Another Drought

Despite the heat returning, the canning continues.  The tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes and we accidentally knocked a few off.  

Yesterday, I baked a green tomato cake while the pizza sauce reduced.  I am so far behind on blanching greens, I feel like the day passes so quickly now.

I don't know how I pulled it off, but before I canned the sauce, I sliced up some home grown potatoes, onions, and tossed in some green beans into foil packets.  With canning season taking up the stove top, I took advantage of the grill.  We pulled the last of the steaks from the freezer, marinated them and grilled them. 

Jack Daniel's Fudge ~ Holiday Prep

Don't throw tomatoes at me, ha ha!  I spent the Labor Day weekend laboring in the tomato patch(s).

Hubby and I had to re-tie the 100-some tomato plants and finally finished them up yesterday.  By the time we picked tomatoes, it was too hot to remain out there, and too late to start a batch of anything with tomatoes.

I tried a new recipe to see if it would be a different spin on a holiday treat for gatherings.  I lined a 13 x 9 pan with parchment paper, then lightly oiled it.  You could use non-stick spray if you prefer.  I didn't use much at all really.  

Pour 1 cup of Jack Daniel's Whiskey over 2 pounds of sifted powdered sugar and stir.

Lesson Learned ~ Tidbits

We've been gardening for maybe 5 years.  I really can't remember without looking in our homesteading journal.  Anyway, we used to plant the smaller roma type tomato in our garden.

Hubby was in charge of purchasing the tomato plants this year, and he brought home a larger heirloom paste tomato.  Actually a few varieties to try.  This was a ripe one, but the sunlight was reflecting on it in the photo.  You can see it was about 4 inches wide.  It's not a beefsteak variety, but a paste.  I have no idea what the correct name was, and will be better at that next year, but these babies are huge and heavy.

Random Tidbits ~ Cowboy Candy ~ Sticky-note-itis ~ Bonfire

So, you know how I blogged about adding greens and adding the nuts, and "boom" my weight started coming off?  And my nails grew?

Well, come to find out, I found this article on "Why Adding Copper...." from Clean Eating.  Makes sense to me.  Maybe I was lacking the copper in my diet.   I knew my thyroid was wonky, but the more I read the more I learn.

And for a twist on things....

I took one afternoon off from tomatoes (hoping they didn't over-ripen), but jalapenos were having their day, thanks to someone who bought two pounds at the Farmer's Market.  That would be me of course.  The third pound came from my own garden.

More Tomatoes ~ Oh my!

Ketchup requires 10 pounds of tomatoes - 3 batches made.  More to make later I hope.

I've been successful at getting the tomatoes cut and cooked down before the sun rises, but not through the sauce maker.  Early is best when canning with sauce anything.  This was a double batch of tomato paste (20 pounds).  That is one of my smaller sauce pans - 8 inches tall, and 10 inches in diameter.  That is what it looks like before it becomes.....

Tincture Time ~ Bilberry Vinegar

(sorry for the blurry picture)

I strained the two tinctures I made recently - mullein, and bilberry.    Now I'm ready to make one that I feel will be good for varicose veins.  

It includes:

Barberry Bark
Bilberry leaf
Bilberries

However, after I got my herbs out, I started wondering if an infused oil (to make a rub) would be better?

Malfunction Junction

We've had a very busy week and weekend.  First Hubby arranged a 1st birthday party for our grand-daughter (mid week of all days).  Then we had a ton of tomatoes to deal with, and then a family gathering on my side of the family, which required me to cook.

Hence the tomatoes sat still, the garden was still worked, on, but I gotta share this ditty.  It only happens in my family.

I was so busy I forgot to pay a few bills and poo, one is late.  I'm never late.  People just need to leave me be in August anymore.  I don't even have time to think right.  My brain is not functioning properly during this ever so, full speed ahead gardening season.