The Mennobrarian

In and Around the Home This Week

02:18, Thursday, July 24, 2008 .. Posted in Homemaking .. 1 comments .. Link

It's been harder to find time to update this blog as we try to keep ahead of the very, very hot and dry weather out here. Keeping things properly irrigated has become a second job, and many other things have fallen by the wayside. We were thrilled when mere sprinkles of water fell from the sky last night, not enough to actually water anything, but just enough to keep things moist. While some of you have expressed envy at our bountiful garden, let me assure you that every square inch of it is watered with my sweat! (And weeded by hand.)

In the Garden: We have been keeping a close eye on our tomatoes, and are slowly coming to the conclusion that most of them may be cherry tomatoes. Except for a few plants that have positively been identified as paste or beefsteak varieties, it seems that small green, orange, and reddening fruits are everywhere. How did this happen? Some of you may recall that our seedlings were flooded out one rainy night some months back as they were hardening on our back porch. The sudden rain storm sent us into a rescue mission of grabbing up sopping tomato seedlings before they could all float away. It seems that many of our larger varieties either did float away, or just did not recover from the flood. We planted what did survive, and are very surprised it is mostly cherry tomatoes. Salsa, anyone?

In the Kitchen: With the constant demands of the garden, it has been nearly impossible to meet some of the canning goals I set for myself. We are thankful for the bread and butter pickles and northwest cherries that I was able to process last weekend, but I was hoping to get some peaches done, too. With several healthy bushes of sweet basil, my new plans are to focus on making some pesto for freezing. It's so delicious on pizza bread.

Around the Home: We have a back door now, but not yet any steps that lead down to the ground so it is not in use. My husband built-out our hallway so it goes through to the back of the house where the new door is. It makes everything feel more open. He also re-framed the eaves on the front of our house, which were full of nesting material. My front flower garden now has a hay mulch from all of the excavated nesting debris. It really does help in this dry heat.

On the Table: Crock pot chili (providing a welcome relief from the oven), fresh fruit salad, lemonade, and our fresh basil, mozarella cheese, and seasoned tomatoes on bread.

Just Wondering: The Ohio State extension office says that cherry tomatoes can't be canned safely, not even with a pressure canner. Yet, it seems the internet is full of people who have done this successfully. What say you?
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11:43, Thursday, July 24, 2008 .. Posted by Kitty
Oh yes, gardening on a even medium scale, takes over your days sometimes. Just the weeding becomes the chore of the day. I didn't get to make one this spring but am planing for a fall one. I do hope I am able to get to it.
I have crockpot chili on my menu for next week. It does beat lighting the stove.............Kitty

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