Xmas in a Jar

So, I've been on a canning kick lately. My parents and my uncle have heavy producing fig trees. I have no idea what type of figs they are. They were cuttings from a tree that was brought over from Italy years ago. Anyway, I've found figs are perfect for both sweet and savory jams. I've made a horseradish roasted garlic, peppered balsamic and, what I like to call, Xmas in a jar. Xmas in a Jar is what we are here for. The flavors remind me of the Christmas tea mix Mama made when I was a kid. The smell of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves that fills the kitchen always brings me to a happy place. So with no further ado, I give you Xmas in a Jar.

Ingredients:
4lbs figs, washed
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup bottled lemon juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Cut stems from figs and chopped roughly and put in a large non-reactive stockpot.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour or until jam stage is acheived, stirring occasionally.
4. Using an immersion blender, puree to desired consistency. (I like mine very smooth)
5. Pour into prepared 1/2 pint or 1/4 pint jars, leaving at least a 1/4 inch headroom and wiping rims.
6. Put on lids and rings and prrocess in  boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
7. Remove carefully, allow to sit at least 12 hours undisturbed. After 12 hours check seal.

Makes 7-8 half pint jars.

Right In The Nuts

Spencer goes to a school for the gifted and talented. I was asked to review his work with him. I wonder why. =/

Wretches and Jabberers

My local chapter of The Autism Society did a screening of Wretches and Jabbers last night. It was fantastic. It's both heart-wrenching and encouraging at the same time. I think Larry and Tracy send an important message about judging a book by it's cover. What's inside is always so much more interesting.


Another example supporting my theory that most people with autism have above average intelligence.


Watch it! I command you!

Surfers Healing Fundraiser 2011

Surfers Healing is non-profit organization that offers a free day of surfing to those with autism. It is funded solely by donations and is run by AMAZING volunteers. The families are treated with dignity and love. Our 8yr old son, Xander, has participated in the camp 4x and this will be his 5th. We have been so grateful to this day of non-judgement, where Xander can be himself and people actually celebrate his awesome quirks.

Please donate if you're able by clicking on the link below:
http://www.active.com/donate/surfsup2011/xander213

If you are unable to donate, consider volunteering for Surfers Healing or some other autism organization in your area. You'll love hanging out with these fabulous people.

For more info on Surfers Healing: www.surfershealing.org

For more info on
Surfers Healing Virginia Beach: http://www.surfershealingvb.org/

UPDATE: The fundraiser is over. I raised $1100 this year. Thank you so much to everyone who donated or gave their time.

Yes, I still exist

Hey, howzit? I know I haven't blogged in a while. I just don't have anything interesting to say lately. So there it is, my extremely brief entry for the summer. Enjoy.

Here's a picure from a recent trip to the zoo.

The Evil Tail

The Bob has an arch nemesis. His name is the Tail. The Tail is a foul, evil thing that never leaves the Bob alone. He taunts the Bob, wagging constantly in his face.

Meet Bob

Meet Bob. We got him as a rescue today. He's 9wks old. He's adorably ugly.

Not Broken

I watched a documentary the other day that got me to thinking. I know, dangerous, eh? The documentary was about three young men at different places on the spectrum. One was non-verbal, one was moderate and the other had Asperger's. The non-verbal boy and the boy with Asperger's seemed very comfortable with their autism. The young man with moderate autism was frustrated and kept on talking about his brain being broken.

I asked myself, "Why such a difference in attitude?" The answer became obvious. It was the views on autism by those around the individual on the spectrum. I heard not one negative word about autism from any of the people around the two who seemed happy. The boy with Asperger's said he viewed his autism as an asset. The non-verbal boy was surrounded by neuro-typical teens and adults who treated him with respect. The unhappy boy's parents said his brain was plagued with autism. They constantly spoke about it as a disease. They did all of this in front of him. It was very apparent that the parents who spoke negatively loved their boy. I honestly don't think they realized how their comments affected him. They often talked around him to others. When others talk about you as being broken or plagued, you're eventually going to believe it.


I understand that dealing with the symptoms of autism can be very difficult, especially for the caretakers. There are many that view it as a disease and use words like "afflicted", "broken", and "suffers from". Negative words are often sharper than any blade. Research shows more and more that individuals with autism are aware of everything that goes on around them and that includes conversations. Just because someone can't verbalize their feelings doesn't mean they don't have them. Rail against autism, hate it if you want. Make yourself miserable with constant negativity. That's your prerogative. Just keep it away from your kids. You don't have the right to suck them into your blackhole of misery.

Andy and I are very conscious of what we say around Xander. I don't ever want him to have that feeling of self-loathing. It would absolutely break our hearts. I want him to know that he's not broken.

Wii Sword Dance

This is from NYE 2009. I giggle everytime I watch this, especially since my nephew is 6'6" and Spencer is about 3'9".

Ladies and gentlemen, I present "The Wii Sword Dance".

The Elephant in the Room

A few posts ago I posted some pictures of my first attempt at knitting a stuffed animal. I got the pattern for it from a book. Well, over the weekend, I decided to try my hand at designing my own stuffie. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the elephant:

 

 

Guest blogging at Irish Autism Action

This week I'm, yet again, the guest blogger for Irish Autism Action's Global Autism Community. It's basically some of my views on autism and the treatments we've done.  Jen, thanks again. 

Check out Irish Autism Action's page here: http://irishautismaction.blogspot.com/2010/12/global-autism-community_17.html

Make sure you also visit Jen's blog, The King and Eye here: http://www.thekingandeye.com/

What I want for Christmas - Special Needs Blog Hop

What do I want for Christmas? This is going to be short and sweet: I want to sleep-in, I want a nap in the middle of the day and a nice glass or two (or maybe three) of red wine while putting my feet up and admiring my tree. That's right, it's all about what I want for once.

