Despite adding 5 cayenne peppers to increase the heat index from my first batch of pepper jelly, this batch still does not have the kick I want. Here's the recipe I used. Pepper Jelly
Next time, I will add some habenero peppers. Here's an interesting heat index chart for peppers. Habeneros are definitely the hottest pepper. Scoville Pepper Scale
I have been pondering why the jelly didn't have a "kick" when I increased the hot peppers. But thinking back, when I was about 9 month pregnant with our first baby, we went to a Chinese restaurant. There was something on my plate that looked like a shriveled up mushroom. I anxiously put it in my mouth ready to savor it when all of a sudden I thought my head would explode. My mom looked at me and saw my eyes watering and my face completely red. She later told me she thought I'd go into labor. That mushroom was a hot pepper of some kind. I tried water, rice, soy sauce, anything, but nothing was taking away the heat. Finally, the waitress suggested a teaspoon of white sugar. The sugar instantly cut the heat.
Now it makes sense why my pepper jelly isn't producing the strong heat effect I have wanted - the sugar is diminising its impact. Interestingly, when I use even 1/4 of the peppers for my salsa recipe, it's quite hot (there's hardly any sugar in the recipe) - in fact, much hotter than the pepper jelly.
Learn something new everyday.
My girlfriend made some pepper jelly last week and boy was I hooked. We put it on a whole wheat cracker with cream cheese. Here's the first batch I made on Saturday. I'm making more today as well as hopefully finishing up the last of the applesauce and pear sauce.
Just got back from the pumpkin patch. It was HOT in October! Here's my favorite punkin.
Can you sleep in that position? Forget that - can you even GET in that position? LOL
We've had an absolutely gorgeous week - weather in the low 80s. The kids have been having so much fun playing outside. It doesn't get better than this.
I have seriously been neglecting my knitting. There were a few projects that were put aside because of stumbling blocks - infant vest (better hurry up on that one with my baby growing so fast) and an infant girl sweater.
Pearly's volleyball season has just started, so I'll be able to take some knitting along to the games. I have been so itching to knit. I think socks are calling my name.
I recently found this sweater. I began knitting it probably 8 years ago using a 50s pattern book. The pattern suggested crocheting the button bands. I did not like that at all, so they were knit instead. I'm still not pleased with the tension on the buttonbands and the buttons are a little small for the button holes, so I may redo it, but it's nice to see a baby actually wearing something that was put in a basket for so many years. And - it still has growing room - yeah!
Not the greatest pic, but you get the idea of the sweater. And meet my 1st baby who loves his pacifier. Five of my babies were long-term finger/thumb suckers and one sucked a blanket. This little guy is hooked on his paci. I wish we could keep it to just sleeping time, but he seems to have such a strong sucking need. Don't ask me how many pacifiers we've bought now. I swear they have feet.
Bunny is growing up. We celebrated his 4th birthday recently. (Another friend was celebrating her birthday with us, too, so that's why the extra candle is in there.)
Wow - it's a bit crazy around here. I've been working on projects for the house lately. I took a sheet of scrapbook paper in a shade that I liked to Lowe's and asked the sales clerk if she could match the color for me to paint in our living room. She told me that she had just put a gallon of paint in the "mis-tint" clearance section that was pretty close to the color. It took me only seconds to decide: $5 for a gallon or $28.95 a gallon? I took the paint to the register and the cashier gave me a receipt for $5 off a gallon of paint. I painted my living room for FREE. It's a gold color and gives it a nice updated look.
A week ago, the kids went to "Homeschool Day" at the local amusement park. We had a really nice time and I was able to get a picture of all seven children (which is getting more and more difficult these days).
Boy, I've been horrible at blogging lately - all the summer activities have been keeping me hopping. A week or so ago, I finished this tote bag. I bought the fabric - a thick canvas print at a garage sale for $.25. The straps (not the right word - my brain is tired) probably cost $2.00. It has a zippered pocket on the outside and one in the inside. I made up the pattern using another bag I have for inspiration. It will be a nice knitting bag - - or maybe library bag - - or beach bag - - it's a versatile bag - lol. 
I took the first picture on June 16. Now look at all the pears. We had a great year for pears this year. I ate 3 today! 
We just got back from our last vacation of the summer - a family camp on Whidbey Island, Washington. We had a great time in the lake, playing volleyball, carpetball, pickle ball, handball, lots of organized games, great speaker, good food that mama didn't have to cook, no dishes, just fun.
PJ decided to pick this week to cut his first 2 teeth, so other than keeping mama up most nights, we had a great time, even though the weather was not that warm. We love family camp!!
Here's a picture of Bunny on the ferry ride going home. Now back to reality - pears are falling of the pear trees, tomatoes are ripening for salsa, must make pesto, pickles, and get ready for the new school year. Time sure has flown this summer!
Here's an interesting tree spotted at the coast. I think it looks pretty cool. 
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