Bottled Chicken

I should be in bed already, but alas....I am not.  Tomorrow I will be bottling about 60 lbs. of chicken.  I'm wondering how many days it will really take to do it.  I think I can get 18 pints in my pressure cooker at one time, but when I get it all done it will last me at least two years so it is way worth the effort to take it on.  A few weeks ago I put up some more butter and it was well worth the time I put into it.

This is kind of random, but I really love Imagination Station Chalkboard vinyl.  When I redid our pantry I used the vinyl on my containers and shelving.  It looks so nice and organized now.  I think I want to put some on my door between the kitchen and laundry room.  I'm still thinking on it.  I will also be using the vinyl on top of my spice bottles that I am going to put together and the jars will neatly fit into a drawer.  The jars will make it so much easier to find the spices instead of looking through 3 boxes of spices.  I have know idea why I have so many spices.

Larry went to Colorado this morning and will be home tomorrow.  I talked to him this evening and things are going very well.  He has learned a lot about the company he is working with and has met many people that he speaks on the phone with.  He says it is nice to come face to face with these people. It will really help with relationships and working with each other.

Canning Butter

I thought I put this on our blog before, but I can't find it.  This is a great family home evening project.

Heat pint jars (without bands) in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes.  (A dripper pan works well for this.)  One pound of butter slightly more than fills one pint jar, so if you melt 11 pounds of butter, heat 12 pint jars.  While the jars are heating, melt the butter slowly (in a large kettle) until it comes to a slow boil.  Using a large spatula, stir the bottom of the pot often to prevent scorching.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Place the jar lids in a small pot and bring to a boil, leaving to simmer until needed.

Stirring the melted butter from the bottom to the top with a ladle or measuring cup with spout and handle, pour the melted butter carefully into heated jars through a canning jar funnel.  Leave a 3/4" of head space in the jar.

Wipe the tops of jars, then place on hot lids and screw on the bands tightly.  Lids will seal as the jars cool.  The butter will separate into three layers: foam, oil and milk solids.  Once the lids "pop" and seal, shake the jars to mix your butter.  Do this every 15 minutes or so, until the butter retains more consistency throughout the jar.  (This may take up to an hour or longer.)  When just slightly warm, move jars to the refrigerator.  Check and shake every 10 minutes until they are hardened in the jar.  Then leave them in the refrigerator for an hour.

Canned butter should store for 3 years or longer on a cool dark shelf.  It could replace the butter-flavor shortening requirement on the basic food storage amounts list, or simply included as a topping or flavoring.
Note:  It does not need to be refrigerated once opened, if used within a reasonable amount of time.

Lacey

My cute little Lacey girl.

Izzie playing at the Highland water park.  She just dove right into the fun.

South Carolina, Ocean fun.

Izzie and Lacey

Lacey is checking Izzie's oil.  Don't think Izzie appreciates it.

(Modesty flower added by grandma)

Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

I thought that this was a very interesting website.  Some things I had never thought of, but am glad I looked at this site.

http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/100-itemsnational-emergency/

When you get a few minutes, check it out.

Love, Mom

Jade's letter to Grandpa Bond Jan. 31, 2012

It says:
Dear Grandpa I hope you are not to lony.  You can alyis askke for us to come over to your howes incase you need us.  Wed love to come to over.  Love Jade

(Dear Grandpa, I hop you are not to lonely.  You can always ask for us to come over to your house in case you need us.  We'd love to come over.  Love, Jade. (the picture is of Oreo and he is barking.))  Jade put lots of cute hearts on her letter to Grandpa.

I think it is so sweet that she thought of him and wrote this cute letter.  Love you Jade, thanks for thinking of Grandpa Bond.  He is a special man.

Pinterest Info and Orange Chicken Recipe

This link will teach you how to use Pinterest  http://thehappyhousewife.com/real-life/  Learn so much from Pinterest and got a couple of great asian recipes from there.

http://blogchef.net/orange-chicken-recipe/   This is where I got the Orange Chicken Recipe I made and took up to Brandon and Elysha.  It is so yummy that I made it again last night.  I got it from Pinterest.

Love you guys.

Sorry!

Sorry I posted so many videos at once, but I wanted Brad to be able to see what went on for Christmas.  There are ones of the Christmas party also, so you might need to go back a few pages.  Reacher cracks me up when he was arguing with me and Izzy was doing some cute stuff.  The kids enjoyed Christmas and I wanted to share all the fun videos that I got to enjoy, with all of you.

Love you all very much and wish you all a Happy Upcoming New Year.

Love, Mom