Too Many Tomatoes

The day started out slow enough, but there was no time for slow-stitching. We were on a mission to pick up apples and tomatoes for this weekend's extravacanza. (Did you see what I did there?) It made sense to eat breakfast out. We first stopped off at the South Store Cafe, where Sue and I often eat oatmeal before our Friday morning walks.

When we found the line out the door and around the corner, we decided we weren't in the mood for oatmeal and moved along. We first picked up the tomatoes from the farmers...25 pounds of "seconds." They look pretty good to me.

After that, we had our breakfast and then stopped off at the apple orchard for some apples. They had only Gravensteins for their first day of the season, and those will be fine for applesauce. When we got home, I went straight to work canning plain old tomatoes. I only had enough jars for 12 pints, plus a half pint jar for any stragglers. When I was finished, I had 11-1/2 pints, and I was finished for the day.

I'd only used half the tomatoes, and so I guess I'm in for more tomato canning in the next few days. Last year I canned 100 pounds of tomatoes, and I still have quite a bit of pasta sauce and salsa left over to take us through the year. I wasn't planning on doing anything else, but if we need anything, it would be salsa and tomato jam. The plan now is to do a batch of salsa and a batch each of two different tomato jams. That should cover the tomatoes. As for the apples, I'll work on those today. I'm expecting two batches (8 pints) of applesauce from the 15 pounds we got. Let's see if I figured correctly.

While I was waiting for the tomatoes, I traced out the next barn for the Appalachian Memories quilt. This is a take-along project for our upcoming trip. The Sweet Land of Liberty block is kind of small, and I think I'll have it finished before we get back. This barn is my emergency back-up stitchery because running out of slow stitching would be a catastrophe.

Then I colored in the quilt block. This is a bow-tie quilt block, and possibly, I should have colored in the bow-ties a little differently, but it's too late now. It'll look fine when it's stitched up. I was trying to keep it simple.

So now this one is ready to go when I finish Sweet Land of Liberty.

There was enough outdoor activity yesterday we decided to let the kitties out. They only stay out about an hour, and then they're back inside to use their potty box (yes, really), and for some kitty treats. When they come back inside, the door closes behind them. It's fine though because they're ready for naps too. Smitty chose the top of the china cabinet for his nap.

It keeps my tummy furs nice and cool on a warm day.

Where are you going to sleep, Sadie?

Smitty, I purrfur the cozy comfort of the quilts-to-be-quilted pile, and oh, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

While the kitties slept, I took the time to finish up my latest mystery project. It just needs a binding now, and I'll be ready to gift it to my friend.

As long as I'm making up take-along projects, I decided to kit up the yo-yo's for the Sundress quilt Dresden centers. I like the little zippered pouches that come with sheets and pillow-cases for this.

There will be almost no time for sewing before we leave, and so I've decided to save the Dresdens for when we get back. In the meantime, I might have enough time to finish the yo-yo's before I make the blocks.

Also yesterday, I made up these little Lemon Cheesecake Mousse desserts. During canning season, I end up with lots of little open jars in the refrigerator. I happened to have a half jar of lemon curd from the last time I made these. Since I make just half the recipe, I end up with a half jar. It seemed like a good way to reduce the jar population in the refrigerator by simply making another round of desserts.

As I've said before, if you only try one of the many recipes I link to on this blog, you simply must try this one. It is so delicious and light. It's an excellent dessert after a big meal. It's also no cook, but it does dirty a lot of bowls. You can find the recipe right here. Making half the recipe is enough for four people, and so this dessert for two becomes dessert for two for two nights.

This morning I got a start on the Sweet Land of Liberty stitchery.

And this being Sunday, I'll be linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching with Kathy.

Next up, I'll be getting back to my canning. On today's agenda...applesauce, and perhaps one more tomato thing, depending on my energy level. Also, I'm hoping to get the binding on my mystery project. I'd like to put it in tomorrow's mail.