Tomato Jam???

Yep, you read it right.  Jam.  As in a derivative of jelly.  Out of tomatoes.  Not kidding.

So stick with me here.  

Sweet Sarah and I had dinner at our local Peachtree Tavern the other night.  And in sweet, southern fashion they were serving seasonal fried green tomatoes.  They were heavenly.  Cooked perfectly, just like my grandma used to make.  But what really put these babies over the top?  A dollop of tomato jam.  

I had never had tomato jam before, so I was curious as to what type of flavor it would have.  It was the perfect mix of sweet and savory.  I knew I needed to figure out how to make this goodness.

After a little research and reviewing of recipes, I learned that this jam is best made with season ending tomatoes.  Once I found a recipe, down to the farmers market we went to buy some tomatoes.  

I used this recipe which I found on Pinterest.  

http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/2013/10/10/sweet-and-tangy-tomato-jam/

We have been finding all kind of uses for it.  Grilled cheese, apple tomato jam sandwiches.  Pulled pork sandwiches.  I even made little danishes.  Crescent rolls from the pack, a schmear of tomato jam and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Delish!

It's Fall Y'all!

That's right!  Fall at The Drayer means many, many things.  First and foremost, all things pumpkin.  And I do mean ALL things!  Cookies, waffles, pancakes,.....wait for it, wait for it......english muffins!  OHMYLANTA!!!  Have you all been as blessed as us to discover these seasonal little rounds of bread heaven?  Well, if you haven't don't go looking for them.  It only means more for me!

Anywho, back to fall.  The cool, crisp, air immediately brings on my nesting instinct.  And given the fact that nearly every third night this summer has felt like a fall evening, it's amazing I haven't burned through a case of harvest spice candles.  Who's with me on this one?

So the nesting thing?  It's serious.  It immediately requires that I change out all chajtkes in the house.  Goodbye all things summer, zesty, happy, sunshiney, bust-me-up-outta-this-house-been-cooped-up-all-winter so I must put out gerbera daisies and vibrant color garb that inspires me to garden.  No hard feelings, but it's time to GO!

It's like a Miracle Mile Christmas Display window change out around here.  There's planning and designing.  No two years can be the same.  There's perusing and sifering on design and style.  One minute it's summer in here, the next minute The Drayer is seven layers of Harvest Paradise.  Up from the cellar basement come the totes of packed away knickety knacks that make you want hot cider and the urge to dunk your head in a bucket of water to come up with an apple.  What?  No?  You don't feel like that when you see fall leaves, smell apple goodness-ey candles?  That's just me?  Whatever.  Just whatever.  

Ok, back to the nesting thing.  Pretty much you can also bet the farm that fall requires me to take on some sort of new craft.   Sometimes these are nice and easy, slap some hot glue on a dried flower, tie a bow on it, call it a day projects.  Other times....well "Woe unto those that reside at The Drayer!"  Sometimes, shall we say, I might get a little over the top.  [typically, this type of craft tend to comes around Christmas and revolves around the annual Sister Christmas Craft.  Or as my brothers-in-law lovingly refer to it "Christmas Crap".   A post for another day, but let's just sum it up with it's all about the competition].

And what did this year's creative juices bring forth, you ask?  Nothing to crazy or creative, but I'm pleased nonetheless.  Basically, I reproduced an idea I snarfed off Pinterest.  I had everything on hand so it was easy peazy and not one single breathing being steered clear of the creative aura I was exuding.  [happy thoughts this year!]

I've had this Ikea easel gathering dust in the basment since our wedding reception.  [Yes, I inherited a gene from my grandmother that requires me to keep anything, and I DO mean anything, that might result in an opportunity to use it creatively in a craft.  My grandma used to keep the stryofoam tray from her hamburger meat.  And guess who learned how to sew on those trays?  Yep, yours truly.  Mom, that may explain my really, really incompetent sewing skills!  Epiphany!!!!  But those trays also came in really handy as paint trays.]  I digress.  

Said easel.  

I decided to chop off the legs to use the chalkboard over the mantel.  [Sweet Sarah would insist that SHE chopped off the legs using the compound miter saw.  She LOVES that thing.  Of course, who doesn't?] 

Here it is with no legs and the first seasoning treatment.  I had forgotten how messy chalk is!  After two seasonings it was a fairly decent chalk board.

Then I chalked this.  

It turned out pretty cute.  But when I put it on the mantel against our yellow walls the frame looked awful.  Sweet Sarah suggested I paint it gray.  So down to the Michael's store I went.  And by Michael's store I mean the basement where there may or may not be enough crafting materials and chajtkes to outfit a store.  

Ahem.  

I didn't have gray, but a quick mixing of what I had on hand and Voila!  Gray-ish.

Here's the finished mantel.  Looks cute and I'm excited to have this handy little chalkboard to use after fall too!

Gotta go!  Chocolate chip Pumpkin Cookies in the oven!!

Random Thoughts

Ok, here we go......in no particular order.

11.  Today in the restaurant bathroom a grandmother was cheering on her grandson for peeing in the potty.  I think we should all cheer each other on when we are in there.  I mean a little "atta girl" every once in a while, might not be a bad thing for the world.  

d.  Is the no white after Labor Day rule still in effect?  I mean, I would seriously be the last person to know.  But it seems like there are no rules any more.  Am I right on this?  [Mom?!  Settle down, I am NOT wearing white while I'm typing this.  Sheesh.  Settle.  Down.]