To join the Special Needs Blog Hop, click on the image below and follow the directions.

Knit, knit, knit

 I took up knitting a few years ago for stress relief. I've really come to love doing it. I recently made my very first stuffed animal for a Philly Flyers fan along with a scarf and hat.

Irish Autism Action: Global Autism Community.

This week I'm the guest blogger for Irish Autism Action's Global Autism Community. Evidently, the video of Xander's progress over the last year has made an impression. Jen, thank you so much for featuring my sweet boy.

Check out Irish Autism Action's page here: http://irishautismaction.blogspot.com/2010/12/global-autism-community.html

Make sure you also visit Jen's blog, The King and Eye here: http://www.thekingandeye.com/

The Zombie Trap

The SN Blog Hop for yesterday was about the recent accomplishments of your child w/special needs. I decided that my NT kid needed to have his recent accomplishment touted as well.

I give you Spencer's Zombie Trap:

That's right, while you suckers are getting your brains eaten, I will be safe during the zombie apocalypse due to the above ingenious design by a four year old. According to Spencer, brains are used to lure them up a ladder, they fall into a pit (camouflaged by a fake building) and then it's like shooting fish in a barrel. Our plan is foolproof though we still haven't decided whose brains will be the bait.

Xander's Accomplishments

What has Xander accomplished? So much. I could write pages and pages about the first time he said a spontaneous, appropriate complete sentence, learned to read, said, "I love you" first. Xander accomplishes so much everyday just by learning to adapt and deal with a world that has a different view from him. He teaches me patience, he gives joy. Below is a link to a video of how much Xander accomplished over the last year and a half. He works so hard.

To join the Special Needs Blog Hop, click on the image below and follow the directions.

That Man

Two blogs in one day. I'm feeling a bit ambitious today. I spend all my time talking about two of the three most important men in my life so here's a little snippet about Andy, the love of my life, my husband. I'm not someone who gushes; however, he's one of the most fantabulawesome people I know.

Andy and I met in 1992 and have been together ever since. He is, without a doubt, one of the most patient people I know. Anyone who could tolerate me for almost 19 years is a saint. (Yeah, yeah, I hear ya' Mom, but he does it 'cause he wants to, not 'cause he has to.) He's funny, cynical, handsome, INTELLIGENT, and is an awesome artist and writer. He, much like myself, is a connoisseur of potty humor and sci-fi. His fathering abilities are second to none. He doesn't half-ass it in any way. Oh, and bonus, he has a nice butt. I think his only flaw is his love for me (and his crap eyesight).

Here is some of his work from his website, WickedSmash.com. Please keep in mind these images are copyrighted and owned by Andy, blah, blah blah. You can click on the images to go to that particular comic.

WitchHound

Grace Brothers

The Super-Hip, Gnarly, Rad Catz

Stuffing Yourself Silly Day

I don't have a particular memory about Thanksgiving which is strange because it's my favorite family holiday. I love the idea of spending the day with just family and none of the pressure or chaos of X-mas. Since I can't think of anything in particular, I will take this opportunity to show how frakkin' adorable Xander looked after eating his fill Thanksgiving '07.

For info on joining the Special Needs Hop, click the image below.

Share the Funny

So, today's assignment for the Special Needs Hop is to share a funny memory of your kid. We were watching TV when out of the blue Xander says, "I want a mobile dick. Can I have a mobile dick when I grow up?" Andy and I were perplexed. Being male, it goes with him wherever he goes. That's about as mobile as you can get. We decided to delve a little deeper.

"Xander, what did you you say you want?"

"Mobile dick on a AT&T Blackberry Torch when I'm a grown-up."

Hmmm. Being unaware of that particular app, we decided to rewind the DVR to see if it could offer any clues. We came across a Blackberry Torch commercial about searching for Moby Dick.

"Xander, do you want MOBY Dick on a Blackberry?"

"Yes."

We're still giggling about it.

For info on joining the Special Needs Hop, click the image below.

What do I love about Spencer?

Yesterday I answered the question, "What do you love about your child?" for the Special Needs blog hop. I decided that Spencer deserves to have a post about him as well.

What do I love best about Spencer? Again there's so much, his enthusiasm, his sweetness; however, I have to say his sense of humor and ability to be funny without meaning to are my favorite things. I figure I need to revisit an earlier blog post from May for a good scenario.

• Spencer: "Frisbees are bad guys you need to hit with a bat or they'll eat your eyeballs and you become a frisbee."
• Me: "You mean zombies?"
• Spencer: "Oh, you're right, zombies." 

First of all, I'm thinking he might be a goner in a zombie apocalypse and second he still gets Frisbees and zombies confused.

Spencer also creates his own words. He's a modern day Shakespeare. His newest word is "binachios" (hard "c" sound) defined as crazy.
Examples:

• That coaster was totally binachios.
• He was acting all binachios.
• What? That's binachios.

 Spencer is constantly on. He loves to entertain. Now, some of you might think it's because he doesn't get attention because of Xander's special needs. You'd be wrong. Spencer actually gets MORE attention because he demands it more and he gets more alone time with me than Xander.

11/6/10 CORRECTION: Per Spencer, the word is not "binachios", it's "binanchios". I made the mistake of leaving out the second 'n'. Spencer has properly chastised me for such a horrific omission.

12/3/10 Update: Spencer has designed a zombie trap, so I think he'll be ok.