Seedmama, That does sound like a reasonable substitution, but because we're talking about fats in canning I wouldn't make it myself (and I'm considered a safety-ignoring cowboy by some on this forum). It's not hard to get a hold of actual chocolate, after all. All, Boy, I really am forgetful in my old age! I made this chocolate-raspberry jam again yesterday with my two young visiting nieces (aged 9 and 11; one is my brother's youngest from Montreal and one is my sister's from Toronto, so they were having a visit with each other at their auntie's place in between). We had a lot of fun! We went raspberry picking the day before and they worked hard in the hot sun, and then in the hot kitchen, but were very proud to make labels and bring their creations home to their families. We got a bigger yield than the recipe called for---more like 8 pints than 6 or 7 --- and we also found it very runny. This was no problem, as it gave me a chance to explain to my new young canner nieces that there is no such thing as a failed jam, only successful sauce! But now I went looking for this old thread to reread, and I see that when I made this jam several years ago it ALSO came out runny, but then set up almost firm a few days later! So maybe that will happen again. I had to laugh at myself because I had the same thing with the boiling---we addded the sugar after a minute of what looked like a "full, roiling boil," but then when it heated back up again it boiled much harder and I thought we should have waited longer before adding it. Sigh! You'd think an editor would know to check her sources. Anyway, we used the recipe Gardengrl had posted, calling for 3 ounces of chocolate---used a 100-gram bittersweet bar of a quality grocery house brand. MMM is it good. If it doesn't set up to be spreadable it's going to end up getting stirred into oatmeal and poured on pancakes. We love to jazz up our winter breakfasts around here with home-canned jars from the happy harvest days.... Z, who enjoyed reliving her wedding and Annie's!

IN the groups of birds, there were some that were similar to the Robins, dark gray, yellow beak and eye, but clearly no reddish orange breast coloring. They quickly moved away from my yard (still covered with a lot of snow and water) to another farther down that had more open grass and soil. The Northern Mockingbirds are too light gray, and I didn't see any white whits markings, though I could have easily missed them due to the distance. The Cedar Waxwings are a wishful possibility, but again, the birds I saw were of a uniformly dark color. Also, there are no berries around here. They were all gobbled up quickly in fall, and any drupes left on some trees were chased down by the squirrels on their high-wire act. The squirrels even go into my yews and eat all the little red berries. The birds I saw were clearly pecking and digging in the ground to find food. Today is colder and windy, and there aren't as many birds around

We go once in a while. The burgers are good and they have a huge variety....you'll probably find something for whatever you are craving at that moment. Make sure you get the fries too. I wouldn't call Red Robin "gourmet" by any stretch...just alot of variety. If you are looking for a quiet place, this isn't it. Family oriented and not for those with a headache. They pretty much have something for everyone if you're feeling the need for some greasy food. Don't get me wrong...I'm not bashing...I like their stuff at times....just not ALL the time.

Michelle, I was in both Heart in Hand and Quilting Queens. Regarding Quilting Queens: 1. I don't have anyone's quilt to work on. I have worked on everyone in this group's quilt. 2. I do have mine back. As for Heart in Hands: Speaking for myself, I have tried to contact the person I believe has my center, though I don't know for certain, since I've received no response. 1. I have worked on Joyce's and Michelle's and sent them on. 2. I have blocks ready for Tara's row, but have not received it. Tara, if you'd like me to send the loose blocks, I'd be happy, too. I've just hesitated since the whole point is to pass these works on to the next person in line. 3. I have NOT received my center back and don't know where it is. I worked for several weeks on this first attempt at broderie perse and it breaks my heart that it has not come home. Kay