What have I been doing?

written by Sue, Thursday, May 27, 2011                                   Sunny windy and very hot 95degrees..
Mother came by Wednesday, the beets were ready, she and I made pickled beets together, here is the link if you want to see how we did it... so easy...

 ........She always comes bearing gifts, sometimes it is sweets that she has made,  sometimes she brings me clothes, but today she came bearing this.... isn't this pretty, I will now try and find the perfect place for it

The photo doesn't do it justice. It is very old.

I have reverted back to my childhood, as I am now like a child wondering what treasure she will bring me when she comes again. ~smile~
We always have such a great time , and work so well together....

Here is a little tip about prolonging your celery. I wash it really well with Shaklee's Basic -H,  trim the ends off and then  place in a jar of cold water,goes in the refrigerator, it really stays so fresh and last twice as long. ~ Notice the eggs? the hens have been really showing off, and that is okay with me.

We finished preserving the English peas this week,... 36 pint jars, and 30 bags in freezer. We were so pleased.

Three guesses who Lucy is looking at, and two of them don't count. She and Mr P. like to play kick ball , she will whine until he stops what he is doing and play with her, I am not the only one who is spoiled around here. ~LOL~

Mr P picked, I shelled, I almost kept up with him,~lol~ we both are so competitive, that comes from both of us playing sports in high school. ~grin~

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me, and for all of your encouraging "Notes". I will be back tonight to visit,... I must get dressed, my favorite Guy has asked to take me out for dinner tonight, he thinks we need a break, and I will not argue this fact. ~happy face~

until next time,

Sue

BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!

written by Sue, Wednesday May 11, 2011

We like to play with snakes around here, as you can see Lucy is not to happy with it.~LOL~......This snake has been harassing me for about three years, he or she was living close around the house, eating my tree frogs and lizards, not to mention sunbathing on my porch, right in my  plain sight. I almost stepped on him or her one day as I was going out the back door to put some peas in the freezer.

Truth is,.... it is just a harmless black snake, What's that you say "How did we catch it?' Well!!!!! I was sitting on the porch steps putting my shoes on and saw him sun bathing partially under a shrub, Dh just happen to be plowing the garden, I  waved him down, and he came to my rescue once again. AHHH!!! my knight in shining armor.He and Lucy took it to find a new home some ways away from the porch.   

Number one Bud, decided to give number two Bud a good brushing. Lucy just sat and let  Mr P brush and brush. These two are the best of friends, and almost inseparable.One of these days I might come out and see Lucy brushing Mr P. lol Have I told you how much we adore Lucy? God is concerned about every detail in our lives, no mater if it is small or great. We prayed for a German  Shepherd, and God gave us one, who loves us too.

Besides chasing snakes I gathered the spinach, picked a few English peas and prepared them for the freezer.

Washed and stemmed, 

Ready for the blanch water for one or two minutes....

Placed in ice water to cool.... drained and chopped. this will make some very good spinach quiche..

Peas ready to be shelled..... I am surprised there are any in the pan, I kept eating them while I was picking. ~LOL~ When you grow your own you know what goes on them, and ours are organic, so I have complete freedom to eat while picking.

 This is my new FoodSaver, given to me by my dear sister, Mary and bil Steve, just love this machine.

Here are the peas and spinach ready for the freezer

I guess you would say today is my official canning and freezing veggies season..~smile~ I love growing and gathering my own fruits and vegetables it is one of the most rewarding things I do. With the economy like it is,.... it will help our pocketbook too.

Until next time,

Sue

P.S. I see we all survived Bloggers mishap. lol