The last batch is in the canner, for a total of 49 jars, and 7 jars of salsa. The dark blotches in the jars are basil leaves, a little funny looking but very tasty! five hours of work for 3 people and about 35 bucks worth of produce, lids, etc. We won't reap a great financial savings, but the flavor of the product is much better than anything in the supermarket.

This is what we started with, we're about half done. That's 3 loads of 7 jars each, and one batch of salsa. Boy, is it hot in the kitchen! Thank goodness for cold beer.

We picked 2 bushels of tomatoes at a farm near Cedarburg tonight after work. The farm was closing in a little over and hour, so we didn't think there would be time to get enough, but there were so many big ripe beautiful ones that it was not a problem. On Saturday, after I get off of work, We'll fire up the big kettles, stuff those red pearls into jars and embalm them with fresh basil.

Went for a quick ride last night, so I could get a few miles on the new bike. The cold weather comes wo quickly in wisconsin, there's less than 2 months before it becomes uncomfortable. So I got in 14 miles in about an hour, not an olympic record, but not bad for someone rapidly approaching middle age.

hi

a

Helllooooo can you h

Helllooooo, can you hear me?
Just wanted to see if this durned thang works.

Dip!

This is Lynn's receipe for the Southwestern Corn Dip

1 can (15 oz) yellow corn kernels
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced black olives
1 can ( 4 Oz.) chopped green chiles
Approximately 2 tablespoons from - 1 can (4 oz.) hot jalapeno peppers chopped
2 jarred roasted red peppers
1 Cup shredded monterey jack or colby-jack cheese
1/2 C grated parmesan cheese
1 C. Mayo
Tortilla chips

Bake 350 for 30 minutes

Drain corn, olives, green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Use as much jalapeno peppers as you prefer ( I have used approx. 2 tablespoons). Finely dice roasted peppers and add to bowl. Add both cheeses and mayo. Stir well. Spray 2-quart baking dish lightly with vegetable spray. Place dip into dish and smooth top. Bake until top is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

good way to start a weekend 

It finally warmed up again, enough for a zip up to wales and back...

Peapod

The weather took a chilly turn last week, so we went to Big Fanny instead of riding outdoors :P
Things are brighter today, but still cold.
While catching up on housework and naps, we saved some time by doing our weekly shopping at Peapod.com. The quality and service are perfect, and the prices were not so much higher as to keep us from using them, at least once in a while.

Quickie

Merton to Sussex and back, about 10 miles in an hour. The weather could not have been nicer, especially for the time of year. It's been a year since Cat and I started riding regularly, happy anniversary to my honey!

Having more fun, that I am

 

why not, it's all going to fall out anyway...

Radio Paradise

The best in internet radio!

almost forgot

We had some more great weather yesterday, when we rode from Waukesha to Dousman. It was at least 70 out, but when we turned back there was a nasty headwind. The total milage was about 25, and Cathy did a great job. The average speed was about 11 MPH.

Great day

Quick, through the portal!
It was a most wonderful day to have off of work. We loaded up the bikes and headed to Madison about 8 in the morning. The first stop was breakfast, and Cathy had found the best possible place by typing "Madison breakfast" into Google. It's a retro styled place called the Blue Plate Diner.
Cathy enjoyed a pesto mushroom omelet, and I had the huevos rancheros. Black beans and eggs seem scary, but they turned out to be the perfect fuel for our endeavours. Our waitress had just the right amount of sass to match her surroundings, nothing forced or phony, and the waiter cleaning the adjoining booth rolled his eyes at her like the perfect foil.
After breakfast, we backtracked a short way to Cottage Grove and loaded up our bikes for a three-hour-tour, yes, a three-hour-tour. It was cool enough for us to keep our sweaters on but still nice for the time of year, a stiff wind in our face was making it more work than we liked on our first time out. Our leg out took about 2 hours, and we went a good bit further than we had planned. We made it all the way to Lake Mills, 15 miles from our start, that's already further than we rode the whole first week last year! A sub sandwich was shared, and with some cokes we gathered up our strength for the return journey. The way back was mercifully better, as our nice day became unseasonably wonderful, the wind was at our backs to push us the long way to the car. Cathy deserves a lot of credit for working out so hard all winter, last year she rode for 3 miles her first time out and today she did 30. I think it's going to be a great summer!

Soon!

It's supposed to be in the 60's on monday, and we have the day off! Very sweet if I might say. That leaves the weekend to get the bikes ready and do the usuall chores. On Monday we're going to go towards Madison and ride a piece of the Glacial Drumlin trail we've never been on. The temperature should be almost 10 degrees warmer if we go that far west, 65 degrees instead of maybe 55-60 by the lake of Michigan. Yowsah! first time in the saddle all year, it's going to be interesting...

it's done, Happy Easter! 

it's ready for the oven! 

Can't wait!

It's been a restful weekend, and after being busy at work in addition to getting over a mild virus, a couple of mellow days are welcome.  The sun streaming in on the morning paper helps, as does the fat kitty curled up in the corner.
Feeling a bit rested is fueling our touch of spring fever, Cathy just said that she "can't wait to put on her shorts and ride her bike." I don't know about wearing shorts anytime soon, but we might have our butts in the saddle in as soon as six weeks. If we keep going to the gym the start of the season shouldn't be too traumatic.

Mental health day!

I called in sick today with one of those stealth colds that seems to hang around for weeks, coming and going, annoying as hell. Perhaps yesterday would have been better for me, but I can't do that to the other kids at work. Besides, someone else called in Monday, and that's part of the reason I'm so burnt today. Today will consist of listening to tunes, drinking green tea, and maybe some light laundry later on. There's also some leftover pork which I'll make into fried rice for a nice easy but tasty dinner for my honey.

[Listening to: (-=- MPEGRadio.Com -=- Classical Selections) - 4 seasons spring - (0:-1)]