I Can, Can

The farmers are most generous and send me home with loads of fresh produce. To get the most out of these healthy treats I have had to beef up my canning skills. I haven't been canning in 20 years.  But with the help of friends I have a colorful pantry.

I had two big bins of tomatoes which I turned into jars of stewed, spaghetti sauce, and tomato jam.  The jam is more like a dipping sauce for crackers or tortilla chips.  It is definitely a specialty item to give as gifts. 

After peeling and seeding I had these two big containers of tomatoes. 

I also canned beans at Amy's house.  Beans require a pressure cooker which I do not have.  The pressure cooker makes things go fast.

While we waited for the beans to seal Amy played me a song on their pump organ.  So wonderful and nostalgic.

Here are the beautiful beans.

Then I went to Elizabeth's to make red pepper jelly.  Elizabeth has a science degree and it really shows when she cooks.  She isn't a bit timid about experimenting with flavors.  We made several batches of red pepper jelly using a variety of different vinegars.  We used white, white wine, apple cider, and balsamic.  The balsamic didn't jell but it makes a fine red pepper reduction.

I had Mikkie try the tomato jam and she was really impressed.  She said she could eat a jar by herself in one sitting. 

Not all the veggies are in jars.  My freezer is full, too. 

My Other Job

 So between working for my gardening clients and working at the Goetz Farm, I was asked to make a sign for market.  Both pictures were taken today.  I made a lot of progress today . . . in part because I had a dream that ultimately said , "Feed your inner child."  It means I need to start doing what I enjoy.  I can't say it was all fun making the sign.  This was my first time carving wood. I have a lot of hours invested in this project, so there is a good chance I won't get paid for my (amature skills) time.  Still, my vision for the sign came true, it is folksy, naive', and fun.  I hope the Goetz family loves it.  Also, it will be hung at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.  I think the sign will fit in with the A2 vibe.

Rhino-eggplantitis

Did you know that some egg plants are born with a nose?  That's 3/4s of a face!  Where there is a face there is personality. 

Over the Moon

WoW!  Carrot Cake Moon Pie with cream cheese frosting!  I should have bought more than one.

The Frog Prince's Garden

I bought this concrete planter several year's ago at the Farmers Market.  The little shrub came with the planter.  Last week I was about to trim it up when I thought . . I'll turn it into a heart.  I am so glad I was daring enough to try.  I want more bushes to shape up.  For inspiration to attempt topiary art read The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg, also see the documentary A Man Named Pearl.

Back into Running

I have a little garden job helping out a women who had some health issues this past spring.  She is a very kind hearted person and has several rescue dogs, nine plus one she bought.  I call her home the Ten Dog Farm. 

The dog she bought is one crazy dog.  He is some kind of terrier and he has so much energy! 

I actually picked him up today and took him for a run.  I said I wouldn't tire him out.  There was a reassuring moan, "Oh, please tire him out.  He has too much energy."  So Cooper and I took a run together.  He is a natural athlete and he is very protective, he HAD to stay between me and the road.  He kept an eye on every car that went by only veering to the right to see cars approaching from that side. 

I had a great time.  And running with a dog was another little dream come true.

Another Blessing

There was a new honey vendor at the farmer's market.  The vendor told me about the nectar sources for the honey he and his wife sold.  This particular batch, from Northern Michigan, helped to pollinate cherry blossoms and star thistle. 

But, in a box behind his table he had two honeycombs that were produced by bees in Georgia.  The nectar source was pimento blossoms.  The vendor GAVE me one of the combs!  (SO BLESSED!)  I brought it home and put it in my honey comb dish.  I don't think I have ever used the dish before.  I bought the dish at an antique shop in Brooklyn, MI for $8.00.  Notice the bee hive on the base and the bees on the lid.

And yes, the honey is so yummy.  The grandkids tried it and approved of it also.

Firefly

I'm reading The Firefly Letters by Margarita Engle. 

"Cuban fireflies are the most amazing
little creatures I have ever seen.
They flock to me at night,
resting on my fingers
so that, while I am sketching
and writing letters,
I need no other lantern,
just the light
from their movements.
This beautiful passage struck me . . . abundant fireflies curious about people, perhaps
attracted by our infrared radiation, and I'm sure each of us has our own special glow based on what we are thinking and feeling.  

As I like to do every summer's morning . . . I took my cup of coffee outside and sat on the stoop drinking up the sweet and simple joy of cool air and bird song.  The cat greeted me and then I saw a firefly flying low.  It landed on the house.  I thought it must be confused.  Shouldn't he be sleeping?  But, just then it notice me and flew over landing smoothly on my knee.  It crawled a bit and made and sudden take-off, perhaps to find some dark and quiet place to sleep.  I'll bet he had a wild night and hadn't made it to bed yet.

In case you haven't done this before . . .  try to see the fireflies in the country, look over a long stretch of field to marvel at acres and acres of fire light sparks filling the up the atmosphere.