Canned Amaretto Cranberry Sauce

Dish: canned amaretto cranberry sauce
recipe: pinterest
pajamas: long johns
eaters: The whole family at Thanksgiving

Every year, I am in charge of the bread stuffing and the cranberry sauce at my mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Until I came along, we ate the horrid can shaped, gelatinous, with ridges and all, cranberry sauce. Awhile back I decided to rebel against the cylindrical fruit! We opened it, dished it and threw it away every year. I have tried a new recipe every year. They have all been super tasty and the family actually eats them! This year I used my Pinterest obsession to tackle my job. I found the most delicious looking recipe that used amaretto instead of water. I then found instructions on how to can cranberry sauce. I thought, " This year I learned to knit, cook freshly dead birds- why not can fruit?!?" The cooking part was easy. I boiled amaretto and some lemon zest. I then threw in tons of fresh cranberries. They began to pop open as they cooked (I love that part!) The house smelled wonderful. Once the consistency was right, my big job began. I sterilized my canning jars. I then learned that you had to have a certain top space? 1/4 of an inch was mine. I poured the boiling sauce into the jars and left the top space. I then cleaned the rims and closed the jars. I had water boiling in my big pot. I only have 3 pots so I sure hoped my big pot was big enough. I didn't have the nifty tool that I saw used on all of the youtube videos for placing the jars in the water. I used some tongs. Note to self: buy the tool! I carefully placed the jars in the water. They boiled about 20 minutes. The next part was super scary! I used the tongs to take them out. I heard that if they touch each other or the side of the pot that they would break. I got them all out crack free! I then waited, and waited, and waited for the magical "pop!" Soon each jar popped!! I actually canned fruit! I attribute my success to my inner Amish! I did in fact wear an apron and a bun :)

Trev-o-meter: The whole family raved and said that it was a keeper and that they couldn't wait until next Thanksgiving!

I am so used to being with my husband every second of every day (except for work of course.) Trevor is away on research. I have truly realized the meaning of our vows. We have to be together until death do us part, not until research do us part!! I really can't handle life without Trevor. It all began when I was a baby. My mom stayed at home with me and created the monster known as Brittney. She would only leave me to work out. She would stand me in the gym daycare, with my baby bag, toys, etc. and go workout. Upon her return, an hour or so later, I would be in the exact same position as she left me. She then enrolled me in 3 year old, half day preschool. I cried every single day and every day I was sent to the Principal's office. The principal loved me so much that she took it upon herself to feed the monster. Literally... She would take me to run errands, play with puppies, go shopping, and go out to eat. My mom soon unenrolled me in 3 year old, half day preschool. I later cried every first day of school's eve. I cried every day of summer camp. I cried every day of my sister's first year of college. I cried every day of my first year of college. I cried every night of my 6 month, one bedroom living experience. With all of that said, I have trouble being alone and being away from the one's I love. Trevor, please come home!

City Girl? ha!

Dish: Dove
Recipe: youtube
Meal: dinner
Eaters: Me and Trevor
Pajamas: Plaid pants and gray T

Trevor got a call from Simone to go hunting. He hesitated a bit and I told him to go for it! He left super early in the morning. I didn't hear back from him until the evening. He said he was having so much fun and got a bunch of dove. Up to that point, I had no idea what he was hunting. My only comment was, "DO NOT bring anything dead into this house!" He got home after I was asleep. The next morning when I got up, I opened the fridge to find breakfast. I pulled out this gallon bag... and screamed. It was full of blood and what looked like deer hearts. I stuffed it back in and skipped breakfast. When Trevor woke up, he told me it was dove meat. It was really dark and super bloody (with some feathers floating around. Ugh) He told me that I should cook them. When I was apprehensive, he told me just to throw them out. (he of little faith) I knew this was a test! I got on youtube, determined to prove to Trevor that I was not just a whimpy city girl. I typed in how to cook dove. I clicked on the first video. Immediately this guy had a newly shot dove and started ripping it apart. I didn't want to hear it so I started screaming. I couldn't turn it off because I would have to look at the screen. I spent the next 6 1/2 minutes with my hands over my eyes while going lalalala. The next video was great! They started at the meat part. I learned that I had to detach the meat from the bone and then cook them allot like a steak. I could totally do it! I poured the blood down the sink and only gagged twice. I then speared one with a knife and worked up the courage to touch it. I then had to use my thumbs to work it off the chest plate. I swear I heard a few chirps. Every time it would chirp, I would drop it in the sink and run a lap around the kitchen. I finally got most of the breasts off the bones. One of them had this psychedelic tendon inside it and it made me lose my breath it was so gross. I didn't know what to do with that thing so I threw the whole thing away?? I then put a cream cheese stuffed jalapeno on the breast and wrapped it up in bacon. I put a skewer in the middle and wallah, they were prepared. I grilled them a few minutes on each side. I made some hash browns, corn and stuffed jalapenos for side dishes. Trevor was so impressed. I was super proud of myself. I will be honest, I really didn't think I could do it! We each tried them and they were wonderful. They tasted totally different than anything I've eaten before. Dove meat is like a mix between poultry and beef. It doesn't have any gaminess. I loved it. Trevor told me that they tasted as good or better than any he had tasted before! I am so proud of myself and I can totally hang with those Wyoming or Colorado girls!!

Beauty

I have a pencil sketch of the beautiful Marilyn Monroe in my closet. It is one of the best decorations in my house! What a perfect and normal body role model. 5'5'' and 120-140 pounds. Current size 8, yet thought of as one of the most beautiful women. Why are models now a size 2?

Our Secret Garden

Trevor has taken up gardening in the last year. When we bought our little yellow house, the yard was definitely a "fixer upper!" There was not a blade of Bermuda grass. It was entirely taken over by weeds and crab grass. There were 4 diseased rose bushes in need of lots of care. The one positive was the trees. We have a very established Bradford pear and 4 nice oaks. Our first summer was very busy with the wedding and honeymoon and Trevor's trip to England. He really started his new hobby this spring. He has spent countless hours on his hands and knees pulling crab grass, digging up unknown scrubby plants and bushes, and shopping at Home Depot. He is known by name in the garden department. I am so happy to report that the yard is almost completely crab grass free. We have the best and greenest yard on our street! We were even nominated for Plum Creek Yard of the Month! I have posted a few pictures from the past few months. I am amazed at the transformation and I can't wait to see it in another year! Trevor says the garden is a gift for me... Thank you Trevor from the bottom of my heart!


We have 4 new hibiscus plants. They literally grow like weeds. The flowers are gigantic and seem to bloom almost every day!

The rose on the left is a heritage rose from the Natural Gardener. The floating blooms are from our new Gardenia. They smell so amazing. They smell like my childhood! :)

Our Bradford Pear tree has grown so much over the past year. The picture on the left is of the special week in March when it blooms.

The 2 red rose bushes were at the house originally. When we moved in, they had black spot and were a tenth of the size they are now. The Yellow climbing bush is one of my favorites. It would not be good if you are afraid of bees.

These pictures are of the same rose bush at different times. The color changes throughout the season. It goes from almost all pink to yellow with pink tips to purely yellow.

We have one purple rose bush, one yellow and countless pink and red!