Blackberry Jelly

I decided to try my hand at making seedless blackberry jelly.  I usually just throw the blackberries we pick from our bushes into freezer bags and place them in the freezer.  Most of the time they just take up space and I forget about them.  So, being a lover of blackberry jam, I decided to try canning my own.

I placed the frozen blackberries into my large crock-pot.  I cooked them on high for a few hours to release their juices.  I smashed the berries with a potato masher to try and release more juices before I scooped a cup of berries out of the crock-pot into a metal strainer. 

Placing the strainer over a large bowl, I put the cooked berries into it. The juices dripped into the bowl free of seeds.  I pressed a spoon onto the berries to try to get as much juice from them.  Then I emptied the strainer and repeated the process until all the berries and juice was out of the crock-pot.

Next, I strained the juice again.  This made sure no seeds were in the juice. 

I then measured how many cups of juice I had collected.  I added 1 cup of sugar to 3 cups of juice and 1 tbs of lemon juice to every 6 cups of juice.  We don't like our jams and jellies overly sugared.

I placed the mixture into a pot and heating it on the stove, I brought the mixture to a boil while stirring it frequently.  The optimal temperature for the mixture is 220F.  I used a candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature.  Once reaching a temperature of 220F, I let it boil for a minute.

Turning the stove burner off, I ladled the mixture into my prepared half pint jars.  I love my wide mouth funnel to keep the mess to a minimum. 

After the mixture was in the jars, I wiped the rims and placed lids and rings on the jars.  Then I lowered the jars into the hot water bath.  I boiled them for 15 minutes.

Once the jars were done, I removed them from the bath and placed on my counter.  The lovely sound of the lids pinging signally a seal was heard almost immediately. 

We can't wait to fix toast and lather it with the blackberry jelly.

Seasonal Camping - Checklist before going home

I don't know about you, but leaving my camper on site was a rough adjustment.  I was accustomed  to having it at home and accessing it whenever I wanted.  Leave something in the camper, no problem, just go out and get it.  With a seasonal site, I don't have that luxury.  It was tough at first, but overtime with my checklist, we have leaving and not forgetting to a science.  Oh, the kids may forget something, but they will remember to double check the next time!

Leaving the Camper to Go Home Checklist

1. Dishes washed
2. Floors swept/mopped if needed
3. Hot water heater off
4. Check fridge for items that need to go home and place in ice chest  
5. Laundry taken to van and any clean clothes needed to go home 
6. Bathroom cleaned and trash removed
7. Beds made or linens removed to be washed at home (depends upon stay)
8. Garbage taken out
9. All electronics/chargers unplugged
10. Fans turned off (including ceiling fan)
11.  A/C or furnace turned off *
12. Shades down and check that windows are closed. (add vents if not covered)
13. Black tank dumped and black tank flushed ** Then empty gray tank.
14. Awning in 
15. Outside gear put away ***
16. After black tank has been flushed, close the valve.  Go inside and add the black tank chemical with water to the toilet and flush. ****
17. Check and make sure all storage compartments are closed and locked.
18. Lock the door on the way out.
19. Turn off water at the spigot.
20. Make sure dogs and leashes are in the van!

* Some people like to set their A/C to a higher temp and leave it until they return.  I have only done this a couple of times when we would be back in a couple days and it was going to be super hot.  I will have the A/C set to 80F.  The amount of electric it uses to keep it at 80F wasn't anymore than if we came in and tried to get the rig cool and comfortable when it was over 90F.  It was much easier to cool from 80F to 72F.  If the weather was going to turn out exceptionally cold with a freeze, we would leave the furnace turned to 50.  This way the pipes were protected.  We have only done this once on purpose and once on accident our first year.  Didn't have the check list and well, he thought I turned it off and I thought he did. 

