Mason Jar Coffee

That's right, mason jar.

A couple of days ago my french press shattered.

I was devastated.

I have come to love my french press.

I've done drip, espresso and even had a short stint with instant.

{In my first trimester with Cedric I couldn't stand the smell of brewing coffee.}

I have found that the press produces the smoothest cup.

{I'm sure the half and half doesn't hurt.}

Just go buy another right?

I probably would have if the kids weren't in bed already.

Ok then just take out one of the other methods.

I almost did.

But I had just had a bunch of beans ground for the french press.

Besides I just didn't want to go back to these other methods.

I thought "I'm sure I can simulate a french press."

And so was born my version of Mason Jar Coffee.

{Patent pending, not really.}

1. Boil water.

{I know the visual is really helpful right?}

 2. Get your supplies.

Mason Jar

Coffee (course grind)

4"x 4" piece of porous fabric

{I used tulle since I had a bunch leftover from some projects a couple months ago.}

Chopstick

Cloth of some sort

 3. Put coffee in jar.

I usually do a heaping tbsp for each cup (250ml) but that may be a little weak for you.

Many websites say 2 tbsp for each 250ml in a french press.

 4. Pour in boiling water.

This is getting complicated, I know.

 5.  Put the lid on {not the ring} and let steep for about 5 mins.

You should have that nice bloom on top.

 6. Give it a quick stir {I just used a chopstick} and the grounds will sink a bit.

 7. Place the fabric in top.

 8. Screw the ring over the fabric.

9. Pour! 

This is a 2 hand job so I have no pic but I think it's pretty self explanatory.

The jar does get hot hence the washcloth or something to hold it with.

That's it.

I even tested this method out on my former-barista sister yesterday and she gave it a thumbs up.

I love the fact that I didn't spend any money on this or add more gadgets to the house.

{I am a little anti-gadget for those who don't already know this about me.}

It's a keeper.

Tap That

{It's not just you, the titles are getting worse.}

I have roots in Ontario.

Both my parents lived there until they were in their mid-twenties.

We went back every year to visit.

When coming home we often brought back a bucket of maple syrup.

That's right folks, a bucket.

Maple syrup is a staple out east.

Salt, pepper, sugar, maple syrup.

Not in that order.

So I grew up with an intense love for maple syrup.

REAL maple syrup.

I have often settled for "maple type syrup" because of the price difference.

Recently I discovered President's choice 15% maple syrup.

It's not the same as the real thing but it's a decent stand-in at a fraction of the cost.

Well, Diana and Carly were at the cabin a while back.

 Jeff, of course, made his to-die-for french toast.

And I took out the good old 15%.

Cut to a couple weeks later when they showed up with this...

...tied up with a bow no less.

Well, seeing as dinner was in the works, I wasn't about to whip up a batch of pancakes.

{I'm not above having pancakes for dinner.}

But I really wanted to dive into this jug.

Then I remembered something my Mom used to do.

Looks good right?

It is.

Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with granola and drenched topped with maple syrup.

{A special thanks to Kim for leaving the ice cream after our meeting last week.}

Adventures in Preserving: Can I?

I didn't think this day would come.

I always admired people who preserved their own food.

It looked hard.

It must be hard right?

Well turns out, it's not!

Canning is now on my list of Fall loves.

It was so satisfying to see my jars all lined up.

Even more satisfying was the praise from Hubby while eating spaghetti sauce with home-canned tomatoes.

These were the easiest as there were 2 ingredients.

I used these instructions and they turned out great.

I also loved Fiona's pleas for "Mowr pickle Mommy."

For these I used this recipe.

I made some Peach Jam with this recipe that I found on Pinterest.

I fell in love with Peach Jam when Diana gave me some last year.

I like it best when it's not too processed and there are chunks of peach.

The cherry on top?

Finally, I found something to do with all those plums.

The Plum Jam directions were from this site.

This was a great site for a lot of information.

I didn't really want as much info as they were giving but could see wanting this in the future if I start doing a lot more.

Canning was also great when you have a 6 month old starting solids.

I was able to process some fruit and veggies without the sugar to give to Cedric.

Now my family has some fresh tasting, preservative free food to enjoy.

Not to mention the mason jars look really great stacked in my pantry.

Harvesting

Remember how I told you about the garden I planted?

It was so beautiful.

It didn't last long.

At least I was honest with myself.  

I knew there was a good chance that it would be overrun with weeds and starved of proper watering.

I know myself too well.

Thanks to the rain, though, I did get a pathetic little harvest.

Even though it was barely enough to speak of, it still felt good to pick.

And of course we can always count on the plums.

By the end of August everyone in our house is sick of them.

If you like plums just come over in early September and you will most likely be sent home with a bag.

For now I will take comfort in what my friend Kim said while I was admiring her backyard.

"Cheryl, you're growing your kids now.  You'll have time for growing plants later."

Thanks Kim.

I'll try, try again next year.

Another Use for Burlap

Last year I decided to do burlap runners for Christmas dinner.

I had no idea how much to buy so I went my usual route and bought way too much.

{The stuff was cheap and I didn't want to risk another trip back to Marshall's with Fiona.}

Well, since then I have been finding all these little uses for burlap.

Fiona's birthday banner.

Jenna's shower gift.

Now, our newest addition to the stairway art.

These patches belonged to Jeff's Grandpa.

Heather {Jeff's Mom} brought them over a while back and I loved the way they looked.

Jeff and I both have a love for antiques and anything nostalgic.

We're the ones who get a call if there's an old piece of furniture up for grabs.

We love the look of these pieces.

Mostly though, we love the thought that our home is filled with pieces of the past.

Pieces of our families.

I Feel Like a Grown Up When...

I listen to CBC.

{Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for the non-Canucks.}

I have fond memories of my Dad cooking Sunday Brunch while listening to Radio 1.

For some reason when it starts to get cooler I feel the need to turn the radio to AM 740.

It's like fall comfort food for my ears.