Thank you Carol & Jenniesue, I love my old camera, my brother gave it to me a couple of years ago, he bought a new one. In it's day it cost $1,000. Don and I dont make the kind of living that allows us to indulge in such luxuries, so I was grateful to get it. Jenniesue, The yellow stuff is my yellow tomato basil mix. I grew yellow tomatos for the first time this year and they are abundant, so is my basil! I may just eat it as tomato basil soup, I have discovered that the yellow tomatos are a bit juicy so they don't seem to be condusive to making into pasta sauce? I don't like my pasta sauce to be runny, I like it thick. today I am roasting orange tomatos in the oven till a little black on them and then making roasted tomato sauce to can. Next to the tomato veggie soup in the picture is my Bruschetta from the Ball canning book, it came out yummy! Susan

It all looks so wonderful! All I managed to can was a batch of Annie's Salsa 7 pints and no leftovers! :( I only tasted a small amount, and was sweating hoping the last jar would fill to the top! Speaking of chickens, that's the reason I have been neglecting my garden, and canning! Well chickens, ducks and 3 baby goats! We just got our chickens and ducks last Sunday and we have been trying to make them a nice pen, how do you pen your chickens? We didn't really plan on getting the chickens and really went for the ducks, because a few weeks ago a duckling came waddling up my driveway, and my son saved it from becoming the cats midnight snack, it seemed so lonly that we found a lady that sold ducklings so we went to get 2 more for Paddle the duck, so it wouldn't be so blue, we ended up with 5 ducklings and 5 chickens, and 1 rooster, I have a hunch we got a few roosters instead of hens, but I'm new to them and I can't tell! They are supposed to be blue cochins! They sure are fun to watch! When we brought them home and Paddle heard the ducks peeping, it went crazy, I think Paddle is a female, but I don't know, time will tell, but she takes care of the ducklings like they are hers, she is just starting to molt, I think, I hope! Yesterday she got seperated from them and starting calling them and they answered her, and she freaked until they were all back together! I have fed them some fruit scraps and they all love them, glad to know I could do that, I wasn't sure! Before we got the other ducks, I thought paddle thought, she was a goat, she would watch the goats eat maple and blackberry leaves and go over and reach up as high as she could to get some for herself! Anyway, back to canning talk! Can't resist showing my flock,& herd!! Paddle when she came to us! They whole crew, paddle is the biggest one! My three goats, Tanya,(All black) Tucker,(blonde) and Toby!!(black & white)

Hey just got into St. Augustine and had to come to the library FIRST thing and visit my friends. You are ALL so great. What a treat for me to know that you are all here and so supportive. Auntjen: thank you and I am having an amazing time of it. Stinky...I like having the down time at the end of the day. Believe me the "sittin on the beach" is the best part of every day :) Amy: what a gift you have given me....how precious that we can share these memories as we make more. jana: I am very lucky that is for sure. busybee: we did fly yesterday for sure. Our speed was smokin for a fully loaded trip. Today not so much...north wind...but my spirit is flying for sure. sue: you are so sweet...and amazing yourself. I am on my way in a minute to read your thread and get caught up. fly : you are a HOOT !!! we will have our daughters push us and have a race !!! dee: me too !! We passed the 500 mile mark at 9 AM today. roselvr as always I am so glad to count you as a friend. Thank you. c

She's having problems logging in. This is the rest of the above update. 5/21- PT 5- avg 12 - miles 64 Surf City to Cedar Point. great day, rode strong. Got a LOT hotter !! Rode past part of Camp Le Jeune. The firing range. Great Great late breakfast. had ab OJ/mango drink in camp and a bagel and canned pears and coffee. Then we stopped and I had 2 sunny side up eggs and 2 slices of ham and 3 buttermilk pancakes...yum. We passed three little girls on the way here with a lemonade stand. It was $1 a glass...cute sweet gals and we all had a glass.... No lunch stop...not sure why I would need MORE food :) Stopped at a Lowes Grocery on the way and got a HUGE salad bar and an Arrogant "Bleeped out" Ale for dinner in camp..yum. Did laundry...I do the laundry for everyone every day...more on that some time in the future, Great forestry campground here in Cedar Point. If you ever get this way do check it out. Oh and we WAITED for the Rapture...what happened ????? 5/22 PT 5- Avg 12- Miles 73 Cedar Point to Ocracoke Island rode alone to mile 30. Met up with Bob and Pete and we rode to the ferry. Had a mediocre meal as we waited for the ferry. It is a 2 1/2 hr ride. The ride to the ferry is lots of marsh and bridges over the estuaries. Very beautiful but HOT and windy. We were glad to get on the ferry. We all slept most of the way...laid down on the long bench seats. Very nice. Staying at Black Beard's Lodge. Every thing here on the island is called Black Beard. Edward Teach was his name and he was notorious in these parts. Had dinner at the Jolly Roger grill and it was a great burger and fries and beautiful sunset pics...then the mosquitoes came out...ouch ! 5/23 Ocracoke to Cape Hatteras PT3- Avg 15 !!!! ( tail wind ) miles 53 SMOKINg speed. I looked down and was doing 23 mph at times !! Whew....had a bagel and cream cheese and coffee. Pete and Bob and I looked at the lighthouse and then walked out to the point where BB was killed by a Navy officer. supposedly anyway. We then got underway. We stopped at Pop's on the way finally to get some food. There was nothing for a long way. This is a most interesting bar. It was amazing the amount folks were drinking so early in the day...oh well. Had a burger and fries...great fuel !! Nice campground tonight. Walked on beach. Great pic with Blue the dog. 5/Cape Hatteras to Kitty Hawk PT 3:12 avg 12.3- miles 39 ate peaches and ripe banana in camp and 2 tiny donuts. Rode over BIG bridge. Stopped at a little store and had to get a Jimmy Dean sausage biscuit and microwave it in the store....not too bad but have had better :) Went on to Nags Head. Very large pretentious homes for most of the town till you get all the way in. walked around Kitty Hawk and listened to a presentation. Took two pics. Very interesting brothers. There is a peat bog fire in the area and the wind blows the smoke here at times and the air is very bad and then it clears. We are leaving tomorrow and part of the group ( two other women) are staying behind. It is hard but for the best. It will be me and the 3 guys....we get along so well and will all be better for it. We had lunch at Goombays and it was WONDERFUL !! Fantastic grouper sandwich. Also owner called and got us a great price on a motel. The holiday is coming and prices are up but we got a great place cheap. Pete and Bob and I went to the Red Lion and got supper fixings...you guessed it am sure...I got a pint...of Haagan Dazs...not Gentleman Jack!! Hasn't been that kind of trip this year....we are excited to be going on tomorrow...as a group of 4. Stayed at the Sea Ranch motel . Stopped and saw the Bodie Island lighthouse on the way here. TODAY !! 5/25 Kitty Hawk to Elizabeth City. Avg 13.4 Miles 52....we RODE fast. Felt so happy and light...all the guys are smiling and laughing now that we are 4 . Enough of that...it is over and done.