The Front Porch Swing

[enola]

When do you add the spices? When starting to cook? Or later?

Mike says he wants to try this recipe.

 

[Alice28]

I may need to make some apple butter. I went to my aunts house last weekend and for the first time canned applesauce. Last year I just made it and froze it. This weekend I should be going over again to make more

 

[rrrmamma]

When do you add the spices? When starting to cook? Or later?

Mike says he wants to try this recipe.

You add the spices when you start to cook it. Everything goes in at once. I always have to cook mine a little longer without the lid to get it as thick as I like it. It does thicken a little as it cools. I made some this morning and it still isn't quite where I want it. I am going to leave it in the refrigerator tonight and reheat and jar it tomorrow. It is too late tonight. I don't like to serve this to guests because they guilt me into giving them a jar and I run out way to soon. LOL These apples come from 2 wild trees on my property and I have to fight the deer for every apple so I don't get to make more than a few pints a year. I use an apple peeler that spiral slices. I think it' s too chunky so I use a stick blender to break up the pieces after they cook down. It is a matter of what texture you like. It is a good basic recipe and you can play with the spices and textures and it still is yummy.

 

[rrrmamma]

I may need to make some apple butter. I went to my aunts house last weekend and for the first time canned applesauce. Last year I just made it and froze it. This weekend I should be going over again to make more

guess I like canning better because we are prone to long power outages here in the winter. If it is canned I won't lose it. I am thinking of canning some meat I have in the freezer, especially some chicken for the same reason. I bought a pressure canner last year and never used it. I think I am afraid of it. Guess I had better learn. I want a pressure cooker too. All my friends pressure cook their roosters and can the meat and the broth. I need to try that.

 

[Alice28]

guess I like canning better because we are prone to long power outages here in the winter. If it is canned I won't lose it. I am thinking of canning some meat I have in the freezer, especially some chicken for the same reason. I bought a pressure canner last year and never used it. I think I am afraid of it. Guess I had better learn. I want a pressure cooker too. All my friends pressure cook their roosters and can the meat and the broth. I need to try that.

This is my first time canning. It just kind of intimidated me before. But now I see how easy it is. My mom use to can everything and I'd like to can more now. It just takes up to much freezer space and some things don't really work to freeze

 

[wyoDreamer]

In the canning thread, someone just posted a link to Beer Jelly. I was thinking, now why would anyone need Beer Jelly? Then I read through the recipe and it says have it on rye bread toast with cream cheese and beer jelly on top. So, now I'm thinking, yah, maybe that would be alright for some. Then it says, great as a sauce when roasting pork and yah, I can kinda see that also. Maybe I need to try making Beer Jelly, if only for the novelty of it and to give as a Christmas gift to those who actually like beer, like most of my family.

 

[Alice28]

In the canning thread, someone just posted a link to Beer Jelly.  I was thinking, now why would anyone need Beer Jelly?  Then I read through the recipe and it says have it on rye bread toast with cream cheese and beer jelly on top.  So, now I'm thinking, yah, maybe that would be alright for some.  Then it says, great as a sauce when roasting pork and yah, I can kinda see that also.  Maybe I need to try making Beer Jelly, if only for the novelty of it and to give as a Christmas gift to those who actually like beer, like most of my family.

Oh my gosh, there's a canning thread! Going to go find it NOW!

 

[wyoDreamer]

OK folks, time for a little pitty party for myself. I hope I don't offend, and please, do not blast me for this, I just need to unload and you have been chosen as an outlet. You have always been very supportive and kind.

I am the socially inept child in the family, the middle child of 5 daughters. I have always been very super shy and quiet. I have not been very active with my family for years. But that is not because I don't care, but because of my inability to react correctly in social situations. Boy, that sounds bad, the truth is I just never know what to say. Plus, for the last 30 years I have lived no closer than 4 hours away from them. Too many times I have tried to respond to someone and have said the wrong thing and got laughed at or started a fight. So I choose not to say anything at all and lock it all inside. But you can't hold it inside forever, and it will get out and mostly it escapes at the most inopportune time. on the reverse side of this, if you don't say anything, it is assumed that you don't care.

