August 29, 2011

  • It's that time of year when the hard work of tilling, mulching, feeding, irrigating, weeding and who knows what all, pays off!  My sister Beth came over this morning to help me pick beans, way beyond the "call of duty."  She's been our chief weeder this summer and the garden looks beautiful.  But not only that, the garden is finally starting to really produce.  It started out so slow, because it was so cold, then it got blistering hot for a week or so (don't even remember how long!) and then the nights turned cold and we were afraid of some freak early frost.  But, it's seemed to settle down a bit and we have gotten lots of green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, yellow squash, some tomatoes (they are just starting to ripen), onions, garlic, corn, dill, grapes, green peppers, okra, and the list goes on.  It's also the time of year when we are exhausted, Beth, Heather and I from "putting up."  I'm so thankful for our bountiful harvest, but am always glad when we aren't so overrun!  Heather and I were talking the other day about how popular it is to grow a garden and learn to can or freeze the excess.  I started in 1980 when my neighbor down the street from our first home in Aztec, taught me how to "can."  I've been so thankful she took the time to teach me.  But, I think for the most part when times get a bit easier, the popularity of "putting up" (and I DON'T mean with your husband or kids!) will fade!  Why?  Because it's so much WORK!!!  It sounds very romantic to say you are "green" and you eat "local" or organic, but when it involves as much work as it truly does, I fear the novelty will wear off.  I hope not, but it probably will, except for the few weirdos like us out there!

    Today's canning will be Dilly Beans and if I feel real energetic, peaches, or peach jam (bought from our local orchard near here.)  But I have to say going out just now to pick my dill for the Dilly Beans, I had to smile...........is there anything that smells so wonderful as fresh dill?  (I had to chase the bees and butterflies off of it....felt just a wee bit selfish for doing so, but, Dilly Beans HAVE to have DILL!!!)