Hello Beautifuls!

I think apple jelly has to be one of the prettiest canned items. When the light hits it just right, it glows!


It's so pretty it almost poses for you! And it tastes soooo good!


I love to can jellies and jams because my boys love to eat it. They love peanut butter and any kind of jelly sandwiches. Apple is one of their favorites. It had better be because I made 21 half pints of this golden deliciousness today!


I have made this with cinnamon sticks added and others with mint but in the end we all like the plain apple best. Mmmmm, I look forward to curling up in front of the fireplace with a piece of homemade bread slathered with this and a little butter while I watch the snow fall. All the hard work in the summer is so worth it when you get to enjoy it the rest of the year!

Dirt Cat is home

He's still very dizzy and has to be kept up so he doesn't hurt himself or something hurt him. He has improved since Monday and hopefully he will continue improving. I don't think the vet knows exactly what's wrong with him. First thought was poisoning, ruled that out and went to head injury, decided against that and said inner ear, then went to toxoplasmosis. After doing my own research I think he has Feline Vestibular Disease. He has these exact symptoms so I am hoping he makes a full recovery. He is on antibiotics and Antivert for his dizziness.

More good news: The construction guy came out last night and looked at the floor joist. He says he can repair the joists and install a new vapor barrier to stop the condensation for $600 - $700. I was thinking in the thousands and that it might involve ripping my kitchen floor out. He says it can be done from beneath so we are so happy and THANKFUL!

We have open house for the kindergarten class tonight so I need to fix some supper, check on the kitty and the goats. With everything else going on I forgot to mention that our baby goats are due within the next 10 days! I have them both in their stalls with fresh bedding....it's just a waiting game now. I will post pics as soon as we have new arrivals!

Don't forget to check out the give away!

"Attitude of Gratitude" Give Away

THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED: WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

Is it a sin to blog 3 times in one day? If so then I'm bad!

I am calling this my "Attitude of Gratitude" give away - thank you for the name Oakie (Arlene) - in honor of all I am thankful for plus I just like to give stuff away! It makes me feel good, so there's something in it for me too!

Here it is....a little bit of Summer and a little bit of Fall!
Shopping list, picture frame and album in a cute gift bag, an address book, 3 adorable little fall scented candles, some peach mango lotion and a dance, love and sing coffee mug!

Here's how to enter:
Tell me what you are thankful/grateful for!

Blog about it and get an extra entry, just leave me an additional comment with a link to the post mentioning the give away!

Contest will end a week from today, September 8 at 8:00 am Central time. Winner will be announced soon after.

Apple Pie

My edges aren't very pretty. My bottom crust needed to be a bit longer but I was in a hurry!

Apple Pie
6 tart apples peeled
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 T. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. vinegar
4 chunks butter
2 9-inch pie crusts

Peel and slice apples. Soak apples in water with 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent darkening. Mix sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt and vinegar in a large bowl. Drain water off apples and mix with spices. Dump apples into a 9-inch pie crust. Place about 4 chunks of butter on top of apple pie filling. Place other crust on top and seal edges. Poke a few holes in the top crust before placing in oven. (I like to do the lattice from time to time because it reminds me of my Aunt Gracie. I always loved her apple pies!) Cut a few long strips of tin foil to cover the edges of your pie to prevent them from burning. Remove these strips of foil during the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking. Bake at 400 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

A New Day

really makes a difference. Yes, I baked my apple pie and I had 2 pieces....with vanilla ice cream! I will be posting the recipe in a bit. I want to thank everyone for your support yesterday. I'm usually not a whiny, cup half empty blogger but yesterday overstepped a few boundaries in the stress department so I feel justified! But today is a whole new day and I'll give you my updates...

Dirt Cat is still at the vets. I called to check on him yesterday and the vet said he was thinking it was a head injury and had more tests to run but when I called this morning, he said he had started him on some meds, that he was now leaning towards an inner ear problem. We should know by this afternoon if the meds are going to have any effect. I miss him so much. I never knew how much he was a part of my day and how there are so many little things he did that reminds me of him until he's not here.

In honor of a whole new day, I am having a give away! I'll be doing a separate thread for it in a little while!
Here's a little hint...it includes these cute little candles...

And I will spend today being thankful that in this economy we have a house to live in even if I may fall through my kitchen floor (ok, it's not that bad.....yet....and that I got Dirt Cat to the vet, he is still with us and everything that can be done is being done for him.
And also being thankful for my many, many other blessings God has given me like a happy, healthy family and wonderful friends just to name a couple.

There are far, far worse things in life than a few rotten floor joist. May you all have a happy day....me included! Now where did I put the rest of that pie??