Bountiful Baskets Food Co-Op

Before I get started with this post, I just wanted to state that I'm not getting compensated in any way for writing this little blurb about Bountiful Baskets.  I am just a huge fan and wanted to pass on some useful info to you, my lovely readers.  :-)

What is Bountiful Baskets?  The website describes it as this:

About Bountiful Baskets Co-op

Bountiful Baskets is not a business. It is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit.

Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op is constantly growing to reach new areas as people want to have a site close to their home. They train with an existing Volunteer Site Coordinator and then go open the new site. We run at least every two weeks at each site.  Some sites run weekly.  We are completely volunteer-run and make no profit.  Please see our locations page for a complete listing of current sites as well as which week they run.

This is a Co-op

This is a grass roots, all volunteer, no contracts, no catch co-operative. Without volunteers this co-op wouldn’t happen, so you will need to help as you are able. There are many opportunities to help!

So basically what happens is that I log into my Bountiful Baskets account at 10AM on Monday morning and put $15 towards a basket of fruit and veggies.  I look for things that I may add on to my basket as well.  This time around I opted for the "Harvest Pack add-on" for an additional $16.

The following Saturday morning at 7AM, I am standing in line with an empty laundry basket with around 50 other people.  One at a time we show our contribution numbers, initial a box, and are led to our produce by volunteers.  I load up my laundry basket and haul it back to my car.  That's it!

Sometimes on Saturday mornings, I show up at 5AM and volunteer to unload the truck and distribute the produce.  It's fun to meet new people, exchange recipes, and get a little exercise.  I'm pooped by the end of the day, but it's always worth it. 

 You never really know what you're going get in your basket.  And that's part of the fun for me.  I ended up with a ton of grapes and was fearful that they would go bad before we could eat them.  But having two grape-loving kids with grape-loving friends really helped, and there was no waste.  The fruit not eaten is usually dehydrated to use as snacks or added to oatmeal at breakfast.  Sometimes I make a batch of jelly.  The grapes would have made a nice jelly if the kids hadn't devoured them.  

The Seckel pears were new to me.  Those tiny little things were so sweet and juicy though--perfect for snacks and lunchboxes.  In previous baskets I've ended up with 9 onions, or 2 stalks of celery--way more than we could ever eat.  I simply freeze or dehydrate what I can't use right away and it all works out.  the only thing that doesn't work well with is lettuce.  I prefer spinach and romaine for my salads and the leaf lettuce I get from Bountiful Baskets is hard to use up.  But you can't get everything you want, right?

From this basket, I made a huge batch of potato soup that we enjoyed for a few days.  Then, I divided up the leftovers into meal-sized portions and froze them for future dinners.  I love to cook, but not every night.  Some nights, it's nice to simply thaw out dinner in the microwave and serve it with toast.

   I love the Harvest Pack add-on I received!  Though for once I didn't have a recipe already planned for it.  I made a nice little fall-themed display in my living room.  The larger pie pumpkins will be Thanksgiving pies, but that's not for another month.  In the meantime, they can look pretty on my table.

I know I have a number of readers from outside the US, so I'm sure you don't have a Bountiful Baskets near you.  Perhaps you have something else though?  Have any of you any experience with food co-op?

If you are in the US and want to find out if there is Bountiful Baskets pick-up near you go HERE.  If you don't have one near you, you could always start your own by looking at the info HERE.

Happy Harvest and bug hugs from Montana,

Designer Handbag Cupcakes

I found these little sweeties on pinterest which brought me to this post.  The folks who make them can be found at Made Fresh Daily Cakes.  This is a business out of Atlanta, GA.  They deliver if you're interested!

They are just too precious not to share!  Can you even believe the detail?????  Incredible!!!

They are $18 each and you must buy a minimum of 6.  I don't if I could bring myself to eat one as they are so cool to look at.  Maybe one of you talented folks out here can teach me how to make these out of polymer clay?  

Big hugs from Montana,

Time for tomato....jam!

It has been an extra long wait this year, but tomatoes in Montana are FINALLY starting to ripen up.  I planted 5 varieties this year.  There are tiny cherry tomatoes, the yellow ones are called lemon boys, the dark burgundy ones are an heirloom variety, and the red ones are romas and sweet 100s.  I thought I'd be up to my elbows in toms by the time school started for the kids, but they are holding on to their greenness like they're afraid to be canned. 

I eventually amassed enough to make a small batch of tomato jam last night.  If you are like most tomato jam virgins, you think putting the words tomato and jam in the same edible concoction is a bad idea.  Well, I was once in that same frame of mind until I stepped outside my box and gave it a try.  Now tomato jam is not your run of the mill spread-on-toast type of jam.  In fact, I wouldn't even consider pairing it with peanut butter.  Tomato jam is bit more in the chutney family of sweet condiments.  It is superb poured over brie or cream cheese.  It is very yummy used as a glaze over roasted chicken or as dip for chicken nuggets.  I love to put it in turkey sandwiches, but the absolute best is to pair it with colby jack in a grilled cheese sandwich.  Mmmmmm-mmm!  That's what I had for lunch today. . . and probably for lunch the next several days!

here's my disclaimer:

Canning and food preservation are culinary arts that require specific parameters to be met in order to eliminate the possibility of food poisoning.  In this post I'm going to show you the general process of making and canning jam.   Hopefully I can give you folks who have never canned an idea of what goes on so you won't be so intimidated to try it yourself.  The most important thing to remember when canning is that canning recipes are NOT open to interpretation.  You must follow them exactly without adding, subtracting, or substituting ingredients.  Botulism may good for wrinkles, but you certainly don't want to have it growing on your canned goods. 

