storing the harvest

OK. I have said on more then one occasion that I have been up to my eyeballs in tomatoes. It's true. I don't dare say how many pounds of tomatoes I've canned. But, it's a lot. Believe me. I also said I had lots of plans for my tomatoes, and I did. But due to rain, horn worms, chickens, and a new crop of tomatoes we have never planted, we didn't get much. Will never do that again. Hard lesson learned on our parts. But we are fortunate that we know other farmers that had a bounty. And I'm very excited to say that everything I wanted to do with tomatoes I was able to do!!!  So thankful for that!  So...

Here they are! This is what you are looking at from left to right V8 juice, Tomato juice, Salsa, Pasta sauce, Soup starter, Canned tomatoes, and the little one in front is Pizza sauce.
There that is what I've been up to and that is what my tomatoes are doing now. The above is the reason I haven't been blogging or commenting on your blogs lately. But I'm still around. Just been busy. Now you know!
Have a great day all!

storing the harvest

Seeings how I'm canning the stuff now I figured I'd give out the recipe before it's all gone by and you can't try it.
So here she goes...

Start out with a bunch of this stuff, minus the cucumbers...and add some onions. Then...

Then chop it up. Then...

Throw it in a big ole pot and cook it for a while. Then...

Put it in some jars, pressure can it and tada!! Your done! Looks easy enough right? What is it? Oops for got that part. It's soup starter! We love it. When I want to eat it I fry up some sausage (rice, or chicken)  and then add soup starter, cook up some angle biscuits and have a nice warm supper!
Here's the recipe if yer interested...

***Disclaimer! Can at your own risk! Know what you are doing before you start!***

Soup Starter
Saute 1 onion in 1/4 C E.V.O.O (I like garlic so I put some in there too)
Then add 6C zucchini (I use summer squash, can use both)
3C Tomatoes (without the skin)
1 Carrot (I use more, and eyeball it)
1/2t salt
1/4t oregano
1/4t basil
1/4t pepper
1 bay leaf
Cover and simmer 15 min covered
Uncover and simmer 15 min
Put in jars and pressure can 10lbs for 35 minutes
1 batch makes about 2 quarts!
Happy canning!

bountiful and thankful

I can go from nothing to OMW!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at what I mean!

 This is the biggest melon we have ever grown!! Whoot whoot!!We have a couple more, but not this size. I hope to pick them and eat them. All warm and yummy and juicy!!! Oh ya I'm into it!
The best way to grow melons, in  Maine, is black plastic and mulch, they like peat moss. I didn't know that..now I do and will try that next year. But they did grow on black plastic. So I guess one outta two isn't bad. It usually isn't warm enough long enough here. But this summer...

I moved some weeds. OK, I hauled out a bunch of them and low and behold I have a pepper plant growing in the melon patch! I'm not sure how that happened.  I have 9 pepper plants I think. This is the only pepper I've yet to find. This is the first year I planted peppers.

We like beets around here. Harvard beets or pickled. With this years crop I plant to make only pickled.

Now try not to drool all over the tomatoes. Hehehe, naw just kidding I'm trying not to drool all over the tomatoes. Really. I didn't grow these beauties. A fellow down the road did. We bartered for them. Shhhh don't tell anyone! bhahaha
I won't beat a dead horse with the whoos of my tomato plants...again... but I can lay claim to the rest of the produce in the picture! Yup all from my garden. I'm pleased with what I got.
 My green beans are a flop this year too. Just when I was thinking I wasn't going to get any beans this year my neighbor came over and said I could go pick his, he had tons. So I ended up going over and picking his. Then my SIL said I could pick her beans, because she had enough. So I did! So I'm thankful for the beans I got.
So thankful for it all actually!
SO now tomorrow I'll be chained to my kitchen and stove, canning!!
What about ya'll? What's going on with your gardens? Any flops for anyone else, or just me?

