lazy day pickles

Greetings all! Before I get started, the last blog was a big vent and I feel better having said it all. Life is a little more settled today and I wanted to take the time to share a taste of summer that I hope you continue to use every summer. In the height of the season, so much produce comes on at once and those that garden/cook know that it's hard to get to it all without it becoming overwhelming. So, while you can, please give these Lazy Day Pickles a try. A new batch every week keeps us going and it's a "keeper". The caterer said so....(me).


Lazy Day Refrigerator Pickles

6 C. sliced cucumbers
1 C. sliced onions
1 C. white vinegar
1/2 C. water
1 1/4 C.sugar
1 t. pickling or coarse sea salt
1 t. celery seed
1/2 t. mustard seed
1/2 t. tumeric

In a tupperware or crock you can cover, combine cucumbers and onions. In a large saucepan, combine all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Stir to make sure sugar gets dissolved. Pour hot mixture over cucumbers and onions. Refrigerate 24 hours for flavor to develop. I usually can't wait that long ! yumm yumm!!

oh pea!

I need to vent! The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of crap, heartbreak, worry, and loss on a daily basis and I've had enough! We had to cancel our July vacation plans as mom was admitted to Parkview 3 weeks ago. I don't mean to sound mean, but each time we've planned to go away, someone ends up in the hospital. The last 5 years we have been here. Anyone knows what that can do to a soul! Anyway, dad & I have been driving up and back every other day to visit her. Supposedly she'll be coming home on Monday and we've arranged for adult day care at a nursing home down the street so dad isn't so overloaded. His own health was deteriorating prior to her admission and anxiety about did him in. Losing a friend to a freak accident was very disturbing and the Wabash gossip that accompanied it was even more appalling. Shame,shame, shame on those that call themselves Christians and can't stop gossiping! I'd rather be spiritual and know I'm not to judge others. So I guess I'm pretty mad about that part of living here. Forest came down with sharp pains yesterday and ended up at the hospital for a CAT for appendicitis which turned out to be negative(hurray!) but still not feeling well and in the same day, Drew dumped his motorcycle to avoid a deer late last night and is banged up but shaken up by it all. I'm fried. \ The peas---well, my garden has really been neglected, I barely look at it, missed picking black raspberries (booooo!)except for a handful to make a pie, and pray that all will change soon. I know it's my purpose to take care of everyone else, but dang! Calgon take me away!!!!!!

Mornin' Glory Muffins

I thought that since it was a beautiful day in rural Indiana, I'd share this recipe with you. Even though the history of Morning Glory Muffins have been around forever they seemed to be on the back burner for a long time in my house. To me, they are breakfast all on their own and a good snack for some long days of activity as well. I've "healthied" them up a little since the old 70's days. This may have to appear more frequently on my breakfast menu since it's grab and run to get to the garden days!

2 C.unbleached flour 1/2 C.Chopped nuts
1 1/4 C. sugar 1/2 C. unsweetened flaked coconut
2 t. baking soda 1 apple, peeled, cored,grated
2 t. cinnamon 3 eggs
1/4 t salt 1/2 C. oil
2 C. shredded organic carrots 1/2 C. applesauce
1/2 C. white raisins (or currants, or black) 2 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt. Stir in the carrot,raisins, nuts, coconut and apple.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. Scoop into prepared muffin cups (I had them really full!).
Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack for 10 minutes then remove from pan to continue cooling. Yum!

The Test of Spring

I've counted back on my calendar several times in order to get my seeds started at the proper times, cleaned all the funky old seed trays the best they can be, mixed my starter stuff and read the labels, heat mats on and ready to go.....it's a waiting game on starting pepper seeds but if all works well then we will have some great starts. Seems as tho they take weeks to pop up but this year the garden gods (goddesses) were with me. It's nice to have unusual heirloom varieties that few in the area have. We really wanted to grow more New Mex types this year for roasting and freezing so getting a good head start on those were important. Not to mention the heirloom tomatoes that are highly desired at market. I'm hoping to narrow down the selection, but there's so many interesting varieties it's hard to do. At the transplanting stage there's usually some left over that just won't fit in anywhere so give me a call the end of May!!!
Peas are in as well as arugula, radishes, spinach, lettuces and parsley. Can't get too much ahead even tho I'm anxious to do more.
Today I'm prepping for my final exam for the Master Gardener program. Hard for an "old" mind to exercise memorization. Singing it has helped when no one is around!-I'm just hoping to not fail. Wonder if anyone has had to take it again! That would be a bummer as I'd rather be planting or painting. Well, I'm back to the books----M I C, K E Y, M O U S E (that's my song)

All the local talent

Greetings everyone! When I first started this blog, I commented on how there is so much talent in our community that is unappreciated or taken for granted. I'd like to focus on recognizing each and every person I find in the area that has their own unique talent . One at a time of course and it's going to take a long time to make it through the realm of creativity we have! Please do recognize too, that http://www.honeywellcenter.org/ is a great source of what's happening in the arts all around us. They are dedicated in spreading the word and letting us all know how and when to educate and entertain us in many ways. But, last night (& other times) I took a class on bracelet making with Candice Cooper. Ok, so she's local for US, but she's internationally known to others in the beading and crafting world. To take it lightly that she does classes here sooooooo inexpensively is an understatement. What would one pay to attend a really great artist workshop anywhere else? Anyway, I really love my bracelet project and hope that her business thrives-doing classes in our town is a crumb off the cupcake for her, but I really appreciate it. Her current blog is http://candiecooper.typepad.com/ so check it out for upcoming events.

A New Day

Indeed it is a new day and a beautiful, frosty one at that. Living in the Midwest is like the tundra to me. After 22 years away and in mild winters I think winters are just plain nuts. Guess that's why I go into hibernation mode. Today, however, the sky was so pastel as the sun was rising and the trees glistening with frost and it was calling me outdoors at 8am.
It seems apropos to call it a new day since today is a new day for our country. Regardless of your choice of presidents, America is facing so many challenges that never is it in the hands of one man (or woman) to make it all happen for us. Take your stand-make a difference in your daily life whether you touch someone spiritually, emotionally or not, let this day be a beginning of change for us all-friends to connect with, neighbors to help, family to call on-what is everyone waiting for!!

December's soup

Ok, normally I'd be typing fast as I could if I had a new dessert but the weather made me write this instead. About 18 degrees and gloomy justified trying a recipe that I've been looking at for a while. I'm on an email list for 101 cookbooks that is creative, healthy, and wonderful looking food that has thought put into it. http://www.101cookbooks.com/ if you want to check it out. In November, I printed the recipe for Baby Lima Soup with Chipotle Broth. Ok, it may sound a little boring, but this mornings creation was anything BUT boring. I followed the recipe with the exception of using some stock (veg) instead of all water but to each his own. All the ingredients are accessible locally which is great to not have to dash out of town for an obscure item. Ok, I'm getting back to wrapping gifts and contemplating a cup of tea..