Queen of the Juggle

Today I taught a class at our local food co-op about canning and preserving today.  I admit I had waited until the last minute to put everything together.  It was half out of necessity and half because I feel like I can preserve in my sleep.  I’m not a dynamo, it just isn’t rocket science and isn’t scary at all.  As always things are busy around here too.  Boys wanting breakfast this morning, me getting ready way too late in the day, and yesterday going all over God’s creation from Lemmon Valley to Washoe Valley for canning jars and a projector for my big debut in teaching canning.  On top of that, the monsters/monkeys keep us super busy no matter what day of the week it is.

Lemmon Valley was interesting.  A little sketchy at times but OK.  A place, that in the 6 years we’ve been here, we haven’t been.  Chip went to the door and retrieved the jars.  They.are.old.  Bugs, stuck on lids, boxes barely together and all.  I’ll take it!  Sold!  Especially if free.  Free works for me.

After jars we took an adventure to Washoe Valley which is the complete opposite direction by about 30 minutes.  We jetted 20 minutes to Lemmon Valley and then another 30 minutes to Washoe Valley.  It was kind of cool to do that too.  We haven’t been to Washoe Lake either, other than seeing it on the way to Carson City.  We went to get a projector to attach to my computer for the canning seminar.  The co-op does not have one but has a screen.  The event coordinator had asked me if I could get one and I tried every way to Sunday to find one.  No one would lend me one reasonably and renting was CRAZY expensive.  So on Craigslist I found one.  This thing is a dinosaur but does the job.  Anyway, we went to pick it up at this house basically on Washoe lake.  It was neat.  Gated place.  Drove in and saw this amazing house.  Knocked on the door and it was answered by really nice people who sold us the projector and showed us their views.  The view was simply amazing.  Majestic Nevada mountains and the lake.  They told us they were renting it and getting ready to move in November.  They are moving into a 5th wheel and seeing the US.  After we left when we were back in the car I told Chip that it’s so funny that various people we meet we could be friends with.  It’s random interactions but there is almost no one that we’ve met in Northern Nevada would I want to be friends with.  So I digress…

Fast forward to Sunday when I am working fast and furious to get zucchini chips in the dehydrator and also get the 2nd load of salsa going.  Add breakfast and whatever else.  Whew!  It wasn’t even 10 a.m. when I thought I might just be over the edge.  Then Chip (hubs) and I decide to try connect this projector, a behemoth of a thing, to my laptop.  Oh good lord!  It could have been like attaching the truck to the trailer hitch on our vacation.  Well not quite that bad but a serious effort from both of us while one boy or another was either arguing or needing help.  It was quite the time.  Cables that are super old, no power cable (not a crisis thank god) and trying to get this to work with Windows 8.  Are you laughing your ass off?  I wasn’t but should have been.  Good god.  We did manage to get it.  Knowing that if any cables are loose or if the remote to the projector doesn’t work we’re hosed.

I had, luckily, packed a bunch of jars of things I had already canned to taste which was already boxed up.  Also threw in the normal canning tools I use and my coveted Ball Blue Book of Canning to take to the class.  I seriously had to get my butt in gear.  As usual I was pushing the time to the wire.  10 minutes late, as always, I got out the door.  I hate this about myself.  Why can I not get anywhere without being 10 minutes late?  I’d love to know.  Anyway, I get out the door and to the co-op…yes 10 minutes later than I would like to.  I connect with dude at the cash register and find I’m pretty much on my own.  Cool.  I can do this.  I ask for a tablecloth. paper plates and an extension cord.  All delivered quickly.  Nice.  I set up all of my samples on one side and my tools on the other.  Two come in and then two more.  Than another couple of people and some singles.  Considering there were only four RSVPs I was happy with the eight who joined.

So we get started.  I’m never sure how things look to the people initially because in my head the commentary is reeling.  I have so much to say but don’t want to do verbal vomit.  I want to engage these people.  Make them part of the conversation.  However no one ever tells you if it’s too fast or it sucks unless they are your BFF.  I had none of that.  I feel like it starts to happen.  People ask questions and I answer.  Very nice.  Feels good.  One guy leaves and more questions come.  I love it.  We moved from water canning to pressure canning.  It’s all good.  The flow is awesome.

Since canning, especially water canning, is fairly simple I didn’t have a ton to say to fill 1.5 hours so we got to tasting some of what I brought.  I’m not bragging but those folks enjoyed it.  Makes my heart seriously full.  My salsa was gone.  Jelly opened and tasted with rave reviews.  Habanero sauce was tried by one and wow it’s hot.  Some, like the strawberry banana butter and apple butter were not touched was OK too.  Helps me understand what people are interested in and would like.  I’m thinking (as suspected) that salsa and jam are good things from my kitchen.

The session at the co-op ended with lovely folks asking for my email and me saying that they can join me for canning session.  I am sincere.  I don’t want them to get discouraged, before investing a fair amount of money if, it’s not for you.  Spend an afternoon at my house.  We’ll make a couple of memories, have a few laughs and everyone can go home with a jar or two of food.  At least you will know.  That’s what it’s about!

Happy, happy birthday to our sweet littlest man.  3 years…boy the time flies!  It’s all about Thomas the Train, just as last year.  Later we will celebrate with cake and presents.  Can’t wait to see his little face light up.  One of his favorite episodes on Netflix of Thomas is “Day of the Diesel”.  We told him this morning that it’s “Day of the Carter”.

What a fabulous day!  Carter had an awesome birthday. It’s so funny that his birthday dinner choice (we let them all choose their meal on their birthday) was “noodles and chicken nuggets”.  One would think it would be pizza or something.  Nope, not the Carterbug.  His is is own little man.  Sweet beyond sweet and sharper than a tack.  We did make him eat some fruit too so I felt a little better about it.  Pictures of the celebration to come.  Wish more family near and far could have joined us.  Our FL fam joined in via Skype.  Technology rocks!