Jams are made using the "water bath" method of canning. Basically that means adding your jars of jams to a huge pot of water, and boiling the water until a vacuum has been created inside the jars and the lids are sealed. For foods that must be processed at high temps, you use a pressure cooker and and the power and heat of steam for canning.  This picture shows the ingredients and tools I used to make my jam. sterilized jars with lids and rings a wide-mouthed funnel jar tongs a huge canning pot ripe tomatoes bottled lemon juice dried lemon peel super fine sugar fresh basil

This first step was to wash the toms and remove the stems and any skin blemishes.  My jam recipe calls for leaving the skins and seeds with the fruit.  This really does improve the texture of the jam.  Then I mixed in a lot of sugar and let it sit for a while to give the toms time to release some excess water.  I added some bottled lemon juice to increase the acidity of the jam and set it on the stove to boil uncovered for a couple hours. 

The top left pic is what the toms looked like when I first turned on the heat.  The top right pic is what they looked like after a couple hours of boiling.  Boiling causes much of the water to evaporate and decreases the volume of fruit significantly.   My guesstimate is that I reduced my tomatoes by at least 65%. 

If you are puzzled by the pics of the dirty plates, I have an explanation.  To determine if my fruit has boiled enough to become jam, I use the "plate test".  I put a few saucers in the freezer and let them get nice and icy cold.  When I want to see how far along my jam has progressed, I pull out a saucer and drop a spoonful of juice onto it.  The cold plate cools the juice quickly and I can see how much "jamification" has taken place.  On the left plate, I saw that my jam has progressed to the "syrup" stage, becoming a bit thicker, but definitely not spreadable jam yet.  The next plate shows what my jam looked like when I proclaimed it "done".  There was really no "juice" left, only thick and sticky, lovely jammy goodness.

While it was piping hot, I added dried lemon peel and fresh chopped basil.  Awww, the smell of fresh basil!  Then it was time to add the jam to jars, add the lids and rings, and place them in a water bath.  It took a long time for that huge pot to come to a rapid boil.  When it finally did, I set my timer and waited for the jars to "process". 

From what I understand, the heat of the water super heats the contents of the jar, killing any dangerous bacteria and forcing the air inside the jar to expand.  The expanded air escapes through the lid and bubbles out into the water, thus creating a vacuum inside each jar.  When I removed the jars from their bath, I could hear the affirming "pop" of each lid creating an airtight seal as it hit the much cooler outside air.  When the jars are cool enough to handle, I removed the rings and turned them all upside down.  If any seals were imperfect, I could see the jam leaking out of the jar.  

Grilled cheese and tomato jam sandwich.  My favorite!

This batch yielded only 4 half-pint jars of jam.  I doubt they'll last until Thanksgiving!  The recipe I used was inspired by this one from a reputable blog called Food in Jars.  I hope you've been inspired to try some tomato jam the next time you run across it.  I am always looking for new ways to can and preserve tomatoes, so please let me know if you have a great recipe.

I hope all you sewing fans out there will forgive me for straying from my usual purse-making posts.  I have been attempting to better my photography skills, and this jammy post is an extension of that exercise.  Photographing food is very difficult.  Kudos to all you cooking-bloggers out there! 

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Thanks to Kelly for featuring this post!  Check out her blog and giver her some love:

P.S.  Please check out the Retro Pillow Challenge that I am co-hosting with Keren from sew la vie!

stay-tuned for a lesson in making a purse out of woven paper:

I'm linking up to many of these lovely parties:

THE LOVELY LINKY LIST

-----------MONDAY-----------	-----------MONDAY-----------
http://www.skiptomylou.org/ http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/ http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/ http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/ http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ http://sewcando.blogspot.com/ http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/ http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ http://untilwednesdaycalls.blogspot.com/ http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ http://madincrafts.blogspot.com/ http://becolorful.typepad.com/becolorful/ http://memakingdo.blogspot.com/ http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/ http://jembellish.blogspot.com/ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/	http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/ http://coloursdekor.blogspot.com/ http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/ http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/ http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/ http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/ http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/ http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/ http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/ http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/p/eat-grow-sew.html http://www.thegirlcreative.com/ http://www.beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/ http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ http://preschoolteacher81.blogspot.com/2011/08/motivational-monday.html
----------TUESDAY----------	----------TUESDAY----------
http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/ http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/ http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com/ http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/ http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com/ http://imtopsyturvy.com/ http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/ http://mycraftielife.blogspot.com/ http://vintagewannabee.blogspot.com/ http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/ http://www.notjustahousewife.net/ http://ladybug-blessings.com/	http://sassysites.blogspot.com/ http://angieasplund.blogspot.com/ http://www.tipjunkie.com/ http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/ http://littlebirdiebaby.blogspot.com/ http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/ http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/ http://www.cherishedbliss.com/ http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/ http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/ http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/ http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/ http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/
-------WEDNESDAY--------	-------WEDNESDAY--------
http://crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com/ http://www.domestically-speaking.com/ http://www.creationsbykara.com/ http://733blog.blogspot.com/ http://www.bargainshoppingparadise.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/ http://www.mybackyardeden.com/ http://wearethatfamily.com/ http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/ http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/	http://www.lilluna.com/ http://twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/ http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/ http://oliviarenn.blogspot.com/ http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/ http://www.etsymadness.com/ http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/ http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/ http://www.womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/ http://www.popartminisworld.com/ http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/ http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/ http://day2dayjoys.blogspot.com/
--------THURSDAY--------	--------THURSDAY--------
http://www.suzyssitcom.com/ http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/ http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/ http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ http://733blog.blogspot.com/ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ http://lbratina.blogspot.com/ http://www.thevirginiahouse.blogspot.com/ http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/ http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/ http://www.frugaliciousme.com/	http://savedbylovecreations.com/ http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ http://bornagaincrafter.blogspot.com/ http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/ http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ http://christinasadventures.com/ http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/ http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/ http://www.frugaliciousme.com/ http://www.thequiltladies.com/ http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/ http://mineforthemaking.blogspot.com/
----------FRIDAY-----------	----------FRIDAY-----------
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ http://romantichome.blogspot.com/ http://litandlaundry.blogspot.com/ http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/ http://tidymom.net/im-lovin-it-fridays/ http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/ http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/ http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/ http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/ http://thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com/ http://punkinseedproductions.blogspot.com/ http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/ http://www.remodelaholic.com/ http://amysfinerthings.com/ http://www.alittleknickknack.com/ http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/ http://iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/	http://trulylovelywiththelaneysisters.blogspot.com/ http://www.simplysweethome.com/ http://sassysites.blogspot.com/ http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/ http://thespeckleddog.blogspot.com/ http://www.504main.com/ http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/ http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/ http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/ http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/ http://naptimecrafters.blogspot.com/ http://www.theinspiredhousewife.com/2011/03/change-your-world-fridays/ http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/ http://bestpartofbelieveis.blogspot.com/ http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ http://smilemonsters.blogspot.com/ http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/ http://www.happyhourprojects.com/search/label/Freestyle%20Friday
--------SATURDAY--------	--------SATURDAY--------
http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/ http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/ http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/ http://www.whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com/ http://thecreativecrate.blogspot.com/ http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/	http://muralmaker1.blogspot.com/ http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/ http://kimskandykreations.blogspot.com/2011/02/shindig-saturday-party-blog-hop.html http://nikkisniknacks.blogspot.com/ http://www.annemariesbreiblog.blogspot.com/
----------SUNDAY----------	----------SUNDAY----------
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ http://www.creativejewishmom.com/ http://lambaround.blogspot.com/ http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com/ http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/	http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/p/eat-grow-sew.html http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ http://preschoolteacher81.blogspot.com/2011/08/storytime-sunday_21.html

I retrieved most of these links here:http://www.suzyssitcom.com/p/links.htmlLet me know if you don't see your blog's linky party listed.I made the table using this easy tutorial:http://www.sewlavie.com/2011/08/how-to-put-pictures-or-buttons-side-by.html 

Bunco Recipes!

I don't want to turn this blog into a recipe/cooking blog, but I'm feeling compelled to share this good recipe I made up tonight.   I've been working overtime getting ready for the Retro Pillow Challenge and spending too much time on the 'puter.  So it was a good thing that I had bunco tonight to get me out of the house and reacquainted with the world!  At around 5PM, I start getting ready.  Bunco starts at 6:30PM.  Plenty of time, right?  Not when you have to bring food!  Ooops!  I totally spaced that I needed to make something.  So, I threw this together:

I forgot to take a photo, but this looks exactly
like what I made.  And posts w/o pics are
no-nos in blogland.  [source]

Cinnamon Toast Popcorn

1 big bowl of popcorn
1/4 cup of melted butter
1/4 cup of Splenda ('cause it's not sticky)
1/2 tsp salt
4-5 big dashes of cinnamon

I nuked the butter and dissolved the Splenda and salt in it.  I poured it over the popcorn and tossed it real well.  I sprinkled on the cinnamon and tossed it again.  Then, I took it to bunco and ate a lot of it!  It has that sweet and salty flavor we all crave when it comes to munch food.

I tried a very good and different dip at bunco and here's the recipe for that.

Again, this pic is just
a look-alike.  [source]

Mexican Corn Dip
2 packages of cream cheese
1 stick of butter
2 cans of drained shoe peg corn
1 can of Rotel
chili powder to taste

Mix it all together and heat it up in a crock pot or microwave. 

P.S.  Please check out the Retro Pillow Challenge.  I made a snazzy button for it up on my sidebar.  You can sport one too, if you like.  Read all about it here.