Many years ago, my brother-in-law James gave us two jars of Candied Jalapenos, aka “Cowboy Candy,” and I’ve been wanting to make a batch ever since. He had a prolific crop of jalapeños that year, which inspired me to start growing them myself.

After that, “make Cowboy Candy” became a permanent fixture on my Summer Bucket List and bingo cards. I planted jalapeños every year with high hopes, but my yield was always pretty pathetic. It was definitely not the kind of haul that could produce even one pint of candied jalapeños. 

Last month, during a Practice Pages session where we worked on our Summer Bingo Cards, I admitted to everyone that making Cowboy Candy had become my white whale of a bucket-list item. Well, that and making a strawberry cake. 

Sharing that was the motivation I needed…

Yes, I’m still growing jalapeños this year, and I already see a few flowers coming up. But I decided to take the power back and stop letting a pathetic yield stand in my way. I bought jalapeños, candied them myself, and HERE WE ARE. I did it. I can finally cross it off the list. I didn’t give up on myself, and I owe it to the ladies I check in with each month. 

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