My World

Been a busy day here at the home on the mountain. I’m not one to sit still for long and always need a current protect or two. Well, today I managed several. First chore right out of bed this morning was harvesting the morning crop of figs. Once I got inside and cleaned the full bucket I took a quick splash bath to remove any tree sap that I may have collected while among the fig leaves.

I miss the days when I wasn’t allergic to the sap but that doesn’t keep me from harvesting what we consider the king of fruits which is actually amusing since a fig is NOT a fruit. Did you know that little fact? I didn’t for years until my incessant need for knowledge pushed me to research what exactly figs were in the biology world. WOW was I surprised! It is actually an Inflorescence. That sent me down a trail of learning the facts about the Fig and it’s own personal wasp. Didn’t change my love for the food at all. But it did help me understand why some figs shriveled up and fall off without ripening. It also makes me glad we live in a rural area that is not as heavily pest sprayed as some areas.

Back to my busy day…… I started two large pots of figs, sugar and water boiling so they could start their two hour simmering while I prepared breakfast of our favorite salmon bagels and fresh French pressed coffee. Two hours of slow simmer allowed me the time to snap a batch of fresh local green beans I planned to blanch and bag for the freezer after breakfast. But I had to wait till all the preserves were cooked for room on the stove top to blanch.

I actually managed to carve out time for a shower so I could get my hair washed before church service tomorrow during the first hour of the second round of preserves simmering. I’m a master ninja at shoving as much as possible into a time span to get things done. It was important to utilize the FIRST hour because the figs have a tendency to bubble up and over during the last hour if not watched closely.

When the last batch of preserves were in the water bath, I had the green beans coming to a boil. Of course I’m washing and putting away pots, utensils and canning tools during this time. Got the beans bagged just as the water bath was complete.

15 more pints of preserves and 3 pints of fig syrup, 4 quarts of green beans later and it is 3:45pm. I’ve been at this since 9 am.

The yarn for my next project I ordered came in yesterday and I thought I would have to wait till Tuesday of next week when the shop opened to go get it. BUT, it was only 3:45pm and they close at 5pm on Saturdays so I grabbed my keys and drove the 15 miles to beat the clock! I’m so very excited to have managed to get there in time and will be able to start this throw this weekend. It is a special gift for a cousin that loves handmade items. I know she will cherish it for years.

I was home by 5:30pm and had dinner on the table by 6pm. Porkchops with homemade ❤️ healthy spicy apple barbecue sauce from my brother were on the grill while I threw together a fresh garden salad with sunflower seeds, added whole grain crackers, fresh sweet cantaloupe and homemade shortbread cookies for a fabulously delicious meal.

Currently it is 8pm and I’m on the couch, sipping fresh brewed peppermint tea with book at ready to read. Busy, productive really does feel so very good!