Summer's Past

What began as a grand idea to document our adventures in our yard, garden treats, and community eats, became a distant idea. The summer season suddenly became very busy and ticked along in a summerly fashion filled with long days spending as much time outside as possible. Little of my mind wandered to the computer, alas the lack of blog upkeep. I've decided now is the time to check the blogosphere, and continue posting. New year's resolution perhaps, though I have never spent much time paying much attention to resolutions. I am determined to do this blog-thing, from start to finish. 

Summer was filled with many adventures inside and outside. We were busy making pickles, anti pasta veggies, salsa, strawberry jam, drying Italian prunes, tomatoes, and herbs, and freezing green beans . With winter upon us, we are eating a variety of food from our garden and urban scavenging adventures. Our little dog Solo continues to watch over the yard, mine for squirrels, and monitor the fence line for four-legged invaders. 

Pickles!

12 pickles, 8 pints

green & crisp

from our garden, planted seed from last year's cucumbers!

D. read somewhere that soaking in ice-water creates crisper pickles, so we did. I ate a cuc slice post ice-water soak, and it was rather crisp.  So we shall see if this ice-water does have a little magic to it.  

Planting continues

Sweet peas planted! Last year we had an abundance of sweet peas and discovered how much we love them. This year we plan to spread the wealth of the flowers and plant throughout the front and backyard. In past summers we've given vegetables and flowers to our neighbors, Tex and Mary, and will continue doing so this summer. Last year we spent time with Mary, and learned about her English upbringing and her passion for flowers. Giving her a bouquet of sweet peas gave her a such a sweet smile, which only made Tex happier! We will wait with anticipation for the sweet peas to bloom. We received black mondo grass, so D. spent time splitting and planting in small pots. Later this month we will decide where to plant the grass, along with rhododendrons, bleeding heart, and numerous hostas. We are anticipating summer warmth for our veggies, and will soon eat the rhubarb!