We went to Michigan for a week and came back to a garden beginning to produce and flower beds that had turned suddenly into a jungle. It is nice to get away, of course, but takes a lot of prep before we leave and produces a long to do list upon return. I felt a … Continue reading First Pickles of the Season
Canning
Wild Grape Jelly
I went out in search of goldenrod and came home with a basket filled to the brim with wild grapes. We have grape vines growing up over almost every tree at the edges of our property. It feels like a never ending battle between these and the honeysuckle. Both, luckily, also provide some edibles. Usually … Continue reading Wild Grape Jelly
When life gives you apples, make applesauce
My husband and I were driving down State route 222 a couple weeks ago when I noticed a small apple tree in front of an apartment complex. "Oooh," I said, "Are those apples??!" Josh rolled his eyes and said, "I am not pulling over so you can pick apples." Well I wrote down the number … Continue reading When life gives you apples, make applesauce
Pear Season Returns
A sure sign of fall on its way is the return of pears here at the farm. We are blessed with a huge old pear tree that Frank and Rita planted when they lived here and another on our back neighbor's lot, from which I also usually get some fruit. Both seem to be some … Continue reading Pear Season Returns
July’s Abundance
July is when I start to feel the shift from all input in the garden to a balance of input and output. It's not all weeding with no reward. I love the feeling of going out with my basket and coming back with good, fresh, tasty, often fragrant food. Let me show you some of … Continue reading July’s Abundance
Garlic Infused Vinegar
Garlic chives are in bloom now. Did you know their lovely purple flowers are edible? You can add them to a salad for a fun touch and a huge hit of flavor. Or, try infusing some white wine vinegar for a lovely addition to a salad dressing. The other day I picked a basketful and … Continue reading Garlic Infused Vinegar
Chilo Chili Cook Off Today
It is a gorgeous morning here at the a Chilo Locks. There's a bit of fog over the river but it'll burn off quickly as the sun strengthens. We won't have too many more warm days like this. Come out to see the park, try some chili, have a beer even! Here's all my … Continue reading Chilo Chili Cook Off Today
Getting Ready Again
I've been busily preparing for my next event. Tomorrow I will be at the 2nd annual Chilo Chili Cook Off at the Chilo Locks and Dam. The event runs 11:30-3:30 and proceeds benefit the Clermont County Park District. The weather should be beautiful and the park there at the dam is nice in its own … Continue reading Getting Ready Again
Our New Favorite Pickles
I have always been a dill pickle kind of girl but this summer I've experimented with a couple different pickle recipes that caught my eye. I tried out my great grandma's bread and butter pickles, which turned out amazing. Who knew I could like a sweet pickle too?! Then later in the summer, I made … Continue reading Our New Favorite Pickles
Pears in Red Wine
I'm finally nearing the end of my huge harvest of pears but found one more recipe I wanted to try: Pears in Red Wine. This one comes from my favorite canning cookbook: Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff. To begin, I set my canning pot on the stove to boil and sanitized my … Continue reading Pears in Red Wine
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