Cleaning or Gardening?

We have family coming to visit both this weekend and next followed by an old friend. I have put off cleaning for as long as I can, so that is my task today. Since there is really not much of a story line or photos I'd want to share on the topic of cleaning I'm going to leave you today with some images of the flowers, herbs and a nice zucchini from my gardens.

My herb garden with Tia keeping out the rabbit.

Batchelor buttons, one of my favorites

Zinnias from seeds my friend Joan gave me.


Pumpkin blossoms! I'm hoping for 23 pumpkins!

We found this rose in the front buried between ferns getting no sun. We moved it and were gifted with five beautiful flowers.

Last but not least, tonights dinner!

Bread and Butter Pickles

I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and cucumbers were everywhere. It is pickle season!!!! I bought two pails and made some dill pickles and bread and butter pickles. I remember my mom making bread and butter pickles when I was a kid. The distinct smell of warm vinegar and spices filled the air. I didn't much care for the smell when I was a kid but my sense of smell seems to have matured and now I love it. Here is the recipe I used from The Complete Book of Year Round Small-Batch Preserving by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard. It is a nice book with all sorts of recipes for jams, chutneys, relishes and pickles that use, as the title suggests, small amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Best Bread and Butter Pickles

4lb small pickling cucmbers

4 small onions, thinly sliced

1 sweet green pepper, cut in thin strips

1 sweet red pepper, cut in thin strips

2 Tbsp pickling salt

4 cups cider vinegar

3 cups granulated sugar

2 Tbsp mustard seeds

1 tsp celery seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Cut a thin slice from the ends of each cucumber and cut into medioum thick slices, about 3/16 inch. Place cucumbers, onions and peppers in a non-reactive container, sprinkle with salt and let stand for 3 hours; drain. Rinse twice and drain thoroughly.

Combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric and cloves in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add vegetables and return to a boil for 30 seconds or just until cucumbers are no longer bright green.

Remove hot jars from canner. Remove vegetables from liquid with a slotted spoon; pack into jars. Pour liquid over vegetables to within 1/2 inch of rim. Process 10 minutes for pint jars and 15 minutes for quart jars.

Renate Hiller - "On Handwork"

As an artist I have bumped up against the some negative thoughts about why I make things. Does it even matter if I am a maker? What good does it do the world if I create these little dolls, embroideries, food or even this blog? Who even cares?

As you might expect, thoughts like these paralyze me and nothing gets created. I have cut myself off from the inspiration that drives creation.

If you too have had this experience I suggest you watch this video. Renate Hiller, Co-Founder of the Fiber Craft Studio, talks about the importance and meaning of creating, not just for yourself but the greater world. It may help you get your intentions back in alignment and the understanding to know that using your hands for creation is for the greater good.

Comfort Doll Project

"Serve the needs of others, and all your needs will be fulfilled." I just read this quote by Wayne Dyer and it helped me to decide what to blog about today.

The Comfort Doll Project was started by Pat Winters with the purpose of reaching out to women in domestic abuse shelters to let them know they are powerful and not alone. The blog and the project is now run by Brenda Hutchings but its purpose remains the same. People make small dolls (6 inches or less) and mail them to Brenda. A small card with a lovely message is attatched to them and they are mailed to women's shelters around the country.

Please go to their blog here, see the dolls that have been sent out, read the loving message and find out more. Maybe you would like to help with the project. Anyone can join in. I plan on being part of it.

Make Your Own Minion!

While I have not seen the movie Despicable Me, I think the Minions are pretty cute. If you are a knitter (and if you're not, this could be the nudge to get you to learn) go to Kat Knits for the pattern. She has very detailed instructions and they are just darling. How can you resist?

And the Winner Is....

Yvonne!

Congratulations!!!!

I'll be popping your garland in the mail and you should recieve it soon.

Thank you to everyone who left comments, followed and linked this post! I loved reading your comments!

100th Post Giveaway

I can't believe this is my one hundredth post!!!

I have decided to mark the occasion with a giveaway. As you know, awhile back I was making star garlands and posted the directions. Well, I continue to be enamoured with garlands and so will be giving away this multi-colored floral garland. It is about 49 inches long and has small loops at each end to help with hanging. I think it would be fantastic to hang at a birthday party or in a little girls bedroom window!

Now, how to win...leave a comment on this post for one chance to win, follow me and I will put your name in the hat twice, link me and it will go in three times! Your comment must be posted by midnight central time on Wednesday and I will draw a name on Thursday. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you (blog link or e-mail address). Good luck and thanks for reading! It is the comments and interactions with readers that make blogging so much fun!