never liked how the house wasn't square and that garden was always a challenge. I am still going to plant in front of the porch but will be much more manageable!

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

This Weekend

We tackled a lot of sutff this weekend. Lot's of planning for our siding and porch.

AND...

Daddy was helping my youngest learn how to ride her bike without training-wheels. I was going to post video however, my husband is camera-shy and vetoed that submission:-(

Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

Pineapple Sirloin Skewers

This  tasty treatment for beef that relies on a made-in-moments marinade. I plan to serve it with some rice:-)

I am doing my menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie. So, here is my menu this week:



Also, $5 Dinners inspires us all to make low cost dinners. In that spirit, I am taking what Pick N Save has on sale, pairing it with coupons and coming up with the tastiest money saving around! Beef Sirloin is on sale this week for 5.99 (normally 7.99/lb.). So, I grabbed a bunch to make my featured recipe today:

Pineapple Sirloin Skewers
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks
6 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp pepper
1 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch cubes

1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Refrigerate the pineapple. In a small bowl, combine the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, ginger, garlic and pepper. Reserve 1/3 cup marinade for basting and 1/3 cup for serving; cover and refrigerate.

2. Pour the remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add beef cubes. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

3. Drain and discard marinade from beef. On metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread beef and pineapple chunks. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or broil 4-6 in. from the heat until beef reaches desired doneness, basting frequently with one portion of reserved marinade. Serve with remaining marinade

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours and 20 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (11 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 526.49
Calories From Fat (43%) 224.27
% Daily Value
Total Fat 24.49g 38%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 77.11mg 26%
Sodium 990.02mg 41%
Potassium 878.68mg 25%
Total Carbohydrates 38.62g 13%
Fiber 1.11g 4%
Sugar 28.58g
Protein 37.41g 75%

Recipe Type
Beef, Grill, Light Meal, Quick Meals, Simple Supper, Summer

Source
Author: Karen Hamlin
Source: Allrecipes.com
Web Page: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pineapple-sirloin-skewers/detail.aspx

Recipe Cost: $9.87 ($7.87 on sale)
Serving Cost: $2.47  ($1.97 on sale)



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Our Finished Basement?

Well, the basement repair guys left yesterday and here are the results:

Yikes!!! Now THAT is a nightmare!

On a positive note, I have straight walls AND, the hubby is even considering really finishing the basement now! That IS a silver lining:-)

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

How I Paid $10 for $110 Worth of Food

Since our remodel is costing us upwards of $30,000, I am more aware than ever of what we spend. So, I have been watching my money-saving blogs a lot more closely these days and today, I am glad that I did!

Mommy's Wish List posted this AWESOME DEAL from Restaurant.com!

Thanks Mommy for the hookup!!!

Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

Crock Pot Lasagna

This is a great easy make-ahead meal for busy nights. I am going to serve this with a nice side salad and crusty bread so my servings can be smaller and a little healthier:-)

I am doing my menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie. So, here is my menu this week:



Also, $5 Dinners inspires us all to make low cost dinners. In that spirit, I am taking what Pick N Save has on sale, pairing it with coupons and coming up with the tastiest money saving around! Ground beef is free this week with the meal deal! (normally 4.29/lb.) and cottage cheese was on sale too for $2.50  per 24 oz. container (normally $3.19).  And, if you have homemade pasta sauce from your tomato crop it would be even cheaper! So, I grabbed a bunch of both to make my featured recipe today:

Crock Pot Lasagna
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 jar pasta sauce
6 lasagna sheets, uncooked
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 Tbs Parmesan cheese
dried or fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:
1. Brown meat.

2. Mix together the meat and sauce in a bowl; set aside. Break the lasagna sheets in half; set aside.

3. Pour about 1/2 cup meat sauce in the bottom of the crock pot.

4. •arrange 4 lasagna sheets over sauce,

5. •spoon about 1 Tablespoon of cottage cheese over each halved lasagna sheet,

6. •pour about 1/2-3/4 cup meat sauce over the cottage cheese layer,

7. •repeat 2 more times,

8. •then top with mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Servings: 8

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/8 of a recipe (9.1 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 533.48
Calories From Fat (33%) 175.57
% Daily Value
Total Fat 19.3g 30%
Saturated Fat 8.25g 41%
Cholesterol 60.16mg 20%
Sodium 662.56mg 28%
Potassium 669.01mg 19%
Total Carbohydrates 57.51g 19%
Fiber 2.69g 11%
Sugar 5.61g
Protein 30.54g 61%

Recipe Type
Beef, Italian, Main Course, Slow Cooker

Source
Web Page: http://gapeachmom.blogspot.com/2010/06/crock-pot-lasagna.html

Recipe Cost: $12.57 ($4.89 on sale w/ homemade sauce)
Serving Cost: $1.57  ($0.61 on sale w/ homemade sauce)



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First Day of Second Grade

Gotta do that first-day-of-school shot!

And, you gotta have that first-day-after-school cookies and milk.