My good friend, Karmen, hand writes actual letters that I am
so greatful to receive.
These special post office gifts from our Karmen include
cartoons and tidbits of news and quotes that declare the season we are in. The
letter today began with a special quote:
In the summer the song
sings itself. – William Carlos Williams
Daughter Jessie started a garden this year – tomatoes, peas,
peppers, zucchini , and cucumbers. We got regular updates on the progress of
this enriching experience. The cucumbers have burst forth with enthusiasm. It’s
pickle time!
For all the life we lived together as Jess grew up, the
preserving details seemed to have been obscured by the bounty. She had
questions for her garden goodies and she wanted answers . . . Now!
We made a shopping list for bread and butter pickles – big pans,
canning tongs and funnel, canning jars with lids and rings, box of coarse salt,
seasonings: mustard seeds, celery seeds, and the far east wonder, turmeric. Don’t
forget white vinegar, sugar, and a large onion.
We went over the process in notes – cut the cukes in 1/4
inch widths, soak them in salt water brine for about 3 hours, sterilize jars in
hot water pan. Bring the vinegar, sugar and spices to a boil. Fill the jars
with the cukes and onion. Pour the hot vinegar over the cucumbers, put the lids
on, Carefully place the jars in a big pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. Remove the jars with the tongs and let cool in
plain sight.
We got the call about 8:30 that evening: Ping! My favorite summer song.
Later Jessie said the jars are gorgeous and that she feels so good about her first canning experience,
she said she feels liberated.
Thanks for stopping by again, we love to hear comments.
Enjoy the summer magic!
Love,
Helene (author of A Homestead Decade, How Crunchy GranolaChanged My Life, Amazon e-book, $2.99)
 |
| Cooling of the Dunes 24x20 oil by Joel F Ellis A great place to enjoy summer - ahhh. |
