Setting Up Safe Haven and Strawberry Jam

Been busy here ... as you can imagine ...

with homemaking chores, and homesteading routines,

and whatnot.

At this point, the focus is just upon emptying boxes.

I'll figure out where everything will "best go" later.

Here is my safe haven.

And here is my Strawberry Jam-Making Session.

The jam didn't "set" all the way solid ...

the only thing I can figure I did wrong was

I added six cups of sugar, and not seven.

It still tastes delicious ... as you can imagine.

Ozarks Sunset from My Front Porch

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I am a long way from Texas ... long, long way.

It is beautiful here.

 

This is the view straight out my front porch.

And here is "my" big red farm truck

sitting in the property's main driveway.

I got my first real lesson in

learning how to drive in the snow

this morning.

I was a freezing-cold, nervous wreck.

When I got to the little cafe downtown, 

and was asked what I would like to drink ...

I said, "I need something to calm my nerves, and warm me up,

so I'll just take a shot of tequila, please ma'am."

I think it might take these people up here 

a while to "get" my Texas flavor.

Who orders a cheeseburger for breakfast, 

and asks for jalapenos instead of pickles!?

With a big ole grin I says, "What!? No jalapenos, no tequila ... 

I really AM a long way from Texas."

I'm gonna let y'all guess where I be ...

since, as Andy says, I like to keep y'all guessin' ... heeheehee.

I think there may be a tiny hint of my location

in one of my more recent blogs.

 

Above is a closer view of the pond to the right of my "front yard."

Below is the main driveway in front of the house 

with the gate that takes you up to the highway

through the front half of the hilly property.

 

Another close-up of the pond.

 And here is the main driveway in front of the house 

with the gate that takes you to the back hilly-half of the property 

where the barn and chicken house and cows are.

This picture was taken directly in front of the truck ...
which is parked right in front of the house.

I have a camera now ... finally ... yeehaw ...

and still have a TON of boxes to sort and unpack ...

but I am thrilled to announce that I will be posting more often now.

I really do have soooo much to tell y'all.

And, Tript2, it is very nice to see you again ... 

made me smile when I saw that you had found me.

I hope you are well.

(((  hugs for all  )))

Stay warm, my friends, and thank you for your patience.

Major Changes Ahead ...

Woo-Hoo ... to be continued

Brooke's Confetti Pico

2-3 firm avocados cut in small chunks (NOT mashed)
1 medium onion finely chopped 


a "bunch/sprig" of green seedless grapes finely chopped 

a "bunch/sprig" of red seedless grapes finely chopped


1 jalapeno finely chopped 

1 serrano finely chopped 

1 poblano finely chopped 


1 red bell (veined) finely chopped 

1 green bell (veined) finely chopped

1 yellow bell (veined) finely chopped 

1 orange bell (veined) finely chopped


fresh cilantro 

fresh squeezed lime 


salt & pepper 

garlic powder 


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Toss it up good and let sit at least an hour to absorb flavors.


It is not only DELISH, but it is BEAUTIFUL ... 

the colors are striking! 

I call it my "confetti pico" ... 

and, I assure you, it is the TALK of the party!!!! 

Oh!  You can vein and seed the hotter peppers 

if you want a milder pico de gallo.

ENJOY! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~