Summertime in the Kitchen

Hello everyone... 

Happy Weekend !

How are you all making out this summer?  

We are having a beautiful but somewhat dry one!

As it seems to be in so much of the land.. 

Anyway..

I decided to do a little August post for you.. 

It is that time of year again that I love!

Pickles... I love pickles... Did you know that is a song?  😅

Well, that is what is playing in our kitchen this week!

We have not had very much rain in the Maritimes and the gardens are not all producing what they normally do because they are so dry.. 

The farmer that I buy my pickling cucumbers from called to say that he had some fresh in on Tuesday morning so I hurried down and bought 50 pounds!

That is what I usually start out with so.... 

That is what I spent the rest of this week doing... 

I hope this post doesn't bore all of you... 

I always start out by making my dill pickles first.. 

My friend Maxine gave me her recipe many years ago and it is my fave!

I always turn them upside down for ten minutes after they are filled and sealed to help secure the sealing.. 

They do this in Europe and I have found it helps a lot..

I only made 13 litres of them.. 

Terry 's fave are the sweet dill so they were done up next and there are 14 pints of them... 

I will have to hide them as he can consume most of a jar in no time.. 

lol..

They look lovely too although they tend to float if you don't pack them in.. 

I had them made before I remembered that fact so have to make a note on the recipe for next time.. 

Then I sliced up Bread and Butters to sit for awhile.. 

These are a fave of the grandsons as are the dill, of course... 

Then I managed to get the Sandwich Pickles done but probably not enough... 

I had to make the Kosher Dills so this was all I could spare for sandwiches.. 

A big bucket of kosher dill that will ferment for 7 days then I will can them for winter.. 

I love these.... 

And that is fifty pounds worth finished up.. pretty well 

A bowl is left over for salads which we love.. 

Sliced cucumbers, a small onion thin sliced and chopped dill.. 

lots of salt, hot pepper flakes, a spoon of real mayo and a cap of cider vinegar.. 

shake shake shake.  

Better then chips.. lol..

So that is my pickle journey thus far... 

We will come across some more small ones and little batches will appear.. 

I still have a couple of recipes I want to make.. 

We do not consume all of these pickles on our own.. 

I love them for my gift pantry and of course Christmas!

We are all a pickle family and they like to receive them.. 

Then any party or gathering I usually show up with a jar.. 

Do you girls make pickles... 

I am so thankful that God has given me strength and desire to keep doing these each year.. 

Another August joy are the Queen Anne's Lace flowers!

One of my all time faves..

So elegant!

I know I tell you the story every year of how this flower received her name.. 

Queen Anne was making lace... 

She pricked her finger while she was working on it and so..... 

Every Queen Anne's Lace flower has a speck of red in the middle!

That is how you recognize it and make sure you have the proper flower.. 

Especially, if you are going to consume it!

I made my batch of jelly and it turned out lovely!

If you look really hard on the pic of all of the pickles you might see a couple of jars in back.. 

I did a whole batch but it doesn't last long as it makes such a sweet gift.. 

I think I may make one more batch ... ❤ 

This is a vase like thing I made from the dollar store.. 

They had boxes with four spaces in each and packages of 4 clear bottles.. 

So...

I bought 2 of each and painted the boxes and put the jars in for vases.. 

One of my fave projects.. 

So sweet on the table too with just one flower in each... 

Not a great pic but it was so lovely early mornings with the sun shining on them..

I tried to get Terry to go for a drive tonight to pick a few more different kinds but he had to mow the lawn and told me I should do a blog post.. 😏

So I obeyed!  Always... grin..

The above are just wild chamomile I think that is what they are called.. 

they make the perfect bouquet and last for at least a week.. 

Then I take the scissors and cut them off and add to my wild flower potourri pot... 

I thought I would share our chicken story.. 

We bought 20 meatkings and they are doing so well!

Thank the Lord.

Terry and I processed 6 on Monday and are hoping to do more this coming week.. 

So wonderful for the winter.. 

A bit of work for him but he enjoys them.. 

I didn't include any food pics or projects.. 

But I am working away at stuff on these hot days.. 

Sitting in front of a fan and cleaning a cupboard or such.. 

Having lots of precious company, too!

Cousins and friends... 

Oh, I bought a beautiful sectioned thick notebook with pockets.. 

I am writing down project ideas I get off of Instagram and such, 

recipes for salves, lotions and herbal medicines, ideas for my gift pantry and such.. 

You know as I told Shonda, I think..... 

I could lose my phone or such and where would I be?

Lord forbid.. 

I just got it paid for.. smile.. 

Well, sweeties this is all for this Summer's Friday evening.. 

Where did date night go, I ask?

Just joking ... he took me out to dinner last night.. 

It was lovely.. 

So... 

Saying good bye for now as my Momma always used to say.. 

Trusting God and thanking Him for a transformed life.. 

He really performed a miracle in my life when he saved my soul.. 

Gave me a life worth living and a hand to hold no matter the storm or days of joy.. 

He is my everything!  

God bless you dearies and I look so forward to hearing from you all and what is keeping you busy.. 

Take care of yourselves and hold tight to your precious families.. 

Hugs from New Brunswick...