Hi everyone. Happy new week to you, and hello to everyone who stops by Bleubeard's and Elizabeth's blog for T day.
So what's new with me? By next T day I will have had my first physical therapy session, but I must say since I've been resting my shoulder, it is improving. That is good news. 😊 Hopefully in another month I can go out and do some heavy duty yard projects that were on my agenda for this year. But if it takes longer to feel better, it takes longer. Getting the shoulder/rotator cuff improved is the most important thing.
This past week I went out fishing one day (didn't catch a thing), went over to Maine to go to Costco, and rested my shoulder. Luckily we had some beautiful weather so I was able to do a lot of afternoon resting in my hammock with a good book, and maybe, but I'm not 100% admitting to it, I also took a couple of nice naps in between pages of my book. 😉
I've also been picking lots of things from my garden, including a whole lot of cucumbers and zucchini. I made 2 loaves of chocolate zucchini bread (sorry forgot to take photos- I gave one loaf to my daughter and have frozen the other one), and I also did some pickling.
My first pickling project was to make some chunky sweet pickle and onion relish. I halved the recipe for the cucumbers and onions because I didn't need jars and jars of relish. You can see in this next photo the pre-soak with some salt. If you aren't familiar with pickle making, the salt pulls out the excess water, which you then drain before you finish.
I wasn't sure how much pickle juice I would need with my chopped veggies, so I made a full batch. I actually only needed about half of this, which make sense since I only made about half a batch of chopped cukes and onions.
I decided instead of wasting the extra juice, and since I had more cucumbers, I would make some bread and butter pickles.
Here's all my finished canning after I put them in jars and then processed them in boiling water.
Before I filled any jars I took a photo, and I happened to get my mug filled with some homemade ice tea. Here's my drink for T day this week.
I'm letting my pickles and relish sit a few weeks to really flavor up, and then I'll be having some. I can't wait to try the pickles especially. Usually homemade pickles beat the kind you buy in jars at the store.
That's all for me. Wishing everyone a happy T day and week ahead.
16 comments:
I haven't done any canning in at least 10 years. I'm impressed with your bounty. You will have relish and pickles running out your ears. I was glad you shared your iced tea with us, and I also noted your teapot, too. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos of the processes you went through to make these pickles and relish for T this week, dear Erika. I agree that homemade is always better. And thank you again for the great gifts and beautiful card.
...in the past I love to make pickles until last year when I cut my finger! Yours look great.
The relish sounds and looks so refreshing...just the food you need for hot summer days.
You have been busy making yummy stuff!-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
Erika. I had SOOOO much to do, I planned it all. Back, now foot and leg and I can do nothing at all.
I feel with you... and yes, I nap a lot, too. Think the body needs this?
To making your own food. Have a great T-Day, hugs
Our pickling days are done but our beets remain the best ever. We always had fun doing it, too. Hope your shoulder improves soon. All the best - David
There's nothing like homemade pickles and relish! Glad your physio appointment is coming up!
We don't eat enough pickles to can, but my best friend does. Did you know that pickle juice is the best and quickest cure for leg cramps?
Busy, busy kitchen Erika and mine looks much the same, nothing beats homemade produce.
Due to the unusual dry hot weather over here the fruit has really suffered, dropping early and not keeping and since the hosepipe ban the veggies and toms as well. Weekend spent on pasta sauces and soups, today apple pies and Vic plumb crumbles, freezers near to bursting. Tomorrow seed Vic plum jam.
Doubt there will be much pickle though as cues just not good, onions very small and rabbits and birds (so hungry with brown pastures) eaten well into the caulies despite netting.
B x
I very happy your shoulder is doing better. Ohhh laying around in a hammock that's the life my dear friend, naps and all. LOL I'm thrilled that you are harvesting from your garden and that you did a bit of canning. I so miss it this year. I told Mr. M. if there was ever a year NOT to have a garden it's this year. LOL I know your pickles will taste amazing. Have a great day today.
We do miss pickles and pickle relish, which isn't even a thing here. The pickles are OK, but different. I bet yours will be fabulous!
Lounging in the hammock sounds heavenly. Himself made some freezer pickles. Hope the shoulder feels better. Happy T Day
Well done you for doing all that pickling. My husband used to make pickles but I don't eat pickles so there's no point.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca
Glad to read that your shoulder is feeling better and resting in a hammock while reading and napping is certainly good therapy, Erika. The canned pickles look good, but I am not as much a fan as my husband.
I'm so glad the shoulder is improving. And that relish loos wonderful! Yes, one can only do so many jars!
Glad to hear your shoulder is doing better. My wife has always enjoyed pickling veggies, and is doing more of it now that she has time to work on her garden. Blessings!
Post a Comment