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.

Growing?

Look! You really can take celery from the grocery store to the garden.  Just let the ends soak in water for a few days, then put it in the garden or a pot if you don't have a garden.  They have to have lots of water once they are planted in dirt.  I've read that it is hard even for seasoned farmers to get celery to grow, so don't give up if at first you don't succeed.

I posted on my facebook page that I sounded like a commercial when I posted this.  I now have 4 celery plants growing.  You have to tie them together when they start getting tall so they will grow in a bunch and not sprawled.  I am so excited to be learning new stuffs.

Well, I'm back

I am back from my long self imposed hiatus.  Have had a lot going on with fall gardens, and had some of the most amazing cabbage and sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.






My hens have grown and are producing an egg every day so we always have fresh eggs on hand.


I've learned how to use my canner I got from Santa and will post more pics later.  Until next time....

Gardening and stuff

Okay so I just posted on my facebook page that I don't know much about gardening, but I know this leaf is HUGE.  This came from one of my squash plants, and to say I am amazed is putting it mildly.

The squash are starting to come in and I find myself wondering if they are going to be huge as well.  I also have tons of flowers on my cucumbers, and was told that it was going to produce that many cucumbers...I better get busy learning how to can and pickle stuff!

Flowers on the cucumber plants.  Awesomeness!

So until next time....I better be reading the directions from pressure canner Santa gave me at Christmas!