Trying My Hand At Canning

When we were up at PIB this past week, hanging with our neighbors, they served us some delicious appetizers (peach salsa and cowboy candy). Asking her about them, she revealed that she's an avid canner and I thought, Hmm...that sounds like something I'd like to try! So, yesterday I did a little research and decided I'm going to do it! First I went on Amazon and purchased the needed items (a canner pot, the tools as well as jars). Then I went on Pinterest and found some recipes to start. Here are the items I'm looking to make first: 

• Peach/jalapeno salsa
• Tomato salsa
• Cowboy candy 
• Hot pepper jelly 

I also want to try my hand at green beans but I want to see how things go first before I go further. I'm pretty excited! I should get my needed materials tomorrow and I'll do some planning and shopping and then with the weather looking shit for much of next week, I may start with the peach/jalapeno salsa on Monday. If it's any good, maybe I'll share! 

Jim's finally scheduled for his colonoscopy. It'll happen August 6th, which is a Friday. He'll has to be on a liquid diet the day before but he shouldn't suffer too terribly much since his procedure is scheduled for 7:00 AM. He needs to call the surgeon's office to let them know it's been scheduled and they will then schedule his surgery. 

Speaking of Jim, when he went in yesterday for his consult, he weighed 216! Ugh! He's lost 8 pounds in less than 2 weeks. This bums me out and I told him he needed to start taking better care and eat better. I know the meds are messing with his appetite and he can't help it but losing that much weight in such a short amount of time...his skin just hangs off him. 

I was looking at FB last night before bed and saw that one of our junior high teachers died suddenly. She was young...probably a little older than me but not much. Apparently she had a brain aneurism that ruptured and left her brain dead. So sad. 

Plans today: I'm going to walk the boys here in a minute and then go down to the trail and take a bike ride. I thought the day was going to be rainy but it isn't and the temps are pleasant so why not? I'll try and mow the back yard too. Other than that, I've got nothing planned. Maybe I'll lay out! 

Jim's back on regular shift so we'll get to have dinner together tonight. He didn't get home until about 2:00 last night so he's still sleeping (it's 7:50) poor guy. 

Eva leaves tomorrow for Delaware with her friend for a week. Happy for her to have a great time but worried about how she and Maggie will deal without each other...they've never been apart for that long. 

And I guess I'd best get a move on. Happy Friday! It's going to be a rainy weekend here so stay dry. Later!