Preserving Nature...

Good morning!

It's 11:00am and my head hurts but I'm determined to work through it. I've been up since 8:30, excited about the idea of making strawberry preserves.

My two books I special ordered on "putting up" came in! Today is Saturday, and the best part of Saturday is getting up and heading to my local Farmer's Market. It's open from 8-3pm and is a block long with stands on both sides of the street.


(This is Becky)


(This is Dorian)

My new roommates Dorian and Becky (D&B) went with me last week and fell in love. They won't be attending the market today due to cat-sitting for a friend, so I have a nice list of items to purchase for them. The pressure is on!

The best part of the Farmer's Market? Organic, local strawberries! I'm going to purchase 2 quarts for the preserves recipe and 1 quart for family. I don't know if D&B want strawberries, I should text them on my way out.

The strawberry preserves recipe calls for:

2 quarts whole berries, capped and quartered.
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 pack pectin
1/2 tbsp butter
7 cups sugar

It should make 7-8 half-pint jars.

If I can get everything organic, I will be thrilled!

The coolest part? I have all this left-over strawberry fabric that I can make cute little jar "hats" out of.



So today's plan?

0. Pharmacy for headache relief
1. Farmer's Market
2. Home to drop off produce.
3. Downtown to Zabars for canning supplies
4. Copy Center to color-copy some photos for coasters
5. Maxila & Mandible to look at butterflies
6. Home to make coasters for my mom's birthday (Monday).
7. Off to a birthday dinner w/ the family for my mom.

<3 Always,
--Taina

strawberries

I've been craving fruit like nobody's business recently. Like apples with peanut butter and really good organic strawberries. yum! After work today, I'm heading to Whole Foods to buy some really good fruit, parmasean and some munchy veggies like baby carrots and such. I'm sad I missed my local Farmer's Market yesterday. It's only every Saturday from 8am-3pm. Next week, I will buy some of their amazing apple cider. I can't wait!

I'm actually leaving my apt. in 15 mins for Target to buy some necessities like paper towels, razors, organic milk and such. Oh, and chocolate bars and marshmallows for my s'more maker! I think I'm hanging out w/ a new work friend tomorrow night, and I promised him s'mores.

I sold my little umbrella coin purse this morning! I was hoping someone would buy it, since I think it's super cute.

Anyway, here's a strawberry zipper pouch to tide me over until I purchase some actual fruit this evening:



<3 Always,
--Taina