Retro Totes

I promised my "Duck" that I would make a tote with her quite some time ago.  We finally had the chance to get together and get them done.  Isn't she a beautiful girl!  I love this kid!  I previously made a version of this tote here.  I got the tutorial for this tote from Homemade by Jill.

We took the totes up a notch this time and added a pocket inside for her ipod, which she takes with her everywhere.  We also added her name on a home made tag to the inside.  I think that is my favourite part of this tote.  We used a piece of scrap fabric and freyed the edge by hand and then used bubble fabric paint to write her name on it.  I think it's a really fun touch.

This bottom one is the tote I made for myself.  I needed an updated version of this bag as I use it to bring my lunch to work in.

So what do you think?  I think that the best part of this whole thing was making them with my Duck!

Salsa

This has to be one of my favourite activities of this harvest time of year.  Getting together with my "Salsa Queens" and making a batch of this liquid gold as we like to call it.  I think I have become a salsa snob now because of how fresh and tasty this stuff is I refuse to eat any other kinds.

This is the job that I tend to end up doing.  Blanching and peeling the skins off the tomatoes.  I love  how they just slip off after 30 seconds in warm water.

The jars get put into the oven at about 220 degrees to sterilize them.  Of course they go in clean.

The tomatoes waiting for the big plunge.

Here is all the yummy goodness put together in one dish.  Note the Cilantro is the key ingredient and what makes this dish fantastic.

It then needs to be brought to a boil and then you can it.

My favourite part of  this event is when we make daiquiris and sip on them waiting for the jars to hit the canner and be processed.  Oh and maybe the bowl that we devour with some chips that never even make it to a jar.  Oh wait maybe it's hanging out with my favourite girls, Meaghan and Monica who are my partners in crime.  Yes that is my favourite part.