Frog in a Parsley, Shoo Fly Shoo...

Well, the blessed rains have returned!  My soul rejoiced to wake after a stormy night and see a bright-cloudy sky and breath the freshly washed air!  Hallelujah

The rains have also re-awakened the tree frogs.  Here's a Pacific Tree frog reclining on my parsley.  It's the fourth one I've seen in two days.  The kids are thrilled (and so am I).  They are such dear friends to find amongst the veg. 

Strangely, however, my grape hyacinths think it's time for them to return as well.  They are a couple-days into sprouting.  It will be interesting to see if they manage to bloom. 

Fall is in the Air - Applesauce

Nothing says, "Fall" quite like the smell of applesauce slowly simmering away in the house.  And, for us Pacific North-westerners, That wonderfully, fresh smell to the air when the rains finally return.  The Summer's dust has finally been washed away and we can breath again.

This year I made my applesauce in a crock-pot.  All the steps are the same:  peel, core, slice, reduce, season...  it just is a bit of a slower pace so that I can make it an all-day project and do it in chunks of time as they become available (those with little ones will understand this strategy).

Last year, I had an extra hand and was able to do my batches more efficiently.

This year, my son and I picked about 10 gallons of apples.  It took me two days to get them all put-up but it ended up being just over 6 quarts in the end.

One addition this year is an attempt to make Apple Cider Vinegar from the scraps.  I will let you know how that goes. 

These are the Hands 2

Now that's more like it! 
Back in January I was feeling remiss that my hands were getting soft and plump - the effects of indoor-rest season.  Now I rejoice at the dirt-caked fingernails, dark skin, cracks, calluses, hardened finger-tips...  the joy of a body well-used.  Now when I reflect on my manicure again in January, I will not feel ashamed.  I will be able to feel satisfied in a well-deserved rest for weary hands. 

Pickle Time!

It's pickle time again.  I really like my dill chip recipe from last year.  They were super-yum and pretty simple.  I used the large-batch measurements which made enough brine for 10 pints.  The first 5 pints I cut by hand to about 1/4 inch.  The second 5 pints I cut with a mandolin so they would be thinner, about 1/8 inch.  I'm curious to see how it affects the taste.  The thinner pickles were easier to stuff in the jars, but I'm not sure I got more stuffed over-all.  To find out, I'll have to first wait six weeks for the pickles to season.