Jamaican Banana-Pineapple Mango Rum Jam



five 4 ounce jars of jam

I just decided it was time to make Jamaican Banana Jam. Then, I read a comment on the site where I got the recipe. Someone had added pineapple. I didn't follow the recipe, and I lost the notes where I recorded my changes! I did not add as much sugar, and used part of a package of powdered. no sugar needed, Sure-Jell premium fruit pectin--pink box.

For this recipe, I specifically bought Mango Rum, a miniature. I used part of it and only had half left. I added the rest of the bottle, about two Tablespoons or less. The first half was added to something earlier. I don't drink, so a miniature lasts a long time.

 

bananas for jam

The bananas were very ripe. I mixed this up the jam  mixture and it sat four days in the refrigerator before I made jam. Every day, I would sample a little in a bowl. Otherwise, I would have had more jam.

stored waaay up high

The jars are stored in the laundry room over the dryer. Actually, if I stand facing the dryer, the view I see above place the cabinet to the left of me and not exactly over the dryer, just a bit of the side of the side of the dryer. When I was younger, I would stand in front of the dryer, put one hand on the dryer top,  and just jump up to sit on the dryer. Lately, I get exbf to spot for me as I stand on a stool and struggle to get on the dryer, pushing my fat behind up and onto the dryer and usually making myself hurt. Tonight, I was brave and got on the stool and then the dryer without someone spotting in case I tipped off or dropped something on my noggin. I survived.

These are the only canning jars stored in the laundry room. The packages are small, so it seems this is a good place to stuff them one at a time. I really don't think it is a good idea for me to try to get a box of 12 quarts over my head and into the shelf as I balance on the dryer.

The jam was based off this recipe. It was on Little House in the Big Woods, penned by Wendy. Her boys said it was too sweet, but I believe this jam would make a good filling or could be used over ice cream. A little does go a long way.

When I took the jars from the pot, I was rewarded with two pings of lids before I could get all five on the counter. There is leftover jam, a tad short of 4 oz. so when it cools or maybe tomorrow, I will taste test the finished product.

Taste test: I did open one jar today and test it for firmness and taste. It is great! Now, if I can just figure out what I did with the recipe I used, not the one on the internet, just based off the internet recipe.

Your turn
Have you ever made banana jam? Or, banana-pineapple jam? Does it sound delicious to you?

Faceoff: Fun with Chickens

hens are standing absolutely still

 

Hens provide lots of good, clean, cheap fun. I was cutting turnips from the bed at the right, the pink one, was uncovered. Since I had to go inside for my camera and did not want the hens playing in my turnips, I asked exbf to stay close and guard the bed as he worked. He decided to sit. When I came out, the hens were motionless as was he. He said they ran over and just stopped. He thought they wanted the turnips.

 

See the yellow rake on the far right? They are terrified of the yellow rake. One day, I was walking along, dragging the rake as I walked. I overcame the original four hens I had as they walked ahead of me and to the left. As the yellow rake came past them, the head of the rake swished past just behind them. Other than the Devil Dog and raccoon encounters, I have never seen them so frightened. Now, Thelma, one of the original four, has taught Lucy to be afraid of the yellow-handled rake.

 

I use a pink-painted broom handle to herd them. They will not come near it and go where I guide them.

 

Chickens are funny and afraid of everything. But, consider this: maybe one of these stiff, colored objects will fall to the ground and writhe toward them. They were afraid of long strings of banana peels when they were less than a week old. Chickens don't like snakes at all! So, any long thing must be dangerous. Makes sense to me.

 

Chickens are a money saver, a promoter of parsimony. You see, I could be spending money for entertainment. I don't because I have resident chickens for amusement. Some of these encounters with chickens are quite the philosophical exercise. I stand in no danger of becoming a cat lady. I will be the chicken lady, minus a house full of chickens.

 

This picture was taken about two months ago when the St. Augustine grass was still crunchy.

 

Your turn

Do you enjoy watching chickens as much as I? What do your chickens fear?

Green Plastic Knife

Why would I buy this?

