Organizing my Apartment

Update on Closet space

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:20:44 GMT

I managed to get rid of 215 tall trashbags full of hobbies & fabric and plastic canvas I no longer have time for into the trash dumpster last year & beginning of this year including 2 bags of baby dolls & stuffed animals. I am in need of some help, I don't want to get rid of any of my yarn, because they were so expensive in the first place when I purchased them and I have all kinds of colors imagineable into these rubbermaid containers. Roughly, I have 31 of these containers and I started making baby afghans, teddy bears for our local hospital & started doing Angel for Hope and I was wondering besides sell, trade or give away my yarn is there anyone having twins? I could make your twins an set of outfit for that special twins or anyone who just had twins or if anyone that is a single mother with a baby or child who can't buy clothes for your baby or child? Is there anyone out there that could use baby or child(ren) clothes that are homemade?

Grandma's Grape Jelly

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:21:45 GMT

Grape Jelly
Makes: about 7 (1-cup) jars
or 112 servings, 1 Tbsp. each

4 cups prepared juice (buy about 3 lb. fully ripe Concord or other loose-skinned grapes)*
1/2 cup water
7 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine (optional)
1 pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin

BRING boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.

STEM and crush grapes thoroughly, one layer at a time. Place in saucepan. Add water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place 3 layers of damp cheesecloth or jelly bag in large bowl. Pour prepared fruit into cheesecloth. Tie cheesecloth closed; hang and let drip into bowl until dripping stops. Press gently. Measure exactly 4 cups juice into 6- or 8-quart saucepot.

STIR sugar into juice in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming, if desired. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.

Immediately put into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

*If using wild grapes, Malaga or other tight-skinned grapes, decrease prepared juice to 3 1/2 cups and add 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Concord grapes give best color and flavor.

My Apartment

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:53:12 GMT

In my walk in closet, Its a mess! I have tried to organized it and its stacked everywhere. I have 4 shelves which 1 is for my winter clothes and its packed on that shelve, 2nd shelve has 3 box cubes filled with fabric pieces, and some books(not crafts), my drawing items, drawing paper and colored pencils and drawing pencils, than the other a family member who is no longer living with me put 3 boxes up high which I can't reach and the other shelve has all my craft books and on the floor is 7 rubbermaid containers full of yarn, not to mention what I have in the other room and coat closet which I took off the door. Stuff on my kitchen table high up and else where. I don't know what to do with all this stuff. I threw out 65 trash bags and did alot of freecycling. I'm just overwelmed on the stuff I have. HELP SOMEONE?