the month of august, so far

I realize my posts are far and few between this month. There is a reason. It's simple really. I call it life!
 I've been chained to my kitchen stove. haha Canning season is here for me finally. I was up canning one night, er rather morning until 1am when I finally crawled into bed. I'm finally done making pickles. I've never had so many! I may end up with a few tomatoes. Not only are my chickens eating them, but now I've got horn worms. Awesome. So I went and ordered two bushels of tomatoes, local folks. Gotta do something. I had the kitchen full of produce, and canning jars. No table, floor, and counter space for anything! I've since cleaned it up and put things away. I still have jars in the kitchen waiting for...you name it!
We got some rain one day, all day..about 7 inches! The next day was nice and sunny and the land was dry! Oh it's dry here. Now today it's raining off and on. No picking beans today, maybe tomorrow, or Monday.
There was one week I went to town just about everyday. Not fun for me. Then one day I left home at 8:20am and didn't get home until 4ish. Driving all over the place.
The kiddos school portfolios are done, and they passed! Yay! School books are all ordered and on there way to me! Plan to start soon...
My husband has been busy with work as well. Now he's got some wheat, and oats to combine! We didn't grow it. But we get to keep some of it! He's excited to be able to do this too. Something he enjoys doing.
I swear with all the heat we've had this summer my kiddos have grown a foot each! Not to mention how their shoes no longer fit them,  they run around barefoot all summer long. When we leave the house I make sure they have flip flops to put on to go into the stores. What a chore they think! Shoes! I remember being the same way though, now the thought of going bare foot makes my feet hurt!  I notice how tall they are when my oldest two give me hugs. They are almost as tall as me. Sniff sniff. And the youngest two are in a race to see who can be taller. My baby is quickly catching up to her older sister...and has definitely lost the "baby" look of her this summer. Sniff sniff. Oh how fast it goes by, and wish they could just be little again. I didn't see it when they were all little, but now, oh how I see how fast childhood slips away, and now they are growing and becoming some amazing young people! I'm a proud mama for sure!
The critters keep me busy too. When it's so hot they drink a lot of water, as you all know. Just regular stuff you know. Nothing new there really.
The laundry continues to be going...everyday. 
How about your month of August?

small harvest

So where have I been? What have I been doing? Not on the computer for sure! Two good questions. Grab some Starbucks Lemon Loaf and sit down and see. Oh you don't have a Starbucks near by because you live too far in the country to do downtown and get some!? Well then just make some. It's really good!
See...

 Or just make some of these...

On the left you have Thin Mints. The right you have Tagalongs!
Oh yes I did make them too! With one of the kiddos. But my husband had the camera, so no pics of making it. If you want the recipe leave me a comment! I'll share them!
Now on with the stuff...

My SIL came over. As she and her family do lots of, and we go to her house. Anyways she was out in the barn while I was milking and she said I should show her how to milk sometime. I looked at her and smiled. "OK." I finished milking the back two quarters. Then showed her how to milk. She got down there and I was like "Oh no, now it's your turn to milk. Might just as well start now!" I moved off the stool and let her have a go at it. I had to get the camera and take a pic. She didn't want her face on there so I zoomed in on her hands.  Now I have a relief milker!! We usually wear gloves, and milk in a stainless steel pail, but I was going to dump this for the pigs so no gloves and a plastic pail!  See...

This was back in 2010 when we first got Maggie, and she came fresh. See her little bull calf in the back?! He's peeking over my shoulder. We lost him. But now have a healthy heifer from her! I've also gotten better at milking and much more comfortable milking now. I still enjoy it. I've been milking lots lately too. Takes me about 20 minutes to milk start to finish. I think that's pretty good, if I do say so myself!

 Had to bite the bullet and buy a new canner. The one I had my mom bought me at Walmart a very long time ago when I first started canning. I've been able to get replacement parts for it all along, until this year. I can no longer get parts, and I needed a gage. So I got a new one. Not at Walmart either. A hardware store and the Presto Brand, and I know I can get parts for it!  So I've been canning. Not as much as I have in past years due to the late start due to rain, and now due to lack of rain.

I've gotten some green beans. They are my favorite thing! Not much though. I'm thankful for what I have gotten so far.
And

More Garlic Dill pickles! So many cucumbers! I've also enjoyed many cucumber sandwiches too!
I also canned soup starter!