** I use the black tank flush every time we get ready to leave.  Keeping the black tank clean keeps odors away and avoids the poo/tp pyramid that many have experienced.  It took two years to convince my dad to do this.  He was having issues and after I cleaned his tank very well, he finally realized it was much easier to spend another five to ten minutes running water at the end of camp.  !!!Remember to never leave your black tank open during your stay at camp!!! 

***This happens to be the hubs' and the boy's job.  (Sometimes hubs doesn't come up to camp.)  Our first year, it drove me crazy with him trying to help do the inside things and tanks.  It upset my methodical rhythm and surely I would forget something.  So, I assign him the outside chores and carrying things I place on the landing to the van.  Once we established the routine things hummed right along. 

**** I hold down the foot pedal and count to 30 slowly to make sure enough water is in the holding tank to keep any residue from sticking to the bottom of the tank.  Taking care of the black tank happens to be a thankless job that no one really seems to care about until there is a problem.  

I hope this checklist helps you out and makes life at a seasonal camp a little easier.  We go to enjoy and relax, not take care of issues due to an unkept camper. By myself, it takes about 40 minutes to complete my checklist tasks.  The reward is opening up a nice, clean, and organized camper each trip. 

Seasonal Camping - Check List for Going to Camp

If you are like me, you will think 'I will remember that'.  Then you don't.  I know there is a Wally World near our camper, but I don't want to have to run out every trip up to the camp.  So, I created a list on my phone of what I need to take to camp.

1.  Clothing

I keep a closet inventory on my phone for my clothes, hubs clothes and A-Man's clothes.  Egee never leaves clothes at camp. I always update the list after I pack up any clothes I'm taking back to the house from the camper. I try to leave at least 1 pair of socks and undies for each of us in the camper and a shirt and shorts.  Some trips I may leave more, if we are coming right back in a couple of days.  So, having an updated list is important for my sanity.

2.  What is in the fridge/freezer and pantry?

We keep the fridge on all season.  No sense taking everything home and bringing it back in a few days. I make note of the meats I have left in the freezer, so I don't bring extra.  I have a list of items needed for the fridge that we are almost out.  Even if I'm not going to bring groceries from home, it comes in handy when heading to the grocery at camp.

3.  What are we out of in general?

This list is for the we used the last or next to the last and have extras at home to bring instead of         running to the store to replace.  We stock up on batteries at Costco and it is much cheaper than         having to buy them at Wally World.  Toilet paper and paper towels are also a Costco bulk        purchase that we have at home to bring up.  We buy the huge pack of paper plates there as well         and it will go on the list when needed.

4.  Measurements

When thinking about storage ideas or toying around with replacing window coverings in the rv at home, you need measurements!  I keep a list of window and cabinet measurements on my phone.  I have found it handy.

I hope these give you a few ideas to create your own organized lists for your camping needs.

Camping Season Has Begun!

Our season typically begins April 1st.  This year it was delayed due to Covid-19.  Ugh!  A five month wait was bad enough, but facing an unknown in opening was hard.  The tentative date was April 15th and then moved to May 1st.  April 27th came and the county board okayed that camping season could begin without having a fourteen day quarantine.  YAY!

I had the rv techs come out before our arrival to remove the cover and reseal any spots that needed it.  I began the packing process of linens, clothes, and other items we brought home that needed to go back.  Checking everything and making sure nothing was missing.  Of course, this activity excited our pups.  They love to go camping as much as I do!  It was like waiting for Christmas morning.

Up the mountain we rode to the campsite.  We stopped for fresh strawberries.  What is spring time without the sweet tasting goodness of local strawberries?

Finally, we arrived.  Things were going to be different for this season.  Unfortunately, our campground owner passed in March.  His son was going to run things now.  We will surely miss Dan, but Justin has been trained well by his dad.  We signed papers stating we understood the Covid-19 rules.  Then drove on to our site.

Setting up camp for the season is a thrill.  Do we set up just like last year or change it around a bit?  Do we need to keep x or toss it?  How did this stuff get disorganized?  How can I organize it better?  Did we use this at all last year?  Well, that doesn't work....put it on the list for another.  We need to really tackle this project this year.  Where did all these stink bugs come from?!

