Canning Jelly

Does the word canning scare you? Does it make you wan't to crawl in a corner and suck your thumb? I'm telling you right now...it is not as scary as it may appear. I started making jelly last summer and it's soooo easy! All you have to do is get a box of Sure-Jell and go by the directions. These are a list of the things you will need: Ball jars, Lids, Sure-Jell, lots and lots of sugar, and your fruit you have picked and labored over. All you do is cook out all your juice from your fruit. Once you've boil your juice you are going to have to strain it really good. I usually strain my fruit through a towel placed in a strainer. After you think you have all the gunk out of your juice you start boiling it and just go by your Sure-Jell instruction. Make sure you boil all your jars and lids before cooking. You want to keep your tops hot till you place them on your jar. When you've poored your juice and placed the lids on let them set till lids start popping. Hearing lids popping is the best sound in the world! It is all worth the time and effort! Once you do it the first time its like riding a bike...you'll never forget it. Enjoy!

Cowboy Cupcakes

I found this photo in some old files and thought I would share it. I made these last year for the Wild Horse Ministry annual trail ride. It is so simply and so cute! You just get a chocolate cake mix and make your cupcakes as normal (I use Duncan Hines because I find it's so moist). After you bake them you let them cool. You can top them with any icing you want to use. I make a homemade icing that you can find on the Wilton website. I use the really large tips for decorating (They give you some helpful tips at www.wilton.com). Then you melt some white blocked chocolate..I usually use white and just drop some food coloring in it (not too much). Next..you draw boots with a marker or use a template to make your boots on the wax paper. Then you poor your chocolate on the wax paper and form your boots with a spoon or knife. Stick in freezer and cool. After you remove them from the freezer they should pop right on off. Hope you enjoy!