Freezing Beans and Kale

This is my first year for growing kale.

Although the rest of my garden isn't doing all that well, the kale and beans seem to be thriving.

Freezing Beans

To freeze the beans I snipped off the stem ends while checking for ugly spots and debris, then rinsed them in cool water.

After blanching them in boiling water for 3 minutes I rinsed them again in cold water until cool.

It's best to plunge them into a bowl of ice water, but my ice maker just can't keep up and the cold water  rinse works to stop the cooking process too.

Next I put them into plastic storage bags, label them and into the freezer they go.

Freezing Kale

The leaves first need to be separated from the stems as they tend to be bitter.

The easiest way to do this is to fold each leaf in half  and tear them from the bottom up.

Then I rinse them and soak them in cool water with a few tablespoons of vinegar for about 20 minutes just in case I missed any tiny bugs while rinsing.

Next I blanch them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes.

Then rinse them in cold water or plunge into a bowl of ice water.

After they are cool I used my salad spinner to remove as much water as possible before putting into plastic storage bags and into the freezer.

It's nice to have vegetables that I've grown myself, without chemicals, all packed away for future use.

karen

On Being Artful

As I sat on the deck this morning with my cup of coffee and my copies of "Artful Blogging" and "Where Women Create", I realized I haven't had much time to be artful or creative lately.

The arrival of warm weather has brought with it outdoor activities in addition to the indoor ones that keep piling up. There just aren't enough hours in a day to accomplish all the things I want to do.

 Gardening has taken priority over spinning and other indoor activities.

These beautiful Cone Flowers are the latest addition to my herb and flower garden.

 I've added some potted moss to my indoor plants

as well as a little Patchouli.

The vegetable garden is in and beginning to sprout and I feel relieved knowing that I can take a step back to admire what I've accomplished.

When you think about it gardening IS "Artful".

karen

I Want To Play In The Dirt

I want the sun to shine, so I can garden.

I did some repotting inside to hold me over.

Some fragrant lavender and some rosemary.

My straw hat is already hanging by the kitchen door, just waiting for a warm sunny day.

This little succulent was repotted a couple of weeks ago and is looking pretty perky.

This poor little guy needs more light.

Time to move him to a new spot.

I'm not sure about this stag horn yet.

This vine seems to be happy as it is.

I'm hoping to be able to do some outdoor gardening soon.

Playing in the dirt is fun whether it's indoors or out.

Karen

What? No Dish Washer?

After only 8 short years my dishwasher "shit the bed".

Have you ever heard that expression?

I heard one of the kids say it a few years ago about a car that gave up.

I swear, ( I do swear now and then) that I laugh every time I hear that.

I thought you might think it's funny as well.

I hope I didn't offend anyone by using the S word.

I suppose it won't kill me to wash a few dishes, in fact, I really don't mind at all.

I did notify Tommy, my husband, he's in charge of buildings and grounds, so I do believe this falls under the category of buildings. I'm house keeping and decorating, and I know it doesn't fall under one of those categories. He says he's looking, but I'm pretty sure he's "Gone Fishing" to avoid the upcoming, all girl, tea party that's coming up.

Speaking of grounds, I do care for certain portions of the yard as I believe they fall under the category of decorating. That being said...here's the first blooming plant for this year in the garden outside my kitschy kitchen window.

And these are the first seeds to grow this year.

Cat Grass.

It's like having a chunk of your lawn in a flower pot.

Thanks for stopping in.

Karen

First the Bees Then The Birds

I haven't been taking many photos lately, but I had to get some of the sunflowers.  At present the bees are enjoying them, but before long they will be seed for the birds.

I've always thought of sunflowers as being "Happy Flowers".

They're so bright and cheerful looking.

This one is already bowing it's head to Fall.

Other than a few herbs and some tomatoes, this is all that is left of my summer garden.

I'm already planning what next years garden will have.

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Karen

Midsummer Herbs

The herbs are blooming in my gardens.

I grabbed some photos of a few of them while I was watering this evening.

Dill & Bee Balm.

Old Chair Back With Ivy Next To The Chives.

Lily

Thanks for stopping in.

Karen

Weeds & Tea With Lemon

Prudence is watching over the vegetable (weed) garden.

She is best friend to Hortense and her job is to protect the vegetables.

I don't know why she doesn't pull some weeds while she's there.

It's on my TO DO list.

Prudence is wearing a lovely velvet antique bed jacket.

It's stained and tattered and oh so pretty.

Such a sweet straw hat and that crocheted scarf is fabulous don't you think?

She's done a good job watching over the tomatoes and herbs.

While Prudence was watching the weeds grow, I was cleaning the kitchen and drinking tea with lemon.

Feels like summer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Karen



Homegrown

There's nothing better than homegrown herbs.

I love stepping outside in the morning and checking on the progress of my little gardens.

What a wonderful beginning to my week!

How does your garden grow?

Hugs,

Karen