Corn ~ Tiger ~ Cake and other ramblings

I have gotten 70 cups of corn in the freezer, and have 10 more to get done today.  After that I pass out the remaining ears of corn to my family and friends.

When I start removing the corn off the cob, Tiger comes a runnin'.  He is so funny.  I gave him an ear to chew on and when he left the kitchen I picked it up.  Later he came back and I ignored him.  He got around my leg and was back kicking me and then bit me.  Ha ha!  I gave him another.  

We have our daughter's boyfriend's family coming for dinner tonight, so I baked another zucchini cake.  I will put a glaze on this one before they arrive.

I finally got in touch with Mom.  She is so funny.  Always out and about.  I wanted to ask what she needs for her birthday, but she refuses to let me gift her anything.  If I get more zucchini, I'll be delivering her cake and something else homemade.  She loves homemade/handmade anything.

Today, we un-bury the tomato patch.  It's full of grass.  No big deal, but with the tomatoes turning red, I need the grass out so I don't get ticks on me.  I wear muck boots, but still.

I got an order for 4 of the jar grippers I make.  I need to make 2 of them to get the colors she needs, but I'm thrilled for the sale.

I'm trying to locate organic / non-gmo corn grits.  They are sold out on the site I order from, and Amazon has prices so high it's ridiculous.  If you know where I can find them, please shoot me a comment.

We are all getting through day by day.  Minute by minute.  When I am busy, I am fine, but when I stop I have anxiety and whatnot.  Daughter is having a rough time yet.  I do thank you all for your kind words, good mojo and prayers.

Green Pepper Pesto ~ Library ~ Tomatoes

I've always associated "pesto" with greens.  I was intrigued when I found a recipe using green peppers as the base.  The recipe is from a library book I borrowed - Preserving the Harvest.

I got two lovely green bell peppers from the garden, and had basil, so I gave the new recipe a whirl.

I decided to make a pasta pesto using this pasta.

End results.  Who knew that green peppers would make a great pesto.  I'll have to make this and freeze some for winter.   I am still hoping I get 16 ripe bell peppers all at once to stuff and freeze as well.

Apparently, the library kept my inter-loan requests, but put them all on hold back in March.  Items starting coming in last week, but they sent them back.  I just had so much going on with the passing of the boys.  Daughter stopped and picked up what they had.  A few crochet books and a movie.  All of the canning and herb books had been sent back.  I have no idea what they were.

Finally seeing these turn red.

Freezing Corn

First, I do not like the new blogger at all.  Oh my golly.  I reverted back to the old, sent my feedback, and hope they get the picture.  

It's that time of year again for freezing corn off the cob.  I'll be back at it today.

We had a few beautiful weather days (days I call great camping weather).  My tomatoes and hot peppers don't like it, but it's been nice to have a break from the heat.

Cowboy Candy and other ramblings

Yesterday, the first thing I needed to do, was to put up the 4.6# of jalapenos I picked.  I needed 3# to make the cowboy candy.

I got that canned, but it takes a lot of time to slice up those babies.  The remaining will be frozen today hopefully.

I have been able to crochet more of the jar grippers.  I will get them up for sale as I get more colors made.  I have already sold the first six I already made (not pictured).  I'm told they work great and better than most that are made (my "gripper" has smaller holes that what my Mom was given and she loves it).  I think people are buying the "gripper" part from the Dollar Tree, and I have seen it and didn't like the look of it.  I purchased a different type (better brand) and am glad I did. I use a smaller hook and a cotton thread.

Apron Time! ~ Sweet Pickle Relish ~ Zucchini All Day!

My husband went back to work yesterday.  It's time to get back to cooking and baking and getting my kitchen in order.

First I had to put away a stack of clean dishes, then it was time to start chopping.

My first batch of sweet pickle relish was canned.  So thankful for the cucumbers and green pepper from the garden.  It was too early to dig up carrots, but they are growing.

Baked a zucchini breakfast casserole with garden zucchini. It was fantastic.  I used one from AllRecipes and used up some zucchini.  So good!

Baked a Chocolate zucchini cake, because we could all use some comfort food right now.  I thought about adding a glaze, but decided against it.  The reviews said it would be a very moist cake, and the glaze would make it softer too.  Boy is it good too.  I swapped out half the oil for home canned applesauce.

Dinner?  Meatballs with home canned hot pepper mustard sauce over quinoa and zucchini/corn off the cob saute.

Brought in 4.6# of jalapenos.  My job this morning - can most of them.  My tomatoes are not even ready yet, so no fresh salsa sadly.

As for the "order" in the kitchen?  I officially dirtied all the dishes in the entire kitchen.  Today is clean up day, because I just plain ran out of time (after I can today).

This and That

A lot has happened in the last few days.  Lots.  So much I need a getaway to clear my head, but that's not happening until later this month.  I got our camping trip booked.  In fact I booked two camping trips.  A third is being looked into as well. 

Friday, Hubby went up to the Big City to get all the title work and license stuff done.  All their computers were down.  Drat!  We have a lot that needs done too.  Gah!  Found out the next day the computers were not really down.  They just said that due to an employee having the virus.  Via a good source, we found this out, and we were told they didn't want to cause panic (hence saying the computers were down).

We have been getting a good amount of rain.  So thankful for that.

I brought in another 3.4# of green/wax beans, 4 bell peppers, 3 cucumbers, and some zucchini.  The zucchini is larger than I'd like, but it's getting grated up for freezing.  

The coop is here.  It took a lot of friends and family to load, trailer it and unload it.  Now we try and squeeze time in to hook up the electric, tweek it a bit, and get it painted.  It will be moved where those trees are behind it.  That's another job - getting rid of the trees that are around a cement slab that was put in years before we moved here for a chicken coop.

My remaining hens are all shook up right now, so I've been trying not to drop their food too fast, as it scares them.   Oh, the coon got my rooster now too.  

I asked before, but what can I used up Kamut flakes with?  Besides granola.  Any ideas would be very helpful.

Exhausted

I woke up emotionally exhausted this morning.  Yesterday was the service and celebration of life, followed by a private dinner.  We stayed with the family until late and I think I went to bed at almost midnight.  Unheard of.

It was the hardest day of our lives.  Youngest was given the strength to get up in front of everyone and share her story.  She also shared a song her boyfriend sent her when she was having a hard time and played that.

Youngest's boyfriend was the hardest working young adult I have ever met.  He was so kind and positive and always willing to help when needed.  He will be missed.

Not sure how we'll get through the day today.  Thank you all for you kind words, prayers, good thoughts and mojo.  It's been a rough, rough time lately.