Welcome Back to me?

Well, I decided it was time for full disclosure, something I have been putting off for a few days.  I would always like to paint a picture of sunshine and bliss when it comes to my retirement/gardening/canning etc.  However, such is not the case.

I have had to deal with bagworms getting into my Leland cypress, and Lorapedulum (sp?)  which both had to be cut down, a hen that won't quit brooding (trying to hatch eggs that are not fertilized) which has resulted in less eggs, and then tons of rain!

We had a tremendous amount of rain in June with a tropical storm passing by, and rainy summer season.  The rain just ruined my garden.  Everything turned soggy and yellow, and I had standing water for the first time ever in my raised beds. 

Before the rain set in, I was able to harvest some cucumbers and make some pickles for the first time ever.

But.....they didn't turn out.  They got all mushy and yuck.  I learned from this experience that you don't add boiling water to the cucumbers and then process them in boiling water.  It cooked them to mush.  Lesson learned.

I also made another batch of blueberry syrup which ended up being jelly.  The syrup wouldn't thicken.  The jelly was scrumptious though.

And last but not least, I successfully canned more jalapeno peppers.  I used a different recipe this time because the last batch was too vinegary.  Hopefully these will be better.

I may as well admit, I have gotten a bit discouraged.  No, a LOT discouraged.  I have decided that despite the failures, I am going to pick myself up, (slap myself around a little bit ✊) and keep on keeping on. 

I just wanted to let everyone know, but enough of gloom and doom.  I need to get to work to beat the summer rain storm we will probably have.  Be of good cheer....!

I have been MIA for the last couple of days, celebrating Father's Day and doing odd jobs, weather permitting.  We had a rain free day yesterday and look what I got.

I spent the morning gathering blueberries.  They are not very big this year, but I wanted to get them in before the tropical storm gets here.  Yes, we are expecting up to 7-8 inches of rain in the next three days due to this tropical weather pattern.  A couple of people are losing their berries to the rain.  The ripe berries are splitting and turning mushy, so I wanted to at least have some fresh ones.  There were still a lot of green berries so maybe they will get bigger after all this rain (keeping fingers crossed).  My 12 year old niece is coming to spend the day so we are going to do some fun things....inside of course.  Maybe some sewing??  Maybe an antique store?  I love antiques, cause I am one? 😁😁

Rainy Gardening

We are experiencing some very wet weather these last weeks, and while I am trying really hard not to complain, but be thankful, for the rain, my garden is saying enough already.  I am losing a couple of my squash plants, and the others are developing the white powdery fungus caused by too much humidity.

Not sure how to prevent the fungus.  (top left leaf)

However, I have found some bisqueen, (clear plastic) and I am getting ready to try to cover the green beans, tomatoes and black eye peas.  While they will get some rain, they won't get inundated (my $5 word in my 50¢ sentence😃)

Speaking of rain, I hear thunder......

Guess I'll have to get to some of my inside creativity.....

So I am checking on my little side garden (in the flower bed) where I grow my jalapeno peppers and found this.

The peppers were both on the same plant.  I can't seem to find out if maybe they are hybrid or something?  Very puzzling.  I thought the light green pepper was a banana pepper, which my husband loves, so I sent one to work in his lunch.  Guess what?  He said it was "too hot to eat".  So maybe it is a hybrid?  Any explanations would be appreciated. 
s

We've got pickles!  I spent the day yesterday canning my first ever batch of pickles.  I have let my fear dictate what I have been doing as far as pickling and canning.    It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, now we get to wait a little bit before we try to eat them.  Not sure how long we should wait, so I'll have to research this a little further.  I have six bread and butter and six kosher dills.  So excited to try them.

I was explaining to my cousin my fear of failure in trying these things.  He gave me some very good advice.  "Yes, you will have some failures, but you keep trying".  Hmmmmm, see that advice everyday on Facebook, but never applied it to my gardening and canning, etc.

Here is a picture of my second attempt at growing carrots.  So excited!

Last year one of my youngest grand-daughters couldn't believe carrots came out of the ground.  Her little eyes lit up and she was so excited.  The fact that there were none left after dinner was a testament as to how good they were.  Is it just me, or does the home-grown veggies actually taste BETTER than the store bought in cans?  Even if it is all in my imagination, it is cleaner and healthier eating, and I can get behind that every day!  Now let's go see about harvesting some onions for the first time ever!  😋

Alas, not sure how my blueberry syrup turned out.  The first time around it was more like blueberry juice so I had to start all over from scratch.  After simmering the liquid for a longer length of time I ended up with less juice.  I finally decided to add some pectin to thicken it up.  Now I may have jelly.  I have a jar reserved for a friend, so she will let me know how it tastes.  #fingerscrossed.

Now, on with the pickles.......#fingersstillcrossed

Well I did it.  I have finally retired, and loving every minute of it.  The only thing I miss about my job is I used to have somewhere to go rest. (work)  It took some getting used to, not HAVING to go somewhere and clock in.  I have been busy, busy, busy.  My garden is flourishing, but I have got to learn to stop planting so much of one thing.  I'm overwhelmed with cucumbers.  Getting ready to try my hand at making pickles.

I am currently making blueberry syrup using an old strainer that belonged to my grandmother.  This strainer is at least 80 years old.  My daddy remembers using is as a small boy to drain juice off of canned tomatoes.  So blessed to have these "memories".

Wish me luck with my first endeavor of making pickles.....#scaredycat  I am opem to any and all tips or suggestions for successful canning.