Coming up for Air

A dear friend once said something along the lines of 'we home schooled and home schooled all morning and when I came up for air I saw it was time for lunch.'

That was exactly how our first day of home schooling felt yesterday.  Lizzi was such an excited participant that she was ready to start at 7:40am!  Thankfully she was gracious enough to allow me to finish my breakfast and start a load of laundry first.  Then it was off to the races for us.  Both Lizzi and Wesley were thrilled to sing songs, read books, and conduct rudimentary science experiments.  I found such delight in watching them discover some of air's properties in those experiments.

We were all having such a marvelous time that we had to rush out the door before finishing our math games.  After walking Lizzi to our local elementary school for PE/Music/Lunch/Recess we walked home and started Wesley's school.  He is so eager to be like his big sisters and 'do school'.  I discovered that he is quite gifted at puzzles just like Lizzi (Abi and I don't share that gift with those two, that is for certain!), knows most of his colors, and some of his shapes.  He loved watching the videos on the letter A that the Easy Peasy Homeschool Website has listed.  By the way, that is a free website so if you are wanting or needing some educational material check it out!  We made lunch together, went and got Lizzi then came back home to finish our reading and math.

The afternoon was a flurry of housework and putting up more vegetables.  By evening time I was worn out and probably could have gone to bed right alongside the children.  However, there was still breakfast to prep and the double checking of lessons for today.  Once I finished that work I debated the value of self care vs sleep for my weary body.  I opted for a small portion of self care with an early bedtime.  I read through one of the cookbooks I brought home from my grandma's collection and really enjoyed reading some recipes from days gone by.  If you want a lesson from some old fashioned cooking check out Suet Pudding.  If only I was half as clever and resourceful as my relatives.  With a smile on my face I put myself to bed ready for another day of 'coming up for air.'

First Solo Canning

I have wanted to can for a few years now, but the thought of it has terrified me.  Last summer I got to can grape jelly with Phil's grandma in her kitchen.  This summer I made pickled beets with his Mom in my own kitchen.  It made more sense after having gone through the process twice.  I was especially appreciative of Rose's willingness to work on the project in my kitchen.  There is something to be said about learning how a detailed process goes in ones own workspace.  

Today I got the nerve up to try canning on all on my own.

 A lovely friend had given me a large amount of zucchini from her garden.  I didn't want to use up freezer space, plus I really wanted to try canning as it's a needed skill.  In my world at least!  The internet proved to be quite the ally in finding some unique ways to use zucchini.  This one for relish really caught my eye and I couldn't get it out of my head.  I told Rose about it and she graciously gave a few peppers from her garden (as mine are just finally starting to produce!)  and well wished me on my way.

Zealous, I started out shredding all the zucchini, onions, and peppers (thank heavens for my food processor).  I knew that the vegetables needed to soak overnight, but when morning came I lost my nerve and chickened out.  Finally four days later I told myself if you don't do it today all that food and hard work is going to go to waste.  I took a deep breath, set up the kitchen and went about canning my relish.

I am so proud of myself!  Everything went smoothly, no burns, no broken glass, no wasted food.  The jars all sealed properly and I even had enough extra to have with my lunch.  It is super yummy.  My friend the self proclaimed pickle hater said it 'wasn't bad, and definitely better than pickle relish'.

 If you have an excess of zucchini laying around I highly recommend trying out this recipe, it's great.   I loved how you could tasted all the individual flavors and yet they all blended so well in my mouth.  I think it's going to be a winner on our sandwiches tonight!

The Zuchinni Relish Recipe  http://www.food.com/recipe/zucchini-relish-236998

Four jars of Zuccini Relish

See that awesome vintage pepsi bottle in the back left corner?   That's a little gift from my sweetie who knows my love of old glass.

The next vegetable up to bat are the cucumbers that were given.  Pickles here I come!