Happy Got'a Buth-Day to You!

Today is my Dad's Birthday! 

No one is more proud of each and every year than my Dad!  It's definitely a man thing, cuz us gals don't usually like the Happy Got'a Buth-Day song!  That's how he sings it...  He always and intentionally changes the words to any song.  Birthday song is no exception.  He embraces everyday and  no one is a stranger to him.   My Dad is super COOL! 

He loooves the Zoo to this day.  But back in the day...he got us all kicked out.  Yup, three screaming kids and the BIG kid gets us kicked out...For harassing the Gorilla.  He mimicked everything that Gorilla did, right down to the Gorilla throwing his food at my Dad and Dad throwing it back!! 

He's a bit of a "Cryer".  We pride ourselves on making him cry even.  He's crying right now...I can feel it. 

This is when we gave him my Grampa's gun for Christmas.  He thought it had been 'sold'.  Well, it was actually...to us...for him.  C'mon Dad...wipe the tears!  :)

Here we made him think he won the Lotto.  That was Pig Pen's doing...but man was it funny! 

And here we are Twenty-One years ago!  YIKEE'S!  Don't we look alike?  Ah...the age-old question! 

In case you haven't figured it out, he has a great sense of humor too.  It keeps him happy and healthy.  He's my Tin-Man.  It's been years now, THANK GOD...he made it thru a heart attack.  That's why he's my Tin-Man.  He not only got his heart healthy, he lived to tell.  I love you, Dad!

Pig-Pen and I are going down this weekend to spend some time with him and my Step-Mom, Connie.  And we are really looking forward to it.

OK, enough of the crying...Hey!  Long & Lanky Loren...your Apricot Jam is ready!  Come N' Get It!

Y'all didn't think I wouldn't share did ya?

Here is the Apricot Jam Recipe made from Boy-Loren's tree.  All the jars sealed and it tastes pretty darn good if I do say so!

Apricot Jam Recipe

8 C Pitted, Diced Apricots

1/4 C Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

6 C Sugar

Bring to a rolling boil and stir constantly for - ugh!- 30 Minutes ...then take a shower cuz you stink!

Ladle into your hot jars and seal and let sit for no less than overnight and preferably 24 hours.  If you need more info on jarring, please see my step-by-step here.

Enter Mom...to save the day (as always) and clean up the mess!  Thanks, Mom!  I think I should hire you out!  I love cheap labor, so all you get is Jam!!!  :)

Today is also the last day to enter a chance to win my Environne Wash Give-Away! 

Hurry, Hurry!

Give Away!

OK, so here is the deal!  Because I LOVE this product and use it regularly and want to encourage others as well, I am giving away a "package deal" of Environne's new Fruit and Vegetable Wipes and a 16 oz Bottle of their Fruit and Vegetable Wash. 

If you want sparkling clean and safe these...

...Ya gotta have these!!!

I think the wipes would be great for all the Momma's out there!  It is just like a resealable pouch of baby wipes and there are 12 in the pack.   You can keep the wipes on hand and don't need to worry about all the nastiness of lurking chemicals, pesticides or waxes!  Just wipe then rinse with water and you are good to go!

Of course I use the Wash all the time at home!  Even if your garden is organic, there are still animals and their little gifts left behind that need to be washed away.  And particularly if you are buying your produce from the grocery store, you really should be using a wash.  Buying organic?  That is super cool too, but consider that on average, nearly 20 sets of hands touch your produce before it makes it to you!  Use a wash!  If you haven't checked out Environne's website, please do so.  It's what you don't know that really can hurt you.

Here are  the rules for entry:

1. Leave a comment on my blog telling me what fruit or veggie you most look forward to in the summer time = One entry
2. Become a "Follower" = One entry.  Already a follower?...Gotcha!  Make sure your contact info is complete so that I can contact you if you win though!
3. Tell others about the giveaway on your blog = One entry

Be sure to leave one comment for each of the following "rules" you complete. Be sure to also link to your blog so I can check it out and count your entry. The Environne Give Away entry will close on July 7, 2010.  On July 8, 2010, I will count the entries per person and use an online random number generator and post the winner!  I will contact you via email for delivery info and post the big winner as well!

I know you guys will love this product!  It is safe, made from all natural cleansing agents such as grapefruit seed extract, berries and coconut oil and it is Non-Toxic!!!

Mmmm....Cherries!

Yesterday I went to my Aunt's house to do some cherry pickin'!  There are lots more coming in, so I will be going back for more!  But I picked just enough to make a yummy pie!

