Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Hello, again:)  I have a bit of time this morning before I have to head out to run chores for the duration of the afternoon. 

Before I get too far into the post, I just say that I am having problems posting comments on blogs, but that I have been reading them.  Lots of good quilty stuff going on out there;)  Inspiring;)  I really need to figure out how to fix, or at least work around this issue.  I don't like feeling like I might be coming across as anti-social.

So....I will work on it.

In the mean time.....

My son has started his volunteer training for the touchpool at the ABQ Aquarium.  He is having a blast.  It is amazing how enthusiastic kids can get about something when they get to choose what they want to learn about. 

As for the hubby and I, we have been volunteering at the Heritage Farm in the Botanical Gardens.


We have been helping with the apple harvesting.  Now, I know that home grown produce is way better than anything you can get at the stores.  The same holds true to these apples we are munching on while picking....YUM!!!  OMG!!  YUM!!  I didn't know apples really were supposed to be that meaty, tart, flavorful...I could go on, but you get my point.  Store apples don't have anything on these babies;)

Speaking of store bought goods....I have been keeping myself busy putting up the bounty of the season.  It has been chili roasting season here in NM for the past month now.  We have managed to acquire three 30# bags of the goodies.  They are nestled safely in our freezer for enjoyment at leisure for the rest of the year.  So far I have canned 15 jars of green chili salsa, 12 jars of strawberry jam, 10 jars of peach jam, 12 jars of peaches in honey syrup, 8 jars of peaches in rum sauce, and 4 jars of pickled jalapenos.  I have another 20 pounds of peaches ripening in brown paper bags, and plans to make some more salsa while tomatos are at a decent price. 

And thanks for all the compliments on the photos from my last post.  I have been into photography since high school.  I had fallen out of the loop when I had to sell my "real" camera to buy my mom some flowers when she was in the hospital a few years ago.  (It was worth it.)  Well, I finally got to get another camera.  I treated myself to a digital SLR and an extra lense.  It is soooo nice to have a real camera again.  Here are a couple more photos I have gotten this past week....

Catapillar in the Pollination Garden

Jelly fish at ABQ Aquarium

Bee on Thisle

I really enjoy taking what I see and getting it on paper.  I have never been good with paint, so this is my way of doing it. 

Well, I really need to get on with my day.  I have to take our truck in to get an estimate on how much it is going to cost for us to get it smog legal and then an eye exam for the boy.  Hopefully soon I will get back into some quilty stuff;)

Happy Quilting!!






8 comments:

Marsha B said...

Love your pictures, again! Looks like everyone has been busy. It is great when kids discover the joy in learning. It can lead to a career or to a lifetime of enjoying the volunteering and fun. You are right, store bought apples and most other fruits and veggies just don't have the flavor of home grown. We always bought apples at Dixon's and I will miss them. Maybe in a few years they can recover from the wild fire and floods and be back in business again. Enjoy what you are doing!

Katie said...

Heh...apples off a tree...that's a common thing here in Michigan! We're spoiled, so I probably have no idea what these crappy store apples you talk about taste like! But I'm sorry you had to taste them to begin with. It sounds like you're keeping busy with all the jams and salsas and all - can I come visit mid-winter and enjoy some? And when you get back to the quilty stuff, we'll be here to cheer you on!

Ruth said...

Wow! You have been so busy with the canning! Lucky you that you can get the produce for good prices. I used to do a little canning, but I guess I'm too busy with quilty stuff now. At least, that is my excuse.

Beth said...

You have been busy busy busy. All that canning. All that volunteering.
More fantastic photos. I would love to take photos that do not have part of my hand in the frame. LOL
Some other bloggers have noted they were having trouble making comments too. I saw a couple who said they unchecked the keep me signed in box and they were able to comment again. Might be worth a try.

---"Love" said...

Your son looks like he is having the time of his life! Good on him! All your canning is really hard work, but oh, so worth it when fall and winter gets here! I canned a lot when my family was at home and we lived on the farm. Now it's just too much trouble for just me; the boys don't really like it, can you believe? I have a neighbor who give me half-pints of her peach, pear, and mustang grape jams. So good!!! ---"Love"

canuckquilter said...

All your canning sounds wonderful. Love your photos too. I'm glad you were able to get a good camera again to enjoy photography again. And apples - nothing like the flavour of fresh and local! This is the only time of year to properly enjoy apples.

a good yarn said...

Hertiage apples are unbeatable. The store variety have usually been in cold storage for months. Great preserves - peaches in honey syrup - yum! I wish I had a DSLR again. Perhaps if I'm good Santa will bring me one. Nice photos. ann :-)

Cynthia said...

So jealous of all your canning fun! Beautiful pictures too!