So I made tomato jam.
We had some unripe apples fall from the tree removed by some creature and left out in the backyard dirt. Some had holes pecked in them or bites taken out of them. This is the first year we've actually had apples, so we didn't want to waste them. I took what was left of the apples, peeled them, cut out the bad parts and added them to a recipe of tomato jam using some tomatoes I had in the freezer, just waiting for me to decide it was time to make some.
I had the recipe on my iPad. I have several tomato jam recipies, but this is the recipe I like best, because it uses honey instead of sugar.
I washed the number of jars I thought I might need. I had over three pounds of tomatoes and then about 12 ounces of apples, so I had to adjust the recipe, because I wanted to use it all. The recipe makes two pints, so I figured I could get close to three. I got four jars ready, just in case. (My new ingredient amounts are on the blue Post-It note on the counter. Some math was involved.)
The first thing I did was get the apples ready. Then I boiled some water and dropped the frozen tomatoes in, one at a time, so I could get the skins off. After a few seconds, I then turned the over for a few more seconds on the other side. Then the skins came off easily. I chopped the tomatoes and put all the ingredients in the pot I had used to blanch the tomatoes. I brought it to a boil and then turned it down so it was just barely boiling.
The apples stayed in chunks as it boiled, but I wanted them to disappear into the jam, so when they were soft, I used an immersion blender to blend them in with the tomatoes. Then it continued to boil. I think it took about 1 1/4 hours for the mixture to thicken sufficiently.
The jam turned out great. I ended up with almost three pints (see opening photo).
That was Thursday of another very busy week. I made a batch of granola earlier in the week. (No photos from that.)
Monday we began the process of xeriscaping our front yard. Charlie had made a fairly complete diagram to show prospective landscapers for the purpose of getting estimates.
We selected the landscaper based not just on the estimates, but also based on suggestions the candidates offered, how responsive they were to our queries and how quickly they returned our phone calls. We thought we would be doing this the first or second week of September, but Ryan, the landscaper we picked, had a cancellation for most of this past week, so he offered to start early. He had other jobs during the week, and Friday he was unavailable.
The first thing they did was dig up the existing sod. They used a machine to break it up into squares, and then pulled up the chunks with a pitchfork. Then the top layer of soil was also removed down several inches.
Some rocks and other debris turned up while they were doing this. Some of the larger ones we can use.
We already had three boulders around the fir tree in front. They were probably placed decoratively when the fir tree was much smaller. Charlie wanted them moved away from the tree several feet. This piece of equipment is a skid loader with tracks instead of wheels. (I had to ask.) Ryan used it to move the boulders, once the sod and dirt had been removed.
He couldn't lift the bigger boulder very high off the ground, because it was so heavy it made the back of the fork lift tip up, but he figured out how to get the boulder to the spot Charlie directed and got it placed without mishap. Then he did the same with the other boulder, which is slightly smaller.
Next the team put down the edging to keep rocks, gravel and mulch separated.
We had to have the whole irrigation system reworked. The plan was to have a drip system installed to provide water to the various plants in the yard instead of the big sprinkler heads that sprayed water across a lawn. In addition, the tubes that carry the water needed to be configured differently. Ryan had another team for that. They came on Wednesday, when all the sod and dirt we didn't need had been removed.
The existing irrigation arrangement was a little different from what was on Charlie's diagram, but they worked it all out.
We will have plants on mounds in each part of the yard, plus the existing "flower bed" under the window. They will need water, but not anything like the grass we once had. We're spending a lot of money on landscaping so we don't have to spend as much on water. Charlie won't have to mow the dandelions anymore, either. At least not in the front.
When the tubes were all configured correctly for what we planned, the irrigation team tested the system, and found and corrected leaks. (There are always leaks; that's why you test the system.)
While they were working on the new watering plan, Ryan and one of his men put river rock along the edges of the RV drive. This will protect the edges of the asphalt, and allow water to drain off when it rains.
We had chosen gravel in "Aspen," a golden beige color, and that came next.
The men filled in the area between the RV drive river rock and the beds next to the house with the gravel, except where the irrigation team was still working.
On Thursday, while I was making the tomato jam, Ryan brought in new dirt for the planting areas.
Our plan included putting our old bench in a spot that's shaded most of the day. When this renovation is finished, we can sit here with a glass of wine and relax. The feet of the bench are on blocks, so they don't sink into the decomposed granite that will cover the ground in that area and the walkway to the existing concrete walk. Ryan will be back today.
The neighbors have been watching.
Thursday night, about 10:00, we went out into the street to see the blood moon. It's a type of eclipse. I got this photo, but it isn't great. I needed a tripod to hold the phone steady, because of the slow shutter speed for photos taken mostly in the dark, but the one I have is too small, so this is what I got just holding the phone in my hands.
The Portland grandchildren went to a back-to-school night Thursday. Soren and Johan will be in the same school again this year. Johan and his friend are looking at some engines, which they will presumably be learning about. (Johan's friend has a face, but I blurred it in this photo, because he isn't a family member.)
I have a lot of difficulty responding to comments to my blog posts because of technical issues beyond my control (my lack of understanding of how things work). Message me on Facebook, Ravelry, BlueSky or Spoutible if you need information.
What's in The Doll's Storybook: The dolls are wondering what causes the seasons to change. Mandy, of course, can explain in It's Spring!
<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7365001/?claim=kkvctsdtf4n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