One of my older sisters and I have never been close, but I love her very much. We are very different people and have always seemed to conflict. I was the nerdy, geek of a sister who was an embarrassment to the popular, homecoming queen that she was. from my view of the world, she always let me know it and that feeling has always stuck with me. We never call each other and just talk about life, I never got to know her kids (we lived 4 hours away and hardly ever got together besides Christmas and sometimes Easter). I never sent gifts because I didn't know what to get and if I asked for suggestions I would get a "I don't know, they have everything".

Well, my sister has been battling cancer for the last year. She has responded well to the chemo and radiation, and chose to have a double mastectomy. When her cancer fight started, she had sent out a couple of emails about what was going on, and about her second round of chemo, I had called her to talk and try to give her some support and tell her that I love her. We had talked a little bit about nothing really and then she said "you know you don't have to call me when you get an email" and I said something like "yeah, I am sure that you have a great support network of friends to help you through this" or something stupid, but that is the last time she ever sent me an update about what was going on. I really wanted to let her know that I love her and hope that everything turns out great for her. Anything that I heard was all second hand through my oldest sister.

She mentioned about 3 weeks ago in passing, that she was going to try to have the reconstructive surgery this week if her health insurance would allow it. I think I mumbled something about I hope it all goes well. But I never heard anything else about it. This morning I got a text message - I don't have a clue from who - that said "FWD: In case you haven't gotten word. (your sister) is possibly going back into surgery for the third time this morning. She developed a blood clot and tissue died in one breast after first surgery. Maybe trying a different procedure. Keep her in your prayers ..."
How do I respond to this?!? I am just sitting here at the dining room table with tears in my eyes praying to God to watch over my sister.

I ended up as a FWD: in my family and haven't any idea how to get back in ... I love them all ...

 

[Wisher1000]

That is a tough place to be, Wyodreamer, but it doesn't have to be where you stay. It's not too late. The ultimate show of support would be to get in a car and go. Even if you don't say anything, your presence will say it all. If that is not possible, call a sibling or anyone there and ask for an update. Let them know that you wanted to come but can't because of ............ (be sure that it is a legitimate reason.) End the call with "I love you, and tell her I love her, too.)

I had a friend in college that lost her mom and dad in a car accident. She was devastated but thankful that she had talked to them the same morning and had told them both that she loved them. We had not been the "Love you!" type of family prior to that but I made up my mind that I was going to tell the people I care about how I feel. It was NOT easy the first few times. I had some of them stuttering and not knowing what to say. My dad, especially, was surprised the first time I ended a phone conversation with "you know I love you, right?" If I love someone, they know it. I don't care if it embarrasses me, or them, it needs to be said. Now, my whole family ends phone calls we have with "I love you" and even with each other. I started that, and I am proud of it. I tell my friends that I love them, too. I have even sent PMs to BYC fiends to let them know that they mean a lot to me.

As far as casual conversation goes, you don't have to be good at it, let your actions speak for you when you can, and if you feel you have said something wrong, just correct it. I often have to say to a friend, wait, that didn't sound right, what I meant was.......... .

You obviously care, I can hear it in your writing. Your family knows you, or at least knows that you are quiet, they deserve to know how you feel as well. That will only happen when you show them and tell them and everyone will be closer for it.

You can build closer relationships with them, I have faith in you. Presents on birthdays are lovely, but not necessary, cards work, as do phone calls or e-mails. Or, you can just call and let them know you were thinking about them when it's not their birthday. Start slow, build it up to where you want it to be. Four hours is not too far. Go for it.

 

[LadyCluck77]

We can all only be ourselves- I think a very simple answer of "(my sister) will be in my prayers" would be fine. It is heartfelt and true.
I'm not super socially inclined either, usually of few words, but I find that simple heartfelt sentences never sound forced and usually come across as caring. I'd bet your family knows that you're not a talker- so they're probably trying to make it easier for you.

Sometimes I practice taking just because it takes me a little out of my comfort zone, heck, maybe the practice is good- maybe it helps some.

In a few days, I don't think your sister would mind a brief phonecall- "I know you must be tired so I'll be brief, but I just wanted to tell you I've been thinking about you, and I hope you're on the mend"
If she says "you don't have to call"... you could always tell the truth and say "I know, but I wanted to. I'm not great with words but I care about you and just wanted to let you know" And kind of leave off with "if there's anything I can do please let me know"...

Good luck- and I hope your sister is on the mend soon!