October 4, 2024
I woke up at 4 am. I laid there and tried to go back to sleep. I eventually did about the time my alarm went off. I prayed and then got up at 6:30 am. I made a French Press coffee. While I drank coffee, I read my Bible and sent out the verse of the day:
It was raining this morning, so I drove Zeb to class. I ate a banana for breakfast. I got home and helped Cliff get ready for his closing. I rode to Johnson City and Kingsport with him. After the closing, we headed home. We picked up Zeb and then grabbed pizzas for a late lunch.
Cliff and Zeb took some checks to Kingsport.
I tided up the kitchen and washed some jars for canning. Last night, I soaked a couple of bags of Great Northern Beans. I ended up with 7.5 quarts. I canned 7 quarts and put the ½ quart in the freezer. I use the instructions in the Ball Canning Book for dried beans. I clean the beans searching for any little rocks or old looking beans. I then give them a good rinse and put them in a big pot and fill the pot with water with at least 4 or 5 inches over the beans. I let them soak overnight. The next morning, I drain the beans and refill the pot with water and bring to a boil and let cook for 30 minutes. While they cook, I sanitize the jars, rings and flaps and also the funnel and jar utensils. I also add water to the canner (probably about 2 quarts maybe a bit less) and get the water nice and hot. Everything needs to be clean and hot. I fill the hot jars about 3/4 full and add 1 teaspoon of salt for quart jars and fill the rest with the hot cooking liquid (you can use boiling water if you run out of bean liquid) leaving 1 inch of head space. Put on the flap and ring and finger tighten. Once the jars are filled, I put them in the pressure canner and lock the lid on. Once the canner has a steady stream of stem coming out the spout and the toggle pops up, let it build pressure for 10 minutes. Mine has a flat toggle that I place on the spout, let the pressure build to 10 pounds for 90 minutes. Keep a sharp eye on the pressure and adjust the stove eye as needed. After 90 minutes, turn off the heat and let the pressure drop to 0. I usually wait another 20 minutes or so before I remove the toggle and take the lid off. Be careful removing the hot jars. Set them on a couple of layers of dish towels or a folded large towel. Remember when taking hot jars out of the canner that the water dripping off is hot also. I turn off the ceiling fan when taking the jars out so there won't be any draft. Sitting hot jars on a countertop that doesn't have a towel, or something can possibly cause the jars to break. Happy Bean Canning ;)
I have another pot of Great Northen soaking and I will can those up tomorrow.
I crushed up the last of the dried chili peppers. I put a few in the spice grinder. That was not smart. I took the lid off and the powder from the peppers went in my eyes and nose. Did not feel good! I remembered that last time I used a mortar and pestle and that worked much better. I let Dolly go out back for a little while. It feels good outside.
The zipper on Zeb’s camera bag broke so I gave him mine. He seems to be happy with it. I’m working on my blog and trying to catch up on the days that I have missed. Also, working on laundry.
I like doing a few small loads every day. I used to wait until I had a full load of darks, whites or towels before I did a load. I set the water level to small or medium and then wash whatever is dirty. It is quicker in my opinion, and I don’t have big piles of dirty laundry anymore. I guess the only downside is that I end up wearing the same clothes over and over because they are the ones hanging the closest to the entry of the closet😊
It is almost time for bed. I pray that everyone has a good nights rest and wakes up happy, healthy, safe and always in God’s love and care.