YUM

I totally blew off my Saturday. I can't remember the last time I actually CLEANED my house! Huhoney has been so good to do the things I hate to spend time doing on the weekends! Mop floors, clean toilets....the one thing he hates to do it DUST! Yeah can you believe it! DUST, he would rather clean bathrooms! Hey, ya gotta love it right?
So anyway, I decided to see a chick flick with a friend. "The Proposal". It was totally a chick flick, predictable, and funny. It was hot on Saturday. About 103 here. But ...I was a good doobee and as the sun started to set did the hour bike ride. I caught a glimps of a rainbow in the sky, and once again was breathless at God's hand in all things.

Sunday was another scorcher. 105. I had huhoney uncover the pool, I decided that I was going to relax and enjoy this hot weather on a floaty in my pool, so....I decided that I had better can the apples from my wonderful tree before indulging in the pool. Ya right. 4 hours later....(I didn't get started until after church services) it was too late. Bummer! But I was so proud of my little jars!

So I thought I would share a fun receipe with you. You can make quart jars, (that would make a whole pie) or pint jars (because that is all I had) and pint jars work well because there is only the 2 of us. I normally would make a home made pie from scratch but this is so much easier! Open up a jar and make yummy apple turn overs. Just buy some Pillsbury Crescent rolls, spoon the delicious apple filling onto a crescent roll, bake, and make your own frosting to squeeze on top.

So here is a delicious receipe.

What you need:

*Apples - that's pretty important.

*Large pot- to make the heavenly syrup

*ladel- to scoop the heavenly syrup into the jars

*jars- to put the freshly picked (or bought) apples into

*tongs- to pluck those hot jars out of the boiling bath water

*covered canner - quart size or pint size

*potatoe peeler - to peel the apples (I found this to work AWESOME) no waste!

*apple corer thingy- to wedge the apples

*jar thingy to place inside the jars - (it keeps the lip of the jars clean) while stuffing the jars...

ADD EXTRA'S



*PATIENCE

*some good treats to snak on while canning



*Soft slippers or a cushy rug to stand on, because you will be standing for a while!

*AND....1 willing Huhoney to be the POT LICKER! (hehehe)


Canned Apple Pie Filling
Use cooking or baking type apples to make homemade, canned apple pie filling.
7 cups sugar
1- 3/4 cup cornstarch
3-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3-1/2 tsp. salt
2-1/2 quarts water.
1/4 cup lemon juice
10 pounds tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
3 drops yellow food coloring (optional) I didn't do this..
Preparation - In a stockpot, mix the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Add the water and stir to mix well. Bring to a boil and cook until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add the lemon juice and food coloring; set aside. Peel, core, and slice the apples into wedges (about 8 wedges per apple). Pack the apples into hot, sterilized canning jars, leaving a 1/2" headspace. Fill the jars with the prepared hot syrup. Draw a non-metallic knife through the contents of each jar to remove the air bubbles. Wipe the rims and place the caps on the jars. Adjust the lids and process in a boilng water bath canner for 20 minutes.


The apples from my tree were not HUGE but they were just the right size for canning. I peeled and cubed 3 to 4 apples per jar. (about 10 lbs. in all) layerd the apples and syrup so that the apples wouldn't turn brown on me.



It has been years since I have canned. I was just a little proud of myself for not having lost the touch! Huhoney was proud too!


And to top it off, since I had blown off the pool and was in the "apron" baking mode, I made a delicous "Blueberry" layered desert for Huhoney. It is his favorite. I just can't resist a happy smile and HUHONEY!

That receipe another day!

NEW FRIENDSHIPS

The Bella Sinclair was created by Ces in honor of her dear friend Bella to celebrate art, inspiration, friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring.

I am so grateful for the friendships that I have made through the wonderful world of BLOG. A person can never have enough friends. There really are good people in this crazy world and finding them is not all that hard to do! I have never been given an award and I am happy to receive this special award from a "new" found friend! Thank you Eileen for thinking of me in a special way! I NEVER in my wildest thoughts, thought that I would become a "blogger" and enjoy it! My sis is probably laughing right now because I moaned and groaned when she set my blog up for me in the first place! I still ask her to do "stuff" for me to make my blog 'better' and I am still learning to do things on my own (a little). I truely enjoy all of my blogger buddies who I love to visit each day. Thanks to all who have let me catch a small glimps into their world!

