Marmalade Love

Dh has marmalade on toast every morning, and has been for the past few years. So I have been buying him various kinds of marmalade, some better than others, he says. As I watched C-boy slathering his pbj with the strawberry freezer jam I made last summer, I was struck by a couple of thoughts: 'I could make marmalade' and 'why haven't I ever made some?' Well, I really don't like marmalade and citrus season is in mid-winter when I am not necessarily thinking about canning. But, here we are, smack in the middle of prime citrus season, so off I go to my canning books and the internet to find "the best marmalade recipe ever" to make for dh. And, I think I found it. June Taylor makes her preserves in Berkley and has a world-wide cult following. I was able to find a few of her marmalade recipes online, being the cyber-sleuth that I am. She makes her own pectin from the membranes and seeds of the fruit and uses a lower amount of sugar in a process that can only be called a labor of love. As I love dh and a food challenge, I made a batch of Satsuma Marmalade during one of our snow days this week. Again, I don't like marmalade, it's bitter, pithy taste with large chunks of peel and membrane, but- I LOVE this marmalade. The citrus segments removed from their membrane with thin slices of peel floating in the bright citrus-y goodness accented by the sweet-tang of meyer lemon. YUM. I am in love. It didn't jel as much as I would like, I will do a few things differently next time, but it is luscious. I think so anyway, and so does dh. I do want to order some of June Taylor's to compare as she is the jam goddess, but for now, I have a new obsession. Today I will attempt Pink Grapefruit-Meyer Lemon. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

SNOW!

Is anything more fun than a snow day?!? I have had a grin on my face since I got out of bed this morning. School is cancelled, after we had already decided to stay home and play, but dh had already left for school on his bike. Yes, on his bike, 10 miles in the snow, what a stud. They cancelled after he arrived, so he headed back home via MAX and his bike again. Uncle T made a surprise visit for snowball fun and breakfast, a special treat. So now we sit, enjoying the soft, white view from our front window, listening to Sam Phillips. Snow doesn't happen here very often, so it is quite a treat. Even for a 36 yr-old mama-of-three. "Yay, God!" said E. I couldn't agree more. Off to sled with my children, walk to the coffee shop, and play in the snow, snow, snow.

Sick Day

E is sick today. We have spent the morning lounging on the couch watching Narnia and Samantha. Lil' C is fighting the same thing and grumpy and clingy. I am grumpy, too. Not sure if it is because of needy girls or because of the elimintation diet I started this week. Usually by day 5 I am feeling great. It has been hard eating nothing but protein and vegetables, especially when there are chocolate chip cookies and dh's fabulous cranberry-nut bread in the house. We have 2 family weddings coming this summer and I, too would like to look fabulous in a dress, plus this holiday season I gave myself permission to eat as I wanted and neglect my exercise. I feel so much healthier when I am eating the way that is right for me- no wheat or sugar, low carbs. But I LOVE food. And reading Ruth Reichl this week has been no help at all. I want to be her when I grow up. She describes food with such amazing detail. Alas, I am not. So... I am going to call my sister for a pep talk to help me avoid eating the tater tots coming out of the oven. They are organic and a vegetable, right?

New Year's Socks 101

One of my goals for the year 2007 was to knit socks. Larissa's Socks 101 Test-along allowed me to accomplish that goal already!

Pattern: Socks 101 Test-along
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay #53 Mulberry
Size: Women's Medium- 32st.
Needles: US 10 dpn

Manos del Uruguay wool is luscious to knit with. The pattern was fun and easy and is a great first sock to knit before tiny-gauge sock knitting. Once again, thanks, Larissa!

I can't believe this is my first post in the new year. I have pictures of my knitted gifts, but have yet to post them here. I have so many past posts in my head that I wish I could have actually blogged. Uploading photos and blogging takes more time that I can devote right now, but I hope to become more adept and speedy.

Here is part of what keeps me so busy.....lil' C is such a climber. We can't keep her off the table, couch, in the bathroom sink playing in the water, or the ladder to the bunks. We have been taking the ladder off during the day, but sometimes forget. She managed to fall through the top rung the other day and was hanging by her head, yes, head. Luckily, I heard the thump and ran in the bedroom to swoop her up. She is fine other than a bruise on her forehead. I think I sprouted 10 more gray hairs with that one. I would not be at all surprised if I am completely white by the time she is 5!

Cold here, well cold for our town. There is a possibility of snow. It has been many years since we have had a real snow. I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope.....