Not only was it a gorgeous day, it's always good to visit with my Aunt and I am looking forward to seeing her again soon!  Here you can at least see her from her backside.  I will probably pay for that!

Her tree is LOADED with fabulous Montgomery Cherries...they make awesome pies!  Nice and tart...tiny though!  Here is her tree and an idea of just how tiny these guys are:

  

Cherry picking is pretty straight forward.  As with strawberries, the redder the better.  Read my post on how to prep and go if you need more info.  I always clean my fruits and veggies with Environne wash.  To pit the cherries, you can do it pretty well any way that works for you.  My Aunt just uses her hands, I use a paring knife, but you could also use a pitter.  Have your washed cherries, a bowl to collect them in and a pit bowl and towel...these guys were juicy!

My favorite cherry pie recipe is super simple and comes from one of my many Aunts!  If you try it out, I'd love to hear how it goes for you:

Cherry Pie Filling

4 C. Fresh pitted Cherries

1 1/4 C. Sugar

10 t. Corn Starch

1 T. Butter

1/4 t. real Vanilla (Optional)

Place Cherries, Sugar and Corn Starch in pan. 

Stir and let it stand for 10 minutes.

Bring to boil on Medium High.

Stir Constantly!

Lower the heat and simmer for 1 minute or until it thickens and becomes transparent.

Remove from heat.

Add butter and optional real Vanilla extract.

Pie Crust (single layer 8", double as needed)

1 C. Flour

1/2 t. Salt

1/3 C. & 1 T. Shortening

3 T. Cold Water

Combine Flour and Salt.  Cut in Shortening.

Add the Cold Water.

Get messy with your hands and mix it up.  It will be sticky, but you will survive.

Flour your work surface and rolling pin.  If you doubled the batch, pinch it in half.  Form a ball by using a light dust of flour.  Roll the dough outwards and from all directions.  With a butter knife or pastry scrapper, fold in half and then in quarter and place it in the bottom of your pan.  Lightly form it to pan and pinch or trim and reserve excess.  Place pie filling in.  Repeat the process for top crust.

 

  

Now you already know...I don't do cute!!  So you can do your own cuteness however you like!  I simply seal it up and pinch lightly with both hands, index fingers and thumbs, all the way around. 

I also like to make an egg cream wash for the top.  It makes the crust shinny and golden.  Separate and reserve the egg white and add 1/2 T. of cream or half and half.  Brush the top of the pie.  My Dad, who is in the Bakery/Deli line of work says not to brush the crust, just the top.  My Dad knows everything...

Don't forget to slit the top a few places to vent as it cooks.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if you like.  Bake in 375 degree oven till golden.  About 45 Minutes or so, and then allow pie to cool completely!  I pretty well know the pie is done just right at the point it wants to bubble out.  Might be a good idea to use an old sheet pan or foil to catch any drippings!! 

Also, if the outer crust ring starts to brown too much, use a pie shield or make your own with tin foil.

Now for a great TIP:

Have you ever failed miserably at getting that elusive first piece of pie or cake out of the pan?  It's the sacrificial piece....Well, try this: 

Make 3 slices, as if you were cutting two pieces.  Make sure you cut clear thru.  Then use your pie piece shaped 'gitter'.  Worked like a charm!

Mmmm...

Mmmm...

Mmmm...!

And don't let the excess crust go to waste!  Roll it out, sprinkle w/ Cinnamon and sugar and bake about 10 minutes or so on tin foil!  This was always our treat as kids!

  

Cleaning and Preparing Your Strawberries

So your Strawberries made it home...well most of them!  After you have eaten your fair share, you have to 'do' something with them.  First order of business:

CLEAN and PREP

• Do not wash them until you are ready to process them.
• USE your Fruit and Veggie Wash!  Check the pics on prior post if you need convincing!
• I usually put them in a sink full of cold water with my Environne Wash and swish them around as I go.
• I like to pull the green tops off at this point too.  Less little greenie's left in my finished product this way.  Just leave the greens in the sink.
• Place the 'topless' berries in the other side of sink.  They aren't bashful about being naked!
• Give them a cool rinse with clean water.
• Let Drain and Dry for a bit.

• Now you have to "hull" the berries.  This term means removing the actual stem.  You will see this multi-purpose tool alot thru the harvest season....  IT ROCKS!  Much faster than the ole paring knife and there is little to no waste!  The roughly serrated end slips right into the flesh of the berry and then you give it a 360 turn.  It also works great for cleaning out any bad spots.

Voila!  Berry cleaning complete! 

Now decide, are you making jam, pies, freezing...ugh...endless possibilities!  We are going to do a combination next!