I think some of you were waiting for the recipe. I haven't forgotten! It's coming!
And

plain Summer Squash. I plan to saute onion and garlic with some E.V.O.O, then add some Kielbasa, and throw in the summer squash, this winter. When it's done I like to put some Parmesan cheese on it with some salt and pepper. yup, I like it! Something I like to eat in the summer, and figured it would be good in the winter too. Also some sort of cheese sauce if I can get the recipe! (A different recipe from the before mentioned)! Just some new ideas on what to do with the food I grow for winter. A little summer when it's cold out is nice!

Other then regular stuff like laundry, barn chores and house work that about sums it up. Haven't been to the ocean. Gotta go soon though!
I've ordered school books for the up coming school year. Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready..

you asked for it

Now I'm so happy that my garden is FINALLY producing something!! Now I can get busy canning. With all the rain and cold we had to start the season I feel like I'm behind. I kinda am. I'm usually canning beans by now, and I have yet to fire up my canner:( I know they are coming because I weeded and picked beans the other morning, but they went to the pigs. I got maybe 1 quart outta all my beans. The pigs liked them. Oh well. I have a feeling I'll have so much to can in a few weeks I'll be crazy! I say that every year and I get it done. I get a little grayer every year. Hahahaha, thank goodness for hair dye, and a fabulous salon I go to! But check this out!!!

I can't lay claim to the amazing tomatoes. Mine are still green. But they are native to Maine, and local, so they count in my book. Besides I currently have 36 cups of summer squash in my freezer. I'm going to make soup starter. I made it last year and we love it!!!!  I'll show you, don't worry! ha
But someone did ask if I would share my garlic dill pickle recipe. I believe it was Kelly. Now I'm gonna pause and see if I can be techno savvy and post it here... Nope no idea how to do that. Any tips? I'm not computer savvy. I can hear my sister laughing at me now. I'm sure she can picture me sitting here trying to figure it out!! Anyways
I made Garlic Dill Pickles this afternoon. Oh how I love these! Now lets make pickles...

Disclaimer... Can at your own risk! I've done it for years and have never had a problem. Know what your doing before you get started! Save money and eat healthier.

 The obvious...

 Pickling Spice wrapped in cheese cloth

Water, cider vinegar and salt. I use sea salt, in case you didn't get that by the picture. I've never used canning salt.

 Oh yummy! Garlic and fresh dill. Nope not grown at my house. Both are local. Someday when my husband doesn't till my garlic in and my animals don't eat all my herb garden stuff... oh never mind..don't ask.

 Alum. Keeps 'em crunchy. Throw it all in a jar. I've got some from last year and they are still crunchy.

Boil the water, salt, and vinegar. Throw in the pickling spice and boil it for 10 min.

Put your hot lids,and screw cover on, and cover with a towel. Listen to the popping sound! It's music to my ears! Wait one very long month before you open them up! Better then store bought!!
Recipe
3 C Cider vinegar
6.5-7 C water
little less then 1/2 C salt
Put 2 T pickling spice in cheese cloth and put in once everything is boiling. Boil 10 min.
In jars
Fill with cucumbers. Toss in 4 whole garlic cloves, and 2 sprigs of fresh dill. 1/4 t Alum powder.  Pour hot vinegar water over. Seal with hot lids! 1 batch makes about 4 quarts.  Let sit 1 month before eating! Enjoy!
Have a great day!

produce

I'm so excited!! I know my fellow garden blogger's would be too, or are. Depending on where they live! I have gotten some Summer Squash out of my garden!!!!!! My first fruits!!
Whoot whoot!!! See

 I picked three of them!! I plan on using most all of them in my soup starter. I may have to freeze them while I wait for..

 these beauties!!! They are loaded with tomatoes, and I'm sooooooooooo excited. (In case you didn't notice)!! The only draw back it it's very dry here now. I need to water the gardens. It's not a drought like out west as I've been reading on others blogs, and I'm thankful. We just need some rain, like some of you do.

