Family

In my quest to make a month of shirts for Jacob, this one represents the half-way mark.

Shirt #15 (quilting cotton)

This shirt is made with gorilla fabric Jake selected years ago and I’ve kept in my stash.  In hopes of making another casual shirt, I asked him if he still likes it.  He gave a resounding “YES!” and plans to wear it to work on ‘Casual Friday’.  What fun!

To change things up, I decided instead of assembling the shirt with my vintage Kenmore (circa 1972) machine, I’d use the Singer 301a (circa 1951).  My theory is the older the machine, the nicer the straight stitch.  I wasn’t disappointed with the stitching on this shirt.  I even used its old buttonhole attachment and it worked wonderfully.  The only drawback to using this straight-stitch-only machine is there’s no way to attach buttons by machine.  I hand sewed them.

The shirt is made with the same KwikSew pattern I’ve used many times but with my own ‘sharks tail’ collar.  All seams are flat felled.  It’s another well-made shirt.

I have several choices when deciding which will be the next shirt.  I have flannel and chambray for long sleeved shirts or fabric for dress and casual shirts.  I’m currently undecided so I’ll continue hand stitching the Urban Renewal quilt top until the decision is made.  I never run short of projects!

Last week, I canned 12 more jars of sugar free hatch pepper jam.  We like it so much, we are eating it quickly and after Jacob took home a jar and tasted it, he has requested more.  Strangely, he especially likes it on pizza!  Thus far, Bob and I eat it with breakfast and on fresh baked, warm bread.  Good stuff!

Shirl

I’ve never lived in a location quite as dusty as this.  Maybe it’s because I live in a farmhouse that’s over 100 years old or maybe it’s the multitude of dirt (sand actually) roads in the area but this is the dustiest house imaginable.

Shirt #14 (gingham)

After losing sleep because of wheezing and coughing, I decided in my fight against dust, to eliminate the carpet in my bedroom.  Believe me, it’s no great loss and raw concrete floors may be ugly but they’re much easier to keep clean.  I’ve spent the week not only pulling up carpet and padding, but vacuuming the cathedral ceiling and walls, cleaning windows and sills, washing all furniture front and back before lemon oiling, washing the ceiling fan and curtains.  The room looks much cleaner and I’m wheezing less.  Now my back hurts.

Bob and I decided to take advantage of the hatch pepper harvest from New Mexico this year and purchase some for making jam.  We both love pepper jam but since I’m diabetic, I avoid eating sugar.  Up until recently, in order for jelly or jam to ‘set’, sugar was required.  Fortunately, a new pectin has been developed that sets without sugar.  Yippee!

Bob bought enough hatch peppers for a double batch.  He also purchased jalapeño peppers for added flavor and some kick.  It smelled wonderful as it cooked and we were pleased how it tasted before canning.

I was able to put up 8 jelly jars of jam.  That same evening, for dinner I made omelets and we cracked open the first jar of hatch pepper jam to spread on fresh baked bread.  Oh my stars!!!  It’s delicious!  Although I added 8 jalapeño peppers to the mix, it’s not hot.  It’s wonderfully sweet and peppery!

Bob has purchased an even bigger bunch of peppers for another batch of jam which will include enough to share with family.  If I don’t get a chance this weekend, I’ll make jam on Monday.

I was able to do a little sewing between canning and cleaning.  I’ve made another gingham shirt for Jacob.  This time it’s forest green gingham with a bias pocket and outside back yoke.  The collar is a cut back style with rounded tips and white backside.  The collar band is also white inside and out.  It has antique mother-of-pearl buttons and a tuck-in tail.

Jacob is on his way here for a weekend visit.  I’m looking forward to seeing him, feeding him well and giving him new shirts.

Happy weekend!

Shirl

New roof – almost done

What happened to my peaceful, quiet, predictable life?

Roofers arrived a week ago and continue to bang, pound, yell, cuss, etc. starting VERY early each morning.  No matter how hard I try, I can’t sleep through it and since I do my best sleeping in the morning, I’m walking around sleep deprived and emotionally spent.  If things go according to plan, the job SHOULD be done today.  I certainly hope so!

Since tomato canning has ended, I’ve spent time this week thinking about pressure canning.  With thoughts of making meal preparation easier, I’m planning to can ingredients to include in my own recipes and new ones.  I love this adventure and the ease of taking a jar of fresh food (without chemicals or additives), heating it and eating!  Nothing commercially canned comes close to the flavor of home canned foods.

Shirt #12 (gingham seersucker)

This week, I prepared Mexican Charro Beans (using 2 lbs. of dry pintos) and pressure canned 7 quart jars.  I only had to partially cook them before putting into jars and pressure canning.  They smelled terrific during the process and we plan to try a jar this weekend.  I made up the recipe so I hope it’s good.

Next, I plan to can some flavored boneless chicken.  It will be so handy to use for making enchiladas, tacos, chicken spaghetti, chicken salad, etc. and will drastically cut meal prep time.

I only did a little sewing this week and made this black and white baby gingham seersucker (phew!) shirt for Jacob.  It has a shark collar and the inner yoke, collar stand (inside and out) and backside of collar are made of batik from my stash.  The pocket and outside yoke are cut on the bias for interest.  Though it’s near impossible to photograph, it turned out nice and should offer him years of wear.

For the next sewing project, I’ve begun developing and altering a pattern for a casual shirt with a very different (not so classic) construction.  If I don’t give up, it should be ready for a first fitting soon.  Fingers are crossed.

We’re enjoying a visit from Jacob this weekend so there’s joking, laughing and good eating all around.  Here’s hoping your weekend is equally as joyous.

Shirl

UPDATE:  I opened a jar of Charro Beans to serve with our BBQ pork rib dinner.  OH MY STARS!!!  I’ve eaten Charro Beans at darned near every Mexican restaurant I’ve ever visited, and (not to pat myself on the back) these are the best I’ve EVER tasted.  Both Bob and Jake loved them and want me to can lots more.