It is cheap--$1.50--and very useful. It is green plastic. I had a shorter one, a curved one from Tupperware. No, I did not pay for the Tupperware knife. This one is 12.5 inches long. Plastic utensils are not my idea of a useful object, normally.

 

Have you guessed yet?

 

I am not a fan of smashing a head of lettuce to remove the core. Using a metal knife on lettuce causes it to turn brown. My little green Tupperware knife from the late 60s or early 70s was so handy to use on all lettuces and cabbage and any other produce that turned brown with  metal knife contact. This knife won't work to keep apples from turning brown! So, my new, cheap, Old El Paso knife for $1.50 works for me.

 



                                                   The lettuce knife above, not mine, but one like it

                                                                       about 8 inches long

 

But, you prefer the look of torn lettuce? I only stand for so long before I hurt, so cutting lettuce will work for me until I have a couple of surgeries. Or, maybe forever. Besides, some days I only cored the lettuce for ease of washing and tearing.

 

In a pinch, use a plastic knife, the disposable utensil kind if you have one.

 

Your turn

Did you ever have one of the Tupperware lettuce knives on lettuce? Or, one of the Old El Paso ones? Or any plastic knife?

 

 



The Bane of My Existence

Privet

Right now, I am suffering! This privet causes half the people I know much misery, pain, and cost. I have spent countless hours with itchy eyes, so horrid I could not see. I have spent too much money trying to defeat the symptoms which are disabling. My eyes, sinuses, nostrils (itching), and breathing is affected. In the last few years I have managed to destroy and beat back this problem in the some parts of the yard. I still battle baby privets. This may be the last year I put up with this beauty. Pollen from the privet causes asthma and eczema. I have symptoms of both! 

 

Two years ago, I sat in a chair and bent over to pull baby privets. I pulled one hundred 3" babies in an area that was about 18" x 18"! That must be redone week after week. Of course, I don't. Mowing only delays the problem and makes the roots deeper and stronger.

 

The hens love to stay under the tips that are bending toward the ground. So, I am a sucker for what they like. Plus, eight cardinals love the bush. Maybe it is the berries they like?

 



 

shady area

 

The privet originates far to the left of this picture above. As the branches reach the hickory tree, they bend. I like the area it forms underneath. It makes me too miserable to sit there even though others do sit in the chairs. Actually, even an open window exposes me to the pollen.

 

You can learn more about privet. 

 

Pretty and more pleasant

self seeded or regrew

Wave Petunias

 

Early in the spring, I noticed green in this hanging basket. It had such a thick stem that it appeared the plant was re growing after the winter. I knew the Wave Petunia would reseed. Last year, I bought some distressed Wave Petunias and they flourished after a little care. Now, I have another stressed petunia that I will plant here with the leftover ones you see here. It appears on each of the pink and white made it through the winter and the other reseeded.

 

I am sure I could have a better picture, but I was standing on a pile of rocks.

 

Your turn

Does anyone have these privets in your yard? Are you allergic? Do your or your children have asthma, problems with lungs, or eczema? Do you suspect your problems are caused or exacerbated by this invasive pest?

A Bachelor's Soup Recipe

This is a very frugal recipe, a recipe exbf told me he made. He was very proud of himself. I was openly laughing at it, asking how he could eat such. But, it was all free food to him from me, so he was willing to eat it. He said it actually was good. He loves eating here and taking home a quart of my homemade soup. I am not recommending this. Well, if you cannot cook at all. . . .

Recipe:
1/3 can mixed vegetable
1/3 can tomato soup
1/3 jar salsa
several sausage patties pulled apart

Heat in a pot.
..................................

One day, I asked him what he had ever cooked. His answer: hamburger patties for a hamburger, microwaved frozen vegetables and chicken slices, boiled hot dogs rarely ever, heated cans of soup or stew. He can eat prepared, microwaved food.

He is almost 60, never married. No one ever taught him to cook, and he said he was too lazy to clean up all that cooking entailed. He cannot even cook an egg in any form because he hates eggs.

I know you all know men who can cook well or barely passing. I really don't call this even passable. He knows I am writing this, so this is not a backstabbing attack.  I asked him if I could write this.