If you look real close you'll see tons of blossoms and some small cucumbers!! I can't wait to sink my teeth into a nice fresh cucumber sandwich! I just love 'em. Oh and my garlic dill pickles! My mouth just waters at the thought!  Yummmmmmmy!!
Well I just had to share! I'm excited at the prospect of a good garden harvest. At least I pray for one!
Have a great day all!

garden update

I thought I'd show you my garden. One is doing really well and the other, not so much. Coming really slow, but I'm still hopeful it will do alright. Don't have much to say today so I'll let the pictures do the talking for me.

 Love the way these onions look!

Carrots for my baby.

Tomatoes. I have 29! Only lost one to all the rain. Well one more may or may not make it, but I already have tomatoes on them!!! Have lots of plans for them, so hope they do well. Got some more weeding to do. The pigs love them!

 Summer Squash!! Have plans for this too. They look good.

 Cucumbers. My mouth waters at the thought of a fresh warm cucumber off the vine, sandwiches, salads, pickles oh my!!

 Melons. They took a beating with all the rain. I hope they produce something. Sorry about my flip flop clad toes in there.

Green Beans. Oh so sad looking. They are my favorite thing, and they look pitiful. I hope they do produce. This is the second planting.

 Beets. Ya I know I need to weed them. The skeeto's came out the other night and I had had enough. My Man tilled the garden the other night too, and I weeded in-between to get the big ones. Still there is always more to be done!

Flint Corn, with no picture. Maybe next time.
Have a great day all!

hooorha!! i have onions!!!

Yup I do. I just love onions too, even though my family tends to poo poo them. But I'm the cook so I put them in everything! Brwhahahah! Evil I tell you.  hehe
I've been busy cleaning my house. Gotta "catch" up after a long year of home schooling. So much to do. Organize, rearrange clothing now that summer seems to be here... I hope. Moving things around and my favorite part, purging!!! Oh how I love to get rid of stuff!! I hate stuff. Too many times that's all it is, just stuff, and it needs to get out of my space. I wonder where it comes from too, because I have no idea. We have a society of stuff. Gotta have stuff, when we really don't. It clogs up your life and your space. Space I would rather just have empty space. I mean look at all the self storage places, people have clogged up their space and need to rent more space. I'll get off my soapbox now.
Now what does all this have to do with onions? Well I needed a break from cleaning, and I went out to see my gardens! Apparently onions LOVE water. At one point they were literally under water, and I thought, well there goes that. We had lots of rain. Well now we've had some really nice weather and my goodness the onions have just taken off, even when they were under water. Just happy as could be. I was told by a friend of mine that onions do like water, and I would agree with that. Learn something new everyday.
See... I know kinda bleary, poor ole camera...

They are huge! The soil is still wet from the rain and kinda packed down. And the weeds are still alive too. They live no matter what!
I also have  about 10-11 bean plants that are up. hahaha, don't laugh! Not nearly enough. They don't like the water as much. My peppers and tomatoes wellllllllllllllllll we shall have to wait and see how they do. Gotta get some fish emulsion on them and hopefully they start to look better. Everything else is ok, but need to replant some things. Oh well. Everything is not a total loss and for that I'm thankful! There is still time. So need to get that done!
and the house work... Gah! 
Have a great day all!

gardening time

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OK I feel slightly better now. Not really. We planted our gardens the other day. It was beautiful out! Nice and sunny! Our little seedlings were doing so well. That night we had a light rain! Ah perfect. Then I look at the 10 day forecast and now I want to not have planted our gardens. Basically they are calling for rain, rain and more rain, oh and some thunder storms for the next 10 days. Fantastic! Now where is that sarcastic font? It's poring out there. I have a feeling one of our gardens will be a wash out. It's low enough and if this rain keeps up it'll drown the seeds. I'm concerned about the tomatoes. I have 30 plants! I really need them to do well, we want to save some seeds from them, and I need the tomatoes. I'm just praying that it really doesn't rain that much, and things will look better. I'm just not really wanting to look at the 10 day forecast again for a few days! I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. Here are some pics of the gardens.