I am happy for these others who I now forward the Bella Sinclair Award on to:

my best friend in the world and sis Terrie who I so toally admire!

http://terriespot.blogspot.com/

my sweet niece Emily (ERMA) who always keep me smiling...

http://burrellcamp.blogspot.com/

and my so talented sister-in-law who is so compasionate

and puts up with my brother!

http://utahquiltnut.blogspot.com/

THE LONG GREAT FISH TALE!

ok, ok, ok...I know, I am not one to be a bragger...but...I just can't help it! Huhoney and I were invited to go fishing with some friends on Friday July 3rd. We haven't been fishing for a while (together), Huhoney goes a lot with his fishing buddies but it has been a while since I have gone. It has been a while since I have caught a fish. I am thinking....maybe I don't get invited much because I open my mouth and proclaim that I am the queen of fisher women. I will either catch the BIGGEST, or the FIRST fish of the day and I usually have to proclaim that when we start to fish...So...we drove a couple of hours to a lake here in Southern Utah. The drive is so beautiful. We went up Cedar Breaks above Cedar City. We were to meet our friends there who had rented a pontoon (boat) for the afternoon. We brought sandwich makings and goodies to munch on. A fishing trip isn't a fishing trip without all the JUNK food to eat. I dressed in my very snazzy fishing attire. It was a little chilly day and I was bummed because I wanted to stretch my arms and legs out and get a tan. That is what you do when you go fishing ya know. It isn't all about the FISH! But the weather was very overcast.

The wind was blowing. Storm clouds invaded the sun. We set anchor a couple hundred feet off shore where the boat renter man told us to go (we were up at Panquitch Lake). The boat renters wife said she caught a HUGE fish that morning, so we were all excited to catch our limit. Every one got settled in. Poles were out in the water. Nothing. An hour went by. Nothing. We joked and ATE JUNK. Nothing. Not even a nibble. So after a couple of hours of NOTHING we went around the lake looking for the friends daughter who was with another friend in kayaks. After friends dad dumped daughter in the lake....it was very cold and it was accidental...trying to get daughter in the boat, more food was eaten and we decided to take the kayaks back to shore because the big black clouds were NOT giving us a break. We still had the boat for another 3 hours and decided we should go back out. So...we did. Did I mention that I either catch the FIRST or the BIGGEST fish whenever we go fishing? We dropped anchor AGAIN (3rd time) and I used some sparkle, bright green, smelly POWER BAIT. Huhoney likes to throw my line out. He feels a sense of....husband duty hood, when he does, because (he does it so much better and further than I do). I let him, because that is what I do, with a thank you and kiss. hehehe. (although I am not too bad at it when the wind isn't blowing)...anyway...I sit back. Enjoy our company. Laughing having a good ole time and BAM, MY POLE BOUNCED OFF THE SEAT and my heart just jumped out of my throat....I grabbed the ole trusty right handed pole and gave it a good SET! (YANK) I GOT A FISH I GOT A FISH I GOT A FISH, everyone was telling me not to get too excited, keep my tip up, keep reeling, keep, keep, keep, keep, OK, OK, OK, and then the MONSTER jumped out of the water....I saw a fin...I thought I had caught a SHARK! (not in these fresh waters but...) I kept my tip up and reeled that puppy in! Got it up to the boat and HUHONEY was there....with the life saving net to capture that fish. PHEW, talk about excitement. Well after my catch...everyone decided they wanted to try the bait I was trying and the spot I was in...but, too late. I had caught the daddy of BIG daddy's for the day...and we didn't get another bite! It was a good day. We documented the catch at the boat dock. 5 lb. 20 inch Rainbow Trout.

I know I am a show off, but can you blame me!

Since this was a team effort and we actually were INVITED ON THIS TRIP everyone was invited to get in on the action!

Huhoney waited to clean this monster at home becasue he wanted to see what he had in his belly. NOT A THING. NOT ONE THING. NOT EVEN A FLY!

Huhoney and I ended our ride with a stop at Cedar Breaks over look.

It absolutely takes your breath away. I could not stop taking pictures of the sunset.

Please Huhoney I am about to have a complete anxiety attack! I asked Huhoney to PLEEZE get away from the edge. THE SIGN CLEARLY STATES to stay away from the edge. I have a horrible fear of falling from a cliff or driving off a cliffs edge. Just a fear I try and conquer but have a very hard time with. This man has NO FEARS!

Cliffs edge........

The beautiful HOODOOS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodoo_(geology)are just mind boggeling! This is what I get to witness on a lazy afternoon drive only a couple hours from home.

it looks like a fairy tale rock castle

Nature is so incredible....so is God!

We stopped in at the Ranger Station before going home and listened to some Indian Folklore stories. We spotted MANY deer on the trip out of the canyon. A perfect day.

