Blessed New Moon weekend my friends….This was a busy week of firsts for me and my girls. I have always wanted to try my hand at canning. A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a canning kit and on tuesday my daughters and I put it to good use. We made the most delicious, prettiest red strawberry jam ever! We met up at my daughter Kate’s house, had pizza for lunch then when my grandaughter Lily went down for a nap, we got busy. I had bought 4 packages of huge, red, juicy organic strawberries. We go the water bath boiling to sterilize the jars, cut the tops off the strawberries and cut them in half. Popped them in a food processer and processed them to little bits. Into a pot on the stove with pectin, boil for a bit. Ad 7 cups! of sugar, and bring to a boil some more. That was it! Easy peasy. We filled the jars, place the lids on, and back into the water bath they went to boil for 10 minutes. All done! The jam set up quickly as soon as it cooled.
Of course I then had to make a loaf of homemade bread to go with it! Yummy! We had so much fun doing this we are going to make it a habit. Apple Butter, tomatoes, bread and butter pickles, peach jam, apple pie filling..are all on the list of things we want to can! If you haven’t tried canning, go ahead and try. I thought it seemed overwhelming a bit..mostly worrying about the jars breaking or something..but it was easy…really!
This week I also attended my first meeting with a volunteer group of ladies who knit/crochet blankets for a program called ‘Blankets of Love”. These blankets are donated to every single patient who come into our local Hospice. This is a very special program. Many times, this blanket is the last gift these patients ever receive. The women, a group of maybe 25, most over the age of 60 have made over 5000 blankets just since 2008. They pretty much use their own money or sometimes some donated money and yarn, to make these blankets. Each one is made with love and with thought for the person who will be laying under it one day. This has become a charity very close to my heart. My sister was the first to go, about a month ago, and she has already made 5-6 blankets too. I am not a fast crocheter or knitter, but I’m going to do what I can to help. I have friends already donating their unused yarn which is wonderful! Check in your area and see if there is such a charity or a need, or start it yourself. It will be very awarding!
The New Moon is tonight or tomorrow night depending on where you live. Remember that this is a great time to start a new project, to improve something in your life, for new direction or change, and to consecrate your tools. The Goddess is waiting to help you with your new endeavor!
Bright New Moon Blessings, Autumn
My Moonlit Path..... 