A very good summer.

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I asked, and received, it seems.  Sure, I've been blowing it, sort of.  What have I been squandering, you ask?  Ah... cool weather.  Whether it lasts or not, I do believe it has helped.  And I am almost certain I will get at least one use out of it, beside all of the in house stuff I have also pushed through.  I have definitely been enjoying it.

I ended up having a great deal of trouble seeding one of the berry mixes.  I kept at it, let it set, tried a few things.  Next time?  Heat.  Yeah, yeah, but it's easy, on a first try, to miss even the obvious.  Yes, just blend, put int a small pot, and heat gently.  A good place to add sugar or other sweetener as well.  Then strain.  I have several type of strainers that are easily fine enough for even raspberry seed.  Okay, well, after pounding my head on that wall all day, if I did a few other things, I can now move a little more quickly on the other fruits.  My guess is strawberries are best strained too.  Not sure what other berries I have.  When blending, best to add a bit of apple sauce.  Just a little something the prime the process.  Adding water will cut it, though lemon juice might be okay, or even orange juice.  Hmm...  I'll use what I have.  My blended worked quite well.  Learning something, seemingly, every day lately.  Even if I don't seem to be doing all that much.  Oh... a tip... can't remember where I got it but... if you microwave your canning jar, it can no longer be used for canning.  It will shatter.  Thankfully I didn't learn that one too late.

The trays should be ready.  I'll do more puree, or compote?  No, puree I do believe.  Compotes add some of the sauce fruit in whole.  Give or take?  That's how I remember it anyway.  With the addition of heat, I should be able to process the purees much more quickly and get some leathers going.  I completely changed my mind regarding sugar.  I simply won't add any.  If I really can't handle it straight, next time I will add a bit.  As well, I want to go through my kit, wash some of the new stuff, and put everything where it really, ideally to my mind, should go... and how it should go in.  I really am well rigged for several nights out there.  I will add more food as well.  I want enough to last in case I really go stupid.  It happens.  Total confusion about where you are isn't too terrible if you remember a few things.  The world, if you stop and calm yourself... for some of us... will tell us where we are if we but listen.  I know that from experience.  From child onward, people have been leaving me where I wasn't and telling me to go where I couldn't.  I learned long ago to just go home, and how to do so.

Well...  breakfast first.  I've been up since 3:00 or early probably, by a bit.  Coffee would be good as well.  Perhaps a show as I wake better.  While setting those things up, I'll pull out the rest of the fruits to be pureed and set up the dehydrator.  It's been a good life lately.  Now to expand it just a bit more.  Later.