Thursday, July 30, 2009

Garden Boasting










One of the reasons I never post. I am always out here in this 1/4 acre defending my organic dreams against earwigs, rolley-pollies, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, birds, cats, and every noxious weed known to man. It's a job, that's for sure. In addition to what is pictured here, there are also 6 fruit trees and two other beds. We've already enjoyed a bountiful pea harvest and many ripe zucchini, crookneck and tomatoes. The lettuce is producing marvelously, as are the herbs and peppers. This very night, we are planning a total garden salsa for dinner. I plan to barter with a friend for her cilantro, so, if she's reading this...you know who you are, I can trade you some tomatoes for some cilantro...





Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Apologies and New beginnings

First, I have to apologize for not posting at all for such a long time! These kids being home for the summer is kicking my butt. So, some updates, #1 is that Senior graduated from high school and turned 18. So, technically he's not a Senior anymore. I should have seen that coming, huh? I'm going to have to think this over... #2 is TGH and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. What a milestone! The sad part was that neither of us even remembered it was our anniversary unti about 10 o'clock that morning. We were all obsessed with the fact the the freezer didn't seem to be freezing. Our breakfast conversation consisted of whether or not to vacuum the coils with the shop vac or the vacuum. Romantic, eh? I hope we kissed...I don't remember exactly. Cub Scout had a pack meeting that night and the older kids had church youth activities, so by the time we actually got to see each other AND remembered the anniversary, it was after 8pm. We fled to our favorite taco shop and held hands over pico de gallo and refried beans. Ok, what else is new? #6, our special needs son, had a grand mal seizure that lasted 20 minutes this past weekend. Very scary. We had to take him to the er and then spent the night at the hospital, waiting for his temperature and his white cell count to come down. He's home now, and we are trying to decide if putting him on a long-term anti-convulsant is the right thing for him. So, there's a few summer updates. Like my sister, I too have zucchinis galore and am using them with reckless abandon. I plan to can some relish with them shortly. More on that later. By the way, let's call Senior....Alex.

Friday, July 24, 2009

apricot syrup, jam, and pie filling!


Here are the results of my busy day. Thanks to my sis for good advice on the syrup (just jam without the pectin) and to Great Grandpa for his food mill. (made it so easy) Don't forget to note the temp on that thermometer in the backyard!

Back to Apricots!

Okay, I went and picked more apricots from mom-in-law's house. Now I am actually canning instead of just drying and freezer jamming. This will probably prove less enjoyable because I will not be in my air conditioned kitchen (ahem). I will be using the camp chef in the backyard in the 100 degree weather. Curse the glass topped stove.

Monday, July 20, 2009

zucchini!

I know, some people cringe at the sight of the word zucchini at this time of year but I say, bring it on. I've got a great zucchini bread recipe (that I'll post on the cooking site) that I've already made four loaves of. I also made some chocolate zucchini cookies that the Professor thinks taste extra good when they're hot from the oven. (I got that recipe from allrecipes.com if anyone is interested). Tonight I'm thinking about adding zucchini parmesan to our dinner, which we love to have this time of year or maybe checking out the recipe for ratatouille. We just bought that movie for the little girls and the Professor thinks the actual food might have zucchini in it. We shall see.
I am actually really enjoying spending my days working in the kitchen. Being busy like this makes me feel like I'm finally resurfacing after being pregnant and having baby. (It's about time- she's 9 weeks already!)
Anyway, happy baking/canning/ using zucchini to me and to any of you out there doing the same thing. Have fun with it. :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Apricots!

Apricots are ready and thanks to my dear mom-in-law my little gals and I spent the morning picking them. Now we are home and I am trying to decide what to do with them. I realize I have a lot of apricot jam and apricot butter I haven't used from last year so I'm thinking of drying most of them. I am also looking into making some freezer jam but we are very limited on freezer space- if anyone else hates those bleeping side-by-side fridge/freezers, raise your hand! Nothing fits inside but I admit I do love the crushed ice option in the door. :) Anyway, on to apricots! yay!