3.  Here's a little insight as to what went through my mind while I was sitting across the table from someone who was droning on and on......see if you can keep up.  

Yes, ummm hmmmm.  yep.  You know your hair would look better if you cut it a little tighter around your temples.  It wouldn't look so much like your  mom did it on the cheap.  Cheap.  That reminds me, I should run across the street to TJMaxx for the bows I need to buy for the gifts in my car.  Man, I hate gift wrapping.  Yep, yes.  Nod your head Holly.  Ohmygoodness, I have an ice cream headache.  Why did I drink that smoothie so fast?!  I need to tell Sarah we should make more smoothies.  While I'm at TJMaxx I want to look for a chair.  Well, two chairs really.  Two of the same chairs. Yes, I think that would look good in the front room.  But they need a small footprint because there's not a lot of room for them.  But they need to sit big.  I mean, no one wants to squeeze into a chair after a nice dinner.  That's miserable.  Oh Gosh!  Man, I'm sore.  Holy cow how I hate you burpees from yesterday.  Hate.  Yes, hate.  I wish I had a napkin.  I could wipe up this condensation off of my cup.  It's hot in here.  And I'm never hot.  Say that again.  [oh gosh, I missed his question!]  

j.  Let's just say it....it's a BEAUTIFUL Fall.  Wowza the colors are amazing.  

72nd.  So I finally caught up on Parenthood.  That STUPID, AWFUL SHOW!!!  Makes me cry every time I watch it.  It's SO good.  But I'm pretty sure you have to come from a family of, at minimum, three siblings.  The constant jabber and verbal sparring and overtalk drives Sweet Sarah crazy.  I, on the other hand, think it's spot on.  Anyway, stupid show makes me cry.

a.  Speaking of TV shows, I will admit it [though I feel like I've confessed this before on ye ol' blog] I still watch Grey's.  Yep.  I'm a sucker for it.  And if ER were still on, I'd probably be contributing to their Neilsen ratings too.  

6.  Because.  SIX!

f.  Does anyone but me wonder whether the flavor of the month __________ health awareness thing will reach a breaking point?  I mean how many different colors of chartreuse, aubergine, bordeaux and mustard ribbons can Joann's produce?  Don't get me wrong, it's important to raise awareness AND money for good causes but why slam ALL of them into the month of October???

fifty-one.  I hope when I'm old and retired I have a morning coffee clutch group.  It's the ultimate sign of community really.  

That is all.

She's so much more

So today is this beautiful woman's birthday.

She's my oldest sister.  Six years separate the two of us.  And thirty years ago it felt more like a separation of 15 years.  While she was in high school doing her cheerleading and track thing, driving The Booger [a tank of a car handed down by my grandparents and lovingly dubbed with its nickname because of it's attractive 1970's color], I was worried about figuring out how to spend my quarter at United Dairy.  Two boxes of Boston Baked Beans or a box of Boston Baked Beans and box of Lemon Heads.  When she went to college, I was only excited because it meant I got my own room [looking back, that probably wasn't a very kind thing to do].  And when she got married, bless her heart for having her 15 year old sister as a bridesmaid.

We were worlds apart.

Thank goodness for time....and her grace.  Lord, thank you for her grace.  She has forgiven and overlooked and forgotten my screw ups more than any one sister should.

Now, we are told there's no mistaking....we are sisters!  For heaven's sakes, she doesn't pass up an opportunity to make people guess who is older [yes, she often wins].

Yep, we are sisters.  People tell us we are so much alike.  We laugh the same.  We can finish each other's sentences.  Her kids confuse our voices if they're not paying attention.  And I've lost count of the number of times we've shown up dressed in similar outfits.

There's no doubt we are sisters.

But let's be clear.

She's not like me.

Oh no.

She's so much more.....

She's unbelievably patient with our family.  All of its nuanced, quirky and strange family ways and she rolls with it.

She's the connector.   "Have you talked to mom?"  "Have you talked to Amy?"  "Have you talked to Holly?"  "Have you talked to Grandma?"

She's has an innate ability to read people.

She's a wonderful leader and has the ability to build trust with others.

She's brave.  She's incredibly, incredibly brave.  Not once, but twice, this once shy, bashful and quiet sister went out on a limb and changed the trajectory of her entire career.  First, she launched herself into a very successful sales career.  And now, she is preparing to launch her own business.  So many others, would have folded their cards.  Brace yourselves Northwest Ohio, she's going to be a ROCK STAR!

She gets me.  When you can finish your thought with, "well, you know what I mean.  I mean, I don't know what I mean, but you do" and she replies, "yeah, I get it.".  Well, she gets me.  And that, right here, well that's priceless.

She's more sensitive and empathetic [I know, I know.  I can hear all of you now.  "Well, that's not hard!"  Exactly!  But here's where YOU should give thanks.  Because if it weren't for her empathy and influence on me....well, let's just say you probably would've ditched me years ago as a friend.]

She's an amazing mother and a devoted wife.  Completely selfless.  She and Bruce have raised two amazing young adults.  

Oh, my sister Julie is so much more.  I could go on and on.  If you haven't met her, you really should. And if you already know her, well say a little prayer of thanks for her today.

Julie, you've taught me so much about leadership and courage, love and marriage, crucial conversations, trusting your gut and always, always reminding me blood is thicker than water.

I'm so wonderfully blessed by our sisterhood.

May this next year be full of rich relationships, enough trials to make your grow, sweet successes to keep you reaching, and the support of all of us who love you to keep putting one foot in front of the other.