His cooking method reminds me of Hemingway's Nick in Big Two-Hearted River, Part I. Nick made a campfire and poured a can of spaghetti and a can of pork and beans into a pot for his dinner. When I read this description, I felt revolted.

 Your turn
Do you know anyone who "cooks" like this?  Do you or did you ever? Do you have a favorite combination of cans you prepare. Tell me a story.

Hens' Dinner Tonight--Free

like a pancake/cookie that is baked in the oven

 

1/3 will be dinner for two hens tonight

 

 

I took eggs that were about to be old and some free cornmeal, mixed it, sprinkled crushed eggs on top, and baked it on parchment paper on a broiler pan. It was like a huge cookie or pancake. I measured nothing since the consistency did not matter. I did put about a tsp of salt since chickens need salt and salty is delicious to their palates.

I wished I had taken a video of the hens attacking their dinner.

Update: He came here today, May 16, and is disappointed no one else commented. I am not talking bad about him. He is proud of his creations and knows how I laugh at them. He is the type man that makes you want to cook for him.

Your turn.
Do you feed your hens free food? What food not bought do you feed your hens? Do you grown crops especially for your hens?  I count feeding stuff you grow as free food.

How Do You Know? Update

turnip greens\totally irrelevant to this post

For the last twenty-five or more years, I have complained about severe pain in my upper left side above my waist and below my ribs. Sometimes the pain is behind my ribs, sometimes running along just below my ribs. Often, the pain is in my kidney area.  Sometimes, the pain is at my waist or below. Often, the pain runs from my ovary to behind my ribs around to my kidney area.

I go to the doctor, complain, and nothing can be found with tests. Once, the urologist said, "Stand up, turn around, and show me where you think your kidney is located." He agree that I knew where my kidney is. Yes, sometimes I hurt in the area of my right kidney. Oh, I do have a huge kidney stone in the calyx. It has been there for 20 years.

Actually, I have intermittent, severe pain from my right ovary to underneath my ribs to my right kidney. Rarely does it all hurt at once. There is a hard place below my ribs in front that is the area of my liver. At night, often I cannot lie on my right side because of the discomfort from lying on what feels like a rock.

I can eat something with a low fat content and I am nauseous and faint. However, that only happens occasionally.  Or, it happens three days in a row. Or, it lasts one day.

I slowly drank a glass of milk and five minutes later I felt like I was being stabbed. I let out a cry and then whimpered a little and it was all over!

When I give these answers to doctors, I sometimes feel I am looked upon as a hypochondriac. I can see it on their faces, read it in their body language, and hear it in their voices. When I kept pushing for treatment and tests for thyroid problems, I was vindicated. I had half my thyroid out and a nodule that would eventually have become cancerous. Seeee? I am not nutso. I could feel it! And, I am on medication to prevent any thyroid function. By the way, blood tests showed my thyroid was functioning. Tests showed a thyroid that had a little nodule/growth behind it. NOOOO! It was a sphere about 1" in diameter. Yes, a sphere, a ball shape, not a flat hockey puck shape.

My husband, now ex-, threw up occasionally (1980) and had it diagnosed as gall bladder disease. The throwing up became more frequent until he just quit eating and screamed lots. He lost thirty pounds and finally was screaming, begging the doctor to operate at midnight when I had to rush him to the ER. As an adult, my daughter was finally diagnosed after lying in the hospital, screaming. She had been to the doctor and ER multiple times. The doctors told her she confused them with her description of where the pain was located. He had the 12 inch scar. She had three or four tiny scars.

To complicate all this, my father died of pancreatic cancer. His pain, nausea, and vomiting  was what alerted him. So, anytime I have pain and mention it to the doctor, I also tell them of my family history. Yes, his mother died of the same thing. I am his child who looks like his side of the family and have all their allergies.

When I was 21-years-old and a new mother, I was advised to have kidney surgery. Since waiting would cause no further damage, I decided to wait. my kidney was too low, shoved down by pregnancy. ??? The doctor said the pain would get worse and I would be begging him for surgery. I was in pain for 18 months. One morning, the pain was just completely gone.