 Ah the wonderful tomato! I love tomatoes!! I'm not one for going barefoot in the garden, or ever. I don't really care to have the dirt in my toes. My hands, that's another story. I love dirt under my fingernails and covered in warm dirt. During canning season my hands are usually stained from what I'm canning. Carrots and beets are the worst. I don't mind though. I know, I'm weird. I'm ok with that.

 More tomatoes. I have 8 pepper plants too.  I just really hope they are not green peppers. Yuck. The pic on the package was purple, so I'm going with that.  The rope is so I can keep the row straight. Drives my husband crazy if they aren't. I just laugh.

 My loves. Planting carrots. My boy every year gets his tractors and plows and plays in the garden with them. He's over there in the tomatoes. The hay field looks amazing. Too bad it's not ours to hay.

One of the kiddos took a picture when we were planting onions. I zoomed it and cropped it and just got our hands. I love this picture.

 Here is garden one. It's the one we started in, and over the years have gotten bigger. And now we have..

Garden number two! This one has never done amazing. We piled the manure on it over the winter to let it compost down, put more manure on it, and tilled it all in. The soil looked so different afterwards. So we are hoping that the manure works.The rototiller, corner of the horse fence, and bike add to the pic don't you think?!

Oh and with the wool, I was asked a couple time what we do with it. Currently nothing. I have a spinning wheel that my husband bought me, and yes I spin wool and love it, as do some of the kiddos, one gal in particular. But I'm hopeful to getting it washed, I could, but really don't want to. A friend lives down the road spins wool and has offered to help me with the washing of it, and maybe I'll take her up on it. I just haven't gotten around to it. When/if I do I'll let you know and snap some pics. I have worked some of the wool "in the grease" and it's beautiful!
 I have more posts of what I've been up too. So come on back! Have a great day all!!

updates

OK, so I have a few updates on things I've been working on, and ya'll asked me to let you know how things turned out...so here it is.
Oh and yesterday I dropped my camera in the horse's water troth while I was washing it out, so I don't know how much longer it will work. That otta almost seal the deal to get a  new one. Not cool.

Not the greatest picture of the seedlings, but it was raining on them when I took this picture. They are adapting to the outside nicely. They are almost ready to sleep outside full time and are getting huge. I can't wait to get them in the garden. The other day I got to till the garden with the tractor. That was fun! Now both gardens are ready! We made them a little bigger this year too. And we'll be planting in the next week. Memorial weekend we always plant. The earth is warm enough now for everything, and shouldn't have any more frosts. Talk to any of the old timers around and that is what they all say, to plant Memorial weekend. So that is what we do. And have always had success!

My second batch of Komboucha! The kiddos and I love it! I have just put these in the cupboard to get a little fizzy and flavored. The one on the left has blueberries in it. You can see them floating around in there! The other one is just regular. I'm still not 100% of the taste. To get it just right, so I'm playing around with it. But so far I'm happy with how it's coming along. Something new to learn!

Here is the baby blanket I've been working on. It's almost done. A few more rows to finish it off and then tuck in all the loose strings that you can see hanging out! The pattern was new to me, but once I got it figured out and didn't want to poke out my eyes with the knitting needle it want quite well. ;-) The rows look like they area at an angle. Kinda cool!
So there you have it. 3 very different things going on at my house. Have a great day all!

seedling update

So we had a relatively quiet weekend. Thankfully. No more blowing away buildings. Got the tractor tent set back up too. I didn't do it though. hahaha
Been a busy few days for me. And rain. Only Monday so far has been nice, and not so windy it chills you to the bone. Had the fire going to keep the chill out!  The grass and leaves on the trees are coming along beautifully. Almost time to mow the lawn!
Here are the seedlings! They are doing well I think. We have been putting fish fertilizer on them once a week, and they seem to really like it! Praying for a better harvest of tomatoes this year then last. They got the blight late and rotted on the vine :-( So I had to buy tomatoes.

tomatoes!!!!

tomatoes!!!!

peppers

melons. they are kinda hawk eyed due to one of the kiddos running into them and knocking them on the floor. thankfully they didn't die!

Thats about it! Have a great day.