Hello all. Hope you are all well. It turned into a pretty morning here. I woke to the end of a little rain and a little haze this morning. We had a nice little rain yesterday afternoon as well, and the plants all got a drink. The skies were grumbling, but we got nothing bad here. One of these days, I may be able to get out and mow! Hoping for tomorrow - it looks to be the best day for a bit. Too hot, too dewy and wet, too humid, it is always something. Not taking any chances. I know it is very hot many places, so please take care and stay in and stay hydrated.
I want to say I watched a show this week on Discovery on the 2024 hurricane of Helene and the Appalachia area. It was films taken by survivors and all their personal videos. It was so sad to watch. I cried, and I found myself holding my breath most of the show. I cannot imagine. People filming their homes being hit by waves of water and huge debris, watching their neighbors homes being washed away. One family filmed a neighbor be washed away in the water (an older lady), and their husband/dad jumped in to save her. Both survived somehow. Landslides happening right in front of people. I know many places are still not even close to being back, almost a year later. Such an unusual event for that area. I mean who had heard of a hurricane hitting the mountains? Just so much sadness.
It is now hurricane season again, and I pray for everyone out there, that no one has to go through any bad storms. I know many of you from Florida and up the east coast have gone through these horrific storms (some many times). I am so sorry for that.
There is so much flooding around right now, and fires, it is heart wrenching.
I have a QUESTION for you all. What do I use fig jam for? I have a jar I received as a gift, and not sure how to use it. I am not a big fig eater, except Fig Newtons as a child! Not sure what to do with it - I sure don't want to waste it. Give me your best ideas! Maybe a holiday thing I can make? Thanks
I picked several tomatoes yesterday!!! They aren't totally ripe - but I am not taking any chance of critters eating them. I am so happy they are finally ripening.
I mentioned a week or so ago about the groundhog showing back up for a couple days. I was really worried about the garden, and it was eating a lot of my flowers. So I came in one morning (while he was here), and got my jug of ammonia. It was under the deck/shed - so I started in front of the deck and poured going to the front of shed. As I walked to the side of the shed - I met him head on! He just stopped about a foot from me and froze. I guess he thought I was a BIG predator!! They usually don't get close to a person and always hide. I stepped back and off he went too and I haven't seen it since. The ammonia works!!!!! My brother has had a problem with them for years and he tried ammonia this year (after my advice) and finally got rid of his as well. Just an inexpensive tip if you have them. They don't like the smell at all. (other animals - cats, squirrels weren't bothered). They leave, I am happy, and nothing harmed.
OK, enough rambling for the today. Any ideas for the jam would be appreciated!
Hope you all have a safe and lovely day.
Be a blessing to someone!!!!!
Just last night I watched a documentary on hurricane Ian that hit Ft. Myers where we used to live. I cried through the entire thing seeing the damage and devastation. Luckily all of our friends were safe but did have a lot of property damage.
ReplyDeleteFig jam is good with salty things like ham or bacon and many soft cheeses. Try it with some cream cheese on a cracker to see how it tastes to you and what you may want to come up with. I'm thinking some kind of holiday appetizer.
Forgot to mention, great job on the quilt!! It looks awesome.
DeleteIt is so incredible to see what so many lived through. I know many didn't, and that is just so very sad. I sure hope I never have to live through something so horrible.
DeleteHmmm - those things sound good and all things I like. An appetizer would be great for family get togethers.
Thanks!
Hurricane damage can show up many months after the hurricane has passed. Just because one cannot see the damage doesn't mean there was none. I'm only now learning this. :(
ReplyDeleteMaryB
It is just amazing how powerful nature can be. There has to be so much attributed to these storms, that no one even thought of.
DeleteI always think "Crumble" for small quantities of fruit/fresh jam. https://www.monpetitfour.com/fig-crumble-bars/#mv-creation-149-jtr
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI just went and looked at that and saved it - it sounds wonderful!
DeleteWatching the video of the folks being hit by that storm had to be heart wrenching. I cannot imagine what it would take to recover from such devastation. We watch YouTube videos of storms all over the world and it is horrific.