Now, I have a new doctor, one who will be fired someday when I find a new doctor. I just never went back...lol...after the first time. In the meantime, I may need him for something minor.  When I mentioned the pain I was having that day, the pain I have that is more like the liver area, he looked me in the face with a bored expression and said, "There is nothing wrong with your liver." All this as he turned to leave the room.

"How do you know?" He left the room.

Just because the white of my eyes are bright white and my skin is not yellow?

Another doctor told me I had pulled a muscle. He must have been a psychic. He never even touched me. He is also the doctor that told me I was not, could not be pregnant even though I had two other children and knew what pregnancy was like.  Then, he would not admit I had a baby that was full term but said she was over a month early when she was born.

So, it is almost 2 pm and I have not eaten anything and my blood sugar has not dropped precipitously, giving me the shakes.

To top it off, I have done secret shopper jobs for fast food lately! In the past I have found that eating too much fat over two or three days, causes the stabbing pain and nausea to occur with the next occasion of any kind of fat consumption. Beef, even lean beef is not my friend. Chicken breast does not hurt me. Eggs don't hurt me. Cheese does not hurt me. However, cheese and milk after too much beef or fried consumption does hurt me almost as soon as I finish eating it. If I eat beef or fried food, I refrain from more than a bit of cheese or milk and certainly nothing fried for several weeks or a month, maybe more. It seems there is a cumulative effect going on here.

I don't shun fried foods or fats, I just ration them. Obviously, I need to shun more.

My friend's 75-year-old grandmother had gall bladder problem/disease for 30 years and had no surgery. She just knew what to eat and what not to eat. Hmmm...sounds like me or something. Only, my gall bladder is functioning normally, according to tests.

All the time, I examine my own thoughts, thinking I could be just a hypochondriac.  So far, all my other complaints (thyroid) have been real and required treatment, I think I know what is happening. Now, I am going to say something that makes me sound overly concerned about every little pain or symptom--my father's sibling died from cancer as did he. Well, about 6 of the 12 did die from cancer. Plus, cousins on that side of the family have had cancer; some died; some survived.

About 25-years ago I was a vendor at craft shows. In ten days I worked two mall shows. Luckily, my booth in both places was in front of a Chic-Fil-A. Before I got on the interstate, I would buy a Hardees sausage and biscuit. Every day for dinner I had Chic-Fil-A. After eating this diet 8 out of 10 days, I pulled over on the interstate and threw up and felt as though I were going to faint.

Now, I will begin my quest anew--find a family doctor who will refer me to a surgeon not in this town! I do not want to be taken to the hospital screaming for surgery like my daughter and her father. I do not want to have an emergency arise because no one will find the problem.  Right now, it feels like there is something pushing against my ribs from behind them.

Okay, I just ate 1.5 pieces of bacon because I was faint and wanted it. My head hurt and my blood sugar was dropping. And, I decided to have a small bit of milk after waiting 15 minutes. So far, no pain. Yes, I will eat some vegetables and fruit. I just needed quick satiation.

I do not go from doctor to doctor seeking relief. I just mention the pain and nausea to a doctor when I have a checkup or have another reason to make an appointment. Only once did I go to the doctor specifically, and have I been tested when the pain was horrific.

Okay, I will shut up before you all think I am a nut. But, this pain and nausea has been happening on and off for the past few weeks.

NEWS: I had a CT scan ordered by the urologist for my kidney. It will "show everything." as the person just assured me. My urologist and gynecologist take me seriously! They actually listen and get to the bottom (no pun intended) of my problems. The urologist nurse called ten minutes ago, and the CT scheduler called just now. So, Wednesday morning, I am off for a CT.

Happy dancing here.

Update: I had the kidney problem, and all the other problems before my parents or relatives developed cancer or anyone relayed anything about cancer, liver, or kidney disease. I do not and did not live in fear of these diseases and develop symptoms myself. I have had a strange itching sensation in my body, on the inside. Mama said Daddy had the same thing all the time. It is/was a horrendous feeling because I could not scratch it. It is located approximately where the pancreas is located. Okay, now I do sound crazy...lol.

My friend just now told me I have a virus because a virus is going around! NOT!

Your turn
Has anyone had this problem with diagnosis that my daughter had for several weeks and that I am having? Share any story you want. I am listening...so to speak.