Sunday, September 22, 2013

Garden, Hot Pepper Jelly, & Goodbye to Man's Best Friend


 

My beans are doing very well, for only being in the ground from seed three weeks.   I have several flowers, and soon will have beans……hopefully before it starts getting too cool here in Oklahoma.

We have a couple more Japanese eggplants getting ready for harvest in about a week. 

The peas are a little larger, still no indication of potential blooms. 

There were a few days where we received some good rain, and a slight cold front roll through.  Temperatures at night are now dipping down into the 50’s.
*****

My husband, Bulldog Man, came home with a bag full of jalapenos from one of his friends at work who had a garden.  I needed to do something with the jalapenos, so they wouldn’t spoil, since they were extremely ripe.  I attempted to make hot pepper jelly.  Hopefully, it will taste good.  Here’s the recipe if you’re interested.


           Hot Pepper Jelly    Recipe by Kraft
2 red peppers seeded, chopped fine

2 green peppers, seeded, chopped fine

10 large jalapenos, seeded, and chopped fine

1 cup cider vinegar

1 package of Sure Jell Fruit Pectin

½ teaspoon butter or margarine

5 cups sugar in separate bowl

 

Directions

Place peppers in pot, add vinegar, and stir in pectin.  Add butter to reduce foaming.  Bring mixture to full rolling boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in sugar.  Return to full rolling boil for exactly 1 minute.  Remove from heat.  Skim off any foam with metal spoon.

Place in prepared pint size canning jars, remove air bubbles, clean rims, and put top and ring in place, put jar in water bath and process for 10 minutes.

 *****


Update on one of our animals, Bug.  On September 11, 2013 we had to put down Bug.  Several days before, Bug jumped off of our couch, and pounced hard on her two front paws, causing the impact to be pushed into her spine causing paralysis.  We brought Bug immediately to our veterinarian and she advised this is a common problem with small dogs with long bodies and short legs (watch out for your little dog’s people).  How do you prevent a dog from being a dog?  You don’t……  The Vet placed Bug on steroids, a pain killer, physical therapy, and laser therapy, after doing an exam.  While completing an exam the doctor ran her fingers down Bug’s spine, she yelped, and bit the Vet.  The Vet proceeded on pulling hair in the pads of her back legs, and she moved briefly.   We setup a plan of action to take care of our little girl.  Surgery was not an option, it would be severe, and there would be no guarantee she would be okay; and we were told this could happen again.  We set Bug up for laser therapy every other day.  When we returned for our second laser therapy, the Vet once again checked Bug’s back.  This time she didn’t yelp or feel a thing, a test was done on her back paws, no signs of movement or pain there either.  Another laser treatment was performed; we went home and followed our instructions from the Vet, medications, and physical therapy.  We continued the physical therapy; there was no movement from Bug at all.  The only change now, she refused to eat or drink, and it was obvious even though she was still with us, her spirit was totally gone.  We brought her back to the Vet. After a discussion with the Vet, it was in the best interest to put Bug down.  There was nothing more we could do for our little girl, and we didn’t want to see her suffer. 

She’ll be missed dearly!
SHARE:

36 comments

  1. Oh, sweet Sandy, we're so sad for what you are going through. Sending warm thoughts your direction.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mizdeb, Rev. Paul, and 1st Man,

    Thank you so much for your kind words and warm thoughts.
    Bug was a sweetie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry about Bug. I know it hurts. Thanks for jelly recipe...I shall try it. As soon as my friend returns I'll ask for his recipe too and send it along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen,

      Yes it hurts, she was so young.

      You're welcome, please share your friends recipe when you have a chance would love to try it.

      Delete
  4. You know how much I love dogs. They know when there's no hope and they lose spirit as well as dignity. It doesn't make it easier, even when you have no choice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So sorry, you've faced a very difficult decision. Thinking of you..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sandy,
    I'm so terribly sorry you guys and Bug had to go through all that. How horrible. I'm sorry for your loss of your precious furbaby. I really don't know what else to say. I'd give you a hug right about now. (((((Hugs))))

    Your pepper jelly looks SO pretty!
    Sci

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sci,

      Thank you so much for your support and sweet words.

      This is a first on the hot pepper jelly for me, hopefully it will setup real good.

      Delete
  7. I am so sorry to hear about, Bug. These little pets are so dear to our hearts. You tried really hard to do what you could, buy I know that doesn't make the pain go away.

    Blessings, Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie,

      No it doesn't make the pain go away at all. She was just running around being Bug, jumped from the coach and hit the floor to hard for her back. I don't wish this on any one.
      Thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  8. sweet Sandy - you already have our deepest condolences for Little Bug! you know that you did the right thing for Little Bug, even though it broke your heart! much love to you all from the both of us!

    your friends,
    jambaloney and kymber
    (p.s. - your pepper jelly looks divine!)
    (p.p.s - he says the next fishing trip is yours...he's gonna go down to fuller's bridge and see if he can get us a mackerel!!!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet Kymber,

      It broke both of our hearts, it was the right thing to do. Thank you for your sweet words.

      I'm right there for the fishing trip :-)

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. PP,

      Thank you! It is very sad, she was to young and full of life when this happened.

      Delete
  10. I am so very sorry to hear this Sandy. I know all of our pets become such a huge part of our lives that when they leave us, it hurts terribly. Thoughts are with you guys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DFW,

      Thank you so very much for your sweet words and warm thoughts. Yes, our animals are like family.

      Delete
  11. Oh Sandy I am so so sorry about Bug I know how hard this is. I. Think you made the best decision even though it was probably one of the hardest decisions you ever had to make. Hugs and more hugs. B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. B,

      Thank you so much for your kinds words, it was a hard decision and I wasn't going to have my baby in any pain.

      Delete
  12. Thanks for your comment on my Boulderneigh blog, Sandy. I'm sure sorry to hear about Bug; every loss we've had breaks my heart so I know yours must be broken as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle,

      I found your blog through one of my blogger friends. Thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  13. Such a hard decision - but it wasn't made in haste. I feel for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michaele,

      It was a very hard decision and I couldn't let her suffer. Thank you for your warm words.

      Delete
  14. oh i am so very sorry to hear this. it is so sad. i worry so much about teddy as she ages. sending good energy your way! joyce

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jaz,

      Thank you for your warm and thoughtful words. I so need good energy right now. Give Teddy a scratch behind the ears for me.

      Delete
  15. Sandy
    I'm thinking of you. Losing our pet is like losing a part of your family.
    Take care-Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kimberly,

      She was part of the family, thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  16. Sandy,

    So sorry for your loss. It's not easy to part with your best friend. I always tear up when remembering mine.

    Your pepper jelly looks terrific ... I wrote down the recipe to try.

    Take care .

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sandy -
    So sorry to read about this. I know what you're going through.
    When I lost my Riko dog I couldn't stop crying for 3 days and didn't leave the house for a week. I actually slept on his grave.
    Didn't know if this would be welcomed comfort or not
    http://www.royaldomain.com/jim/animals.htm
    KMG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Granny Miller,

      I'm so sorry to hear about Riko, you know he's an angel above watching over you as is Bug. Our animals are like family members. Thank you for sending me this wonderful website.

      Delete
  18. Sandy, I am so sorry to hear about Bug! What a heartbreak.

    Your jalapeno jelly looks really good. I tried some last year and thought it really tasty. Not too hot and delicious with cream cheese.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leigh,

      Very much a heartbreak. She was such a sweet little girl.
      This is a first for me, I'm trying a recipe from Kraft. Hopefully, it will come out good.

      Delete

BLOGGER TEMPLATE CREATED BY pipdig