ReplyDeleteLove all things fig! We are waiting for our figs to ripen. So far as the jam is concerned, I have eaten it on toast. Alana has used figs with prosciutto, but we don't eat pork.
We got a little rain last night and some rumbling. Still hawt!
It is just overwhelming to see - can't imagine actually being there.
DeleteI have to give it a try - I may actually find it a fav!
Glad you got a little rain as well.
I want to see this documentary, but I know I would cry, too! One of my best friends lived in Asheville at the time and it was so hard for her. I worried for her constantly!
ReplyDeleteI love your t-shirt blankets! I have saved my dad's shirts to have one made and also my son's high school shirts to have him one made, but I haven't figured out who to get to do it. When you start taking orders, let me know! Haha!
It was a Discovery Channel thing. Eye of the Storm, S2 E4 - Helene's Appalachian Hellscape. They have a whole series of storm related shows from all kinds of storms. It was terrifying thinking about being in something like that.
DeleteThank you - they are fun and really not hard to make. I really want to make myself a blanket one day with many of Glen's shirts I have kept.
Don't hold your breath - LOL. I doubt I ever take orders!! Hopefully you will find someone with a sewing machine and just basic knowledge of sewing - that is all it takes.
The fig jam is good over cream cheese with crackers. Very tasty.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have a couple ways to try it now and I am happy. It is a nice size jar, so I can do a couple things. I am excited.
DeleteAwww how sweet that your great great nephew said he has the best blanket in the house, I'm sure that just warmed your heart.
ReplyDeleteThe fig jam can flavor cottage cheese or plain yogurt or smear some cream cheese on a cracker and top with the fig jam. Yum!
I'm going to have to get some ammonia and see if I can get rid of that rascally raccoon! Thanks for the tip.
The flooding in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene last year was heart wrenching! Chattanooga is in the news this morning with flash flooding yesterday after 6 inches of rain fell in a few hours. We got the rain, but none of the flooding, thank the good Lord.
I have that little video too - just so sweet. Yep, it touched my heart.
DeleteNo cottage cheese here, but the other things are good.
I don't know if it would work on racoons - although I haven't seen one for a while. The groundhogs don't like it, because it is smells of urine of predicators (I hear). It sure is worth trying though, as ammonia is cheaper than other things.
Yes mam, so heart breaking. Just watching those videos and hearing those poor people crying and hearing the fear was so sad. Glad you got no flooding.
Glad you were able to get rid of the critter so easily.
ReplyDeleteOur tomatoes are growing but still green. Hopefully in a couple of weeks or so we'll see some ripe ones. I'm looking forward to it.
The only time I can recall having fig jam, it was on a cruise ship and part of a specific meal...which I can't remember. I do think I enjoyed it. :)
Thanks. Yeah, mine have just started turning - so hopefully yours will too soon. They taste so good.
DeleteThanks - I hope I will love it!
I saw a fancy restaurant use fancy bread with a fancy soft cheese and fig jam on it. My momma had a fig tree and ai would eat it with biscuits. There is also a recipe on The Prudent Homemaker website ( Brandy Simper from Las Vegas) where she uses figs to baste her ham and maybe turkey. I would think a toasted bagel or maybe even untoasted with Gruyère cheese, goat cheese or cream cheese would be good!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Mmmmm biscuits - there is a thought! Cream cheese seems to be a good idea - lots have suggested it.
DeleteThat blanket looks wonderful, and the response was wonderful, more than justifying your hard work. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI would say any recipe you have that uses jam you would be able to use your fig jam. It often is too seedy for many people. I would probably use it in an apple crumble if you didn’t like its stand alone taste.
Just going back to last week, Linda did love your bit on old ways being green. She progressed from nods, to smiles, to outright snorts, as I read further and she agreed 100%.
Take care, Louise
Thank you. His sentiments did my heart good! I sure love all those kiddos.
DeleteYou are probably correct. I guess I just need to taste it and see what I think.
Oh good. I wondered if she thought that was cute. Glad it gave her a laugh for the day!!!!!
I know how you feel being up and down on the floor while making a quilt. However hearing what your great nephew said would make it all worth while.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.