Baby likes Metal

I have a little metal head living inside me. I've never gone out of my way to listen to heavy metal...until now. I can't change it from the metal station, for fear I will miss the awesome sounds of NIN or 5 Finger Death Punch. Seriously - Bad Company is one of the best remakes I have heard in a long time.

So I'm attributing this change in listening preference to the baby. She must really like to rock out, that is the only answer. Don't get me wrong, we still listen to classical when I cook. But in the car - it's the heavy stuff.

Easy Pickled Jalepenos

We have had a really good turnout of jalepenos from the garden, so I decided to pickle them. Tony eats pickled jalepenos on almost everything anyways. This is super easy and they turned out great.

Wash and put your cans and lids into boiling water.

Bring to a boil:
2 C Vinegar
2 C Water
3 crushed garlic cloves

You can slice your jalepenos or leave them whole. Pack your jar as full as possible. Really make it tight - then pour your vinegar mixture over them. Seal the jars and double boil for 10 minutes.

Almost 26 weeks

I feel like I have grown this week. My body is a bit achy too. Maybe the baby is going through a growth spurt!! I am really feeling her more these days and I can't wait for Tony to feel it too! I keep thinking it will happen any day.

Berger's

Last Saturday morning I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking my coffee and listening to NPR just like every good Saturday morning. Then I remembered that I had brought home Berger cookies from Baltimore! As I opened the package the lady that was being interviewed on NPR started talking about how one of her favorite things about Baltimore (the interview was about everything along the I-95 corridor) was Berger cookies!!! Errie coincidence? It just reinforced what a great purchase I made!
What are Berger cookies? They are shortbread with a thick heaping of chocolate on top!! So good!!

There is kind of a funny story behind the purchase of them though - it involves Irene, Baltimore City, a parking cop and Luckies, my favorite old corner shop right by where we used to live. Needless to say I ran out of the store to keep from getting a ticket while Irene stayed inside and bought my cookies and a new toothbrush for me. Then I realized I didn't have enough to pay her back....I'm lucky to have such good friends who forgive so easily and understand that these are the things that happen when you are with me.

Maryland

A couple of weeks ago I went to Maryland for work. Meaning I got to see friends!!! I know, the point of the trip wasn't to socialize, and I did get a lot of work accomplished, but the best part is getting to see people I miss so much. And I was really excited that they got to see Pregnant Melissa.

Here's a picture of Heather, Brooke, and Gary....and soon, very very soon, Baby Mackenzie!

Jesse and Renata

Me and Jen

I always intend to get more pictures - then forget to bring out my camera!!! Visit Jesse's page here for a few more pics.

Pickled Beets

I've done a lot of canning these past few weeks. Bordering burnout....but I just keep trying to think about how much I'll appreciate it this winter.
Here are the pickled beets I made. They came from my garden! My mom and grandma have made these my whole life...but this was my first try. This is their recipe.

First wash and cut most of the stems and most of the roots (but not all - they are going to peel off anyways).

Boil without peeling until the beets are tender (approx 20 mins. You will know when you stick a fork in them). Transfer to cold water, peel, quarter.



Mix the following together to boiling:

2 C. Sugar

2 C. Water

2 C. Vinegar

1 t. cloves

1 t. allspice

2 T. cinnamon

Wash and boil your cans and lids. Pack the beets into jars, pour mixture over the beets. You should probably stick a knife into the side of the jar to get some of the air out. Seal the jars. For this recipe you do not have to double boil.