So, logically one of the things I look for at these type stores is home canning jars. No go at this Good Will though.. I keep perusing and come across an old pressure cooker, a ‘National No.7′ according to the label riveted to it. I quickly did some research on my phone, but that didn’t set me completely at ease. I then dialed up my sister who was near a computer and did even more research and listed some prices of the parts I could visibly identify in need of replacement.

So, I shelled out the 15 bucks they were asking and brought it home. Once cleaned up, it’s a pretty respectable unit (I literally separated it down to every part… handles off, etc):

Inside of the pressure canner

Pressure canner

So, now I just need to make it to the county extension office to get the gauge checked… I’m going to wait to order the weights until I do this, as I’ll need to add a new gauge to the order if it fails too drastically.

Once everything’s a go go, I’ll be able to can a full batch of stock or anything else that requires pressure canning. So happy to not have to pay full price for this guy!

Name suggestions?

Into a kitchen that four people can stand in together (comfortably). Into a back yard that Axel can run around as I grill our first official dinner on the Weber JBIV gave us. Into a neighborhood where we can take a walk and say ‘hi’ to the neighbors as we pass by their homes. Across the street from the lady that brought over two tomato plants as we were moving in.

As you can tell, we’re happy. Happy.

Kitchen

Showdown...

Living room; boxes to go...

I was happy to oblige and prepare a red velvet cake – everyone seemed in awe of my nonchalant acceptance of the task. I googled it and found this recipe from food network.

Upon rounding up the ingredients, I discovered I would need to buy 4 (FOUR) packages of food coloring, just to get the amount of liquid red food coloring I’d need. (and it probably wouldn’t be that red)

Crazy enough, I was at an Indian market the day before, just perusing and noticed they had dry food coloring.

I high tailed it back over to the market and picked up a jar of the red food coloring and returned home to proceed.

With just a quarter of a teaspoon, my batter was already looking good:

Red Velvet Batter

and it turned out pretty good at the pot-luck, at least no one complained..

Although, Andy commented that it wasn’t the best he’s had… perhaps I need a more intimidating recipe?

Andy is always saying we can get by with less ‘stuff’ around, and I agree.. For now, a key rack and ten dollar organizer have made our entry table (which Kelly was gracious enough to give us) tolerable again.. And all this little odds and ends that always go walking just as your trying to leave the house are corralled..