After a few days of relaxing and organizing, camp feels cozy and relaxing.  It is better to spend a few days doing the dirty work in order to spend months relaxing.

Stained the steps and landing finally!  It has only been on the to-do list for two years!

Moved the patio rug down a bit and put up the new canopy.

Replaced the old table and seat coverings this year.

Lucy enjoyed her play time in the big field and a swim in the creek.

Finally put up the shelf I've had sitting around for a year!  Now my EOs have a space.  My daughter made the sign for me last year.

Can't wait to get back up to my happy place and relax!

The Go-Kart

Almost, the entire U.S. is 'home-schooling' due to Covid-19.  Our public school friends have found themselves in unfamiliar territory and are reaching out to homeschoolers for advice.

"How long should my son be spending on his school work?"
"What do you do for school work?"
"How often should we take breaks?"

Unfortunately, I couldn't really answer these questions.  Why?  We don't home-school.  We unschool or life-school.

The looks I get when I say this are pure shock.  What?  You don't do school?  How do they learn?  What do you do?  Are you allowed to do that?  Do they take tests?  How do you know if they are learning?

I tell them my kids learn the skills needed to succeed in life.  Everyday is different and new skills are always learned.  I talk to my kids and discuss their interest.  I guide them.  I don't indulge and do for them.

Here is a recent example of how unschooling works with the boy.

The boy saved his money and bought a used go-kart.  This happened just as the Covid-19 pandemic caused schools in our area to close.  This was the perfect opportunity to 'show' how unschooling works.

1.  Money management skills - having to work and save money to purchase an item, earn money to
                                                   replace parts, earn/save money for gasoline

2.  Engine maintenance - having to learn how the engine works, trouble shoot issues, change oil, etc.

3.  Research and Communication - using web browser to find information on the go-kart and engine,
                                                         calling various stores to see if they carried the needed parts,
                                                         convincing parents to drive to these stores for the parts.

4.  Math skills - measuring, money, gear ratios, chain sizes, speed calculations

The boy has spent the last month working on his prized possession.  He has learned most of this on his own.  Asking his dad for advice and help occasionally.  He can now take apart the engine and put it back together.  He still isn't finished fixing his machine, due to the fact he needs to earn more money for another part.  It is a work in progress.  The lessons he is learning are more important than those found in a textbook.  He is developing skills he will always remember and use.  There isn't a quiz or a test at the end of this project.  The test is ongoing.  There is a reward.  He will eventually have a fully functional go-kart to enjoy at the end of the test.

Kings Moutain National and State Parks

In March, we ventured up the road to Kings Mountain National and State Parks.  The weather was not wanting to be cooperative, but we decided to go and take a chance that it may clear.  We started at Kings Mountain National Military Park due to the rain.

Inside the visitor center, we looked at the uniforms of the American Over-mountain man and a Loyalist of the British Crown.  The men that fought in the battle of Kings Mountain were not normal military men.  These men were all colonist that happened to have their loyalties lie to different sides of the revolution.  This battle was more of 'civil war' than British troops versus the American troops.

We watched the movie about the battle of Kings Mountain in the theater of the visitor center.  We learned how the battle took place and how it, along with the Battle of Cowpens, changed the course of the American Revolution.

After the movie, we looked at the museum.  Unfortunately, the museum area was under construction and most of the displays were off limits.

We did not walk the trail, due to the weather conditions.

We decided to brave the mist and light rain to head to the state park section.  As we ate our lunch, under the picnic shelter, the rain began to dissipate and the sun started to poke out.  Yay!  We traveled over to the living history area of the park after lunch.

This area of the state park is a wonderful depiction of a back country farmstead.  We enjoyed looking at the different buildings and watching the horses.

Overall, we had a nice outing with friends to learn more about the lives of our ancestors.