I guess I have been overwhelmed with not knowing what to blog. Yes I know, I started the Alaskan adventure thing
and then I did a couple of posts and wondered...hmmm this is silly, no one wants to see your vacation. How dumb to continually put a post together about YOUR vacation. Well, maybe I am feeling down or something...I don't know, I am not an everyday poster but I am an everyday poster reader! Maybe I am feeling sorry for myself about...something...what?? hmmm maybe after I post this I will feel better. I need to practice what I preach to my children...
YEAH, I WILL FEEL BETTER... after all...it is a beautiful day...the sun is shining, it is going to be a warm (hot) 103 degrees today in beautiful St. George and the 4th of July is almost here!
YEAAAAA a 3 day weekend to do whatever I want! Actually I do know what is bothering me...normally this time every year, I have all of my children together. My sweet daughter and her two beautiful girls always visit for 3 weeks and then my son Mike and his family come down from up North, Brad comes over with his family we have a NOISY BUSY BUSTLING HOUSE FULL OF LAUGHTER, SCREAMS, FIGHTING, CRYING, SWIMMING IN THE POOL, PARTY, CRAZY weekend! But...the daughter is not here...Mike is staying up North and doing his OWN family thing, which they so totally need to do, their home is always so busy with guests and people in and out all the time, I am honestly glad that they are taking time for themselves...and Brad...well I probably will see him and his family before his wife and children are gone to Lake Powell with her family for a week. Oh my gosh, I haven't mentioned this...Tera (son Brad's wife) is expecting baby in February. Koltyn just turned 1 in May and has only been walking for 6 weeks or so....let's hope he is out of diapers before the baby arrives! They are excited for their new arrival and we are also very excited to have our 8th grandbaby! Huhoney and I are thinking of going fishing. Yes we should do that. Just get out of Dodge and go fishing. Soak up the sun. OH! I was tagged. I have never been tagged before but I was. I was tagged to tell you 7 random things about myself by Jerelene. so...here goes

1. I am a people pleaser, that is not always a good thing. Huhoney thinks it sometimes gets me into spots because I always want to please and unfortunately some people like to take advantage of people pleasers.

2. I have 5 brothers and a sister. My three older brothers and I were born in Holland . These are 4 of my 5 brothers. and my parents immigrated to the states when I was 6 months old. I never knew my grandparents although I did meet my mothers parents when we went back for a summer trip when I was 8 yrs. I think that is why I want to be the dotting grandmother I never had. I have tons of relatives (in Holland and Canada) that I don't even know! But my oldest brother keeps in touch with most of them so that is good.

3. I love to crochet. When I make something (usually a baby something or other) I love to give it away. Usually it is to someone I don't even know, hoping that one of my "Huggables" will bring a smile to their face and they might remember to do something kind for someone else.

4. I don't like to cook. Never have. Probably never will. Although I can cook and I do make delicious dishes, I just never ENJOYED it.

5. I love a good book. Someone usually needs to tell me about a book before I pick it up to read it. I love books in series because it excites me to think that the story hasn't ended and then I can't wait to buy the others! (silly)
6. I adore my children. HA. I adore my grand babies. HA. No one would ever guess that of me. lol

7. I consider myself a faithful and spiritual person. I love my Savior and Father in Heaven. I am not ashamed to admit that ever. I would be nothing without them. I feel blessed every day that I am surrounded by good people and friendships that share that same love.

8. Huhoney is.....my soul mate. We met when I was 15 and he was in the Marine Corps. with my older brother, ready to be shipped out to Vietnam. I didn't know it then, but he said the minute he laid eyes on me he knew I was the one. Of course I was only 15 and...I was writing many Marines letters (because my brother had them write me)during this Era. 3 years later...we were married.

9. I was a ballet dancer. I always thought growing up that I would dance the rest of my life. I was fortunate to be taught by a soloist with the Utah ballet group called "Ballet West" (John Hiatt) if you look up Ballet West John Hiatt you will find lots of very cool stuff about him. My instructor for 8 years as well as family friend. I danced for many years, and loved it. But my soul mates love won over my dancing career. I was a talented dancer. I cry when I watch a beautiful ballet performance even to this day. There is so much expression in dancing. I think that is why I love it so much. I am addicted to "Dancing with the Stars". I wish it were me....

10. I write poetry. It is an expression of my deepest thoughts. I love to read poetry. I see so much of a person through their poetry. Huhoney has told me over and over again that poetry or writing should be my career. I have considerd my journal as my book and my life....is my poetry. (you writers and journalists out there...now don't you laugh!)....

11. I love junk food. I would rather eat junk food than a healthy meal. Right now I am eating a KIT KAT. lol and will probably polish off more licorice before the day is over!

12. After my children were in their teens, I applied to become a flight attendant for 2 major airlines. In both cases I got to the final stages of the interviews....only to have my dreams (at that time) shattered and not hired.
It broke my heart. In one incident I was at the airport in Los Angeles after the final interview and a young girl who was maybe 19 or 20 was told immediately that she was hired and what the next procedure was. I sat back and listened to her crying on the phone to someone that she didn't want the job...she didn't know what to do....and I was so angry! I wanted the job, I would have been perfect for the job. After all I am a people person and pleaser, how could she take that opening away from ME! I wanted to fly and go places and be able to take my family places. My family was even willing to be relocated to another state. But...God had other plans for me and thank goodness he knew what was best. He always does.

Well that is 12 things about me!

Oh by the way....good news...my daughter called and told me....YES she is coming after all! I am so excited to see my girls. (Now see, if I had been working for the airlines...getting them here would not be an issue!) (But then again my journey would not have placed me here at this moment in time which I would not replace for anything!) It has been 6 months already. Where has the time gone. She will be here on the 22nd of June and get to stay until Aug. 12th. I still have to come to work each day, but....they will be there when I come home. It will be so fun! Madi is now 13, (14) in Sept. Brook just turned 6 in April...Natalie is..in her 30's lololol. OH that makes me .... in my 50's! lol