:: Fermenting ::

Fermenting

So have you heard of "fermenting"  ?

It's nothing new, it's been done for quite awhile now.

But it's new to me - I'm using my new Crock - a special

birthday present from my thoughtful Hubby.

Here you will see my one gallon Crock (purchased from Amazon) is nicely packed with 2 heads Cabbage , 2 red onions, 

Minced Garlic, Spices and Herbs, (did I put in a chopped bell pepper..) and salt water brine. All mashed down to pieces and then when the brine had covered the veggies my weights were placed over to hold it all underneath while it sits and bubbles into fermention. Haha.

The upside of it all is that you get a natural high quailty dose of Probiotics from your food; it is naturally preserved without any work at all really on your part; and you are not heating or vinegarizing which kills off the beneficial bacteria. 

SauerKraut anyone ?

I'm following these instructions basically - and my house totally smells like cabbage and onions and it's only 4 days in. =)

On the knitting front, because there is always a knitting front,

...... I have almost finished a beautiful new Elizabeth Shawl by Amy Miller. Baby Alpaca / Cashmere / Silk . This is something to dream about. Off now to play cards with my boys ! We had such a wonderful homeschooling week - amazing life. x

The End of Summer :: in the garden

Oh, the end of Summer.

August.

It's hotter than a .... well you know so I don't even have to say it.

Well I am picking and drying and thinking and sweating.

Still knitting, thru sticky hands and sweaty brows - and I must

admit these winter sweaters do make the anticipation of fall exciting to think about.

But there's no time for that right just yet ------ the tomatoes are just starting to turn green.

Because we grew ours from seed.

And I thought they were never, ever going to 

make it. 

So it looks like we will be canning after all !

{Johnny's already been at it - and cutting the peppers and onions with his shades on in the kitchen. I must monitor the situation and make sure he doesn't give too many away. Cause it's GOOD.}

He brought over all his 'cooking gear', including his grandmother's recipe. 

And my own grandmother ? 

Liked his better than mine !!! 

This sweetest little babe of ours

he just loves the flowers and herbs and plants about.

He is growing and changing and ever so loving.

He can now reach up up up - in his little exploring 

nature has found where mama keeps her buttons,

and sewing notions, and pots and pans.

He loves smelling flowers and spotting bees and ants 

in the garden. He will get down and rub the growing 

pumpkins and winter squash and right now

he is eating watermelon a'plenty.

We were lucky to see my bestie and her sweet little ones yesterday, and were left some yummy fresh picked blueberries.

So tomorrow 

I am thinking

a fresh pie

Oh yes, it's been ages since I rolled pie crust

Come by, won't you, and 

have a piece with me 

dear friends.