Harvest, canning, too many pickles, and zucchini gone wild. This week the canner came down from it’s lofty perch on the laundry cupboard. In some ways, I love this season and in other’s I struggle. But more about the happenin’s as we go along.
The sweet corn lasted about five days. We managed to freeze seven bags. The weather turned rainy and was not comfortable for blanching the ears et cetera. I know it’s always a disappointment to the folks when everyone doesn’t take more. But this “work-a-day” world is not the friendliest for drop and do corn days like we did in the past. And the large family hubbub does not do them any good at their half past an hour age. So there went the corn. My allergies were so angry during the tasseling that eating it seemed against the rules.
The zucchini is going hog wild this year. Of course we planted too many, but I just love the pepper relish. I wish the other things like zuch noodles were more appetizing. But the zucchini chocolate cake was good! Oops. One row is a piece, right?
This is the year of the cucumber apparently. I’ll be doing another batch of refrigerator pickles as soon as hubby brings me another bag of sugar. They are so delicious. And this year I made them zesty with some ground hot pepper and pickling spice. OOOH!
We have been enjoying the zinnia colors this year. Took them into the house several times. And shared bouquets at church a few times. My attempt at the Market on Wednesday was a fail. Only three of the ten sold. The other seven went to the local nursing home for enjoyment. Oh, well. Will change it up next week and see how they sell. (Note also that picnic tables at that shelter are larger that I expected. The twin xl sheet did not fit, now I have to buy another cloth!)
We are still watering Cocoa’s tree as the skidster is in repair mode. The gas tank was not pumping the gas into the engine and it kept stalling while in use. Very annoying. So the Maintenance Man in the marriage took it all to pieces and is trying to find a pump for the tank now. And since his day job keeps him busy during the week, the repairs will wait until next Saturday.
The kittens are growing up and still finding plenty to amuse themselves with. Zucchi found a frog the other evening while I grilled the steaks. It was so funny to watch him jump just inches from the little frog. Pepper snook into the house the other day before morning rounds. She was in the house for nearly an hour by herself. The only damage I found was a little canister of marbles she had fun playing with. Of course they were on a window sill that she tried to be on watching us outside. Charlie is still quite the barkiest dog ever. He has taken to barking at EVERY vehicle that goes by. Uff day. Take a rest, boy!
My book reading took a time-lapse. But I am trying to find another. I listened to one that was such a “worldly” metaphorical mystery, that I thought it was time to get back to my spiritual foundations. I tried an R. C. Sproul and sped it up. I found a John Piper and nearly fell asleep. So no I am trying one of Jodie Berndt’s “praying the scriptures.” It is also much predictable, but so far all good remixers.
Still crocheting the backpack bags though I keep thinking of other things I could do. Making a list to refer to later. Maybe my interest in the same old thing will wain and it will be time for a new pattern in my brain.
The eyesight loss continues to be irritating. Recipes are now mostly google reads. Trying to remember more than two ingredients at a time is a chore. The spices are indecipherable. The lid labels are way too tiny and finding the right one has gotten me neither canned from the kitchen duties. Ground Cinnamon and Ground Cumin might have a similar labels but are not the same at all! I have not broken any jars yet this season. Hitting my elbow on the canner as I aim for the microwave above has left me a permanent bruise mark on the right arm. And I still can’t find those veggie hidden in all that dark foliage.
Nothing like a bunch of addendums to the writing. However, the allergy quotient is full up and am now on the steroids to make it through the fall season. So there’s that. And once again the discussion of how the acreage is getting to be too much for us to take care of. Doesn’t help that hubby works so many hours and then the entire weekend is spent on acreage clean up. (The ragweed and other weeds are in their full potential and causing much air pollution.). Well, enough is enough and on to the next topic.