In A Pickle

 

Right on cue, mid August is the time for making pickles!  At least it's time here in my kitchen. 

Yesterday morning, we admired our first small bounty of fat cucumbers picked fresh from the backyard garden.  They were washed and left to soak in a sink of ice water while I gathered up and sterilized jars and lids, and prepared the salty brine from Grandma's old recipe. 

Earlier though, standing out in the garden, I realized with disappointment that the dill I planted is not worthy.  I've been puzzling over it for months now wondering why in the world it is only four inches tall.  And it's flowering.  I had no luck with it last year either, so threw out the old seeds and bought new ones.  Dill is known to grow with very little effort.  Like a weed in fact.  The seeds scatter on their own and can result in a forest if you're not careful.  Molly is probably still contending with the 'dill forest' we left behind at our previous house.  So it's a mystery why we can't get it to grow here.

Fortunately, I know where to find a nice big bunch and sent the girls out to gather some while I peeled garlic cloves with my new gadget.  Oh, how I love this silly thing.

 
The hot summer weather crept up on us over the weekend.  Naturally, just in time for the pickling AND for the air-conditioner to unceremoniously die.  It's an older unit we've tinkered with and had repaired and coaxed along for several years now, so it really wasn't a surprise that this day would finally come. 

And when it hit 102 degrees on Saturday, I had a certain knowing feeling that this would be the day. 

And I was right!  Murphy's Law rarely disappoints.  It was quite dramatic.  Funny, but not funny.  Without warning it cried out with one loud horrible shriek just as the sun was setting.  Everyone stopped what they were doing.  Then it went quiet.  The Mister and I just froze and stared at each other.  With the same thought: $+$+$ 

Oh the *JOYS* of home-ownership.

But looking on the bright side:  We Have Pickles!  Lots of them!  And that's a good thing too because we've almost eaten them all, and there's only one lonely jar remaining from last summer.  Just one!  Soon to be opened, I might add.

Here it is, sitting on the shelf awaiting its fate.

Anyway, it's a lovely morning here in the valley and supposed to stay in the 90's today.  Electric fans are moving the air around.  The AC salesman has already been here and dropped the $ bomb.  I'm still recovering from sticker shock even with all the rebates and discounts. And those official looking efficiency ratings.  (We must not forget those.)  He thinks the furnace should also be replaced at the same time to maximize the system.  That is always one of the selling points of any upgrade--all the money that will be saved on energy and fuel costs in the long-run, and that over time, it pays for itself.  Makes perfect sense of course.  But I quickly ran the numbers in my head and came up with a thirty-year figure.  I can only hope I live that long.  I think I'll go up to the pool and think it over.  Or try and forget. 

Hey--thank you for the BOOK love!  I'm pretty excited about it!  Mostly just relieved that it's finally done.  A lot of time and effort went into it.  I can't wait to show you!

Bye for now...my dears! 

Comments

[Sara]

I am so sorry your air went outHope you are able to replace it real soon. I am really fortunate--me and my hubby that is, because we live on a military post due to my hubby being in the Army. Therefore, all of our utilities are covered. One of the few nice perks of the military. So I make sure to remember we are blessed with that!

My son would love to have you around with all those pickles! He's 2 1/2yrs old and when he sees pickles in the grocery store he screams for them:)

I can't wait to see your new book and hopefully purchase a copy. I recently got into embroidery and I am loving it so far!! I printed out your GA flower pattern the other day with the intention of stitchin' it up soon. Then I am going to do the AZ one and WI one. AZ is where we lived for 4 years and WI is where I was born and lived for 20 yrs.

Take care and I enjoy your blog lots:)

[Bean]

yum, pickles! I love your shelf wallpaper too, perfect!!

[Vee]

Pickle making is on my agenda this summer, too. My mother promised to join me for a day of it once I'm feeling up to it.

So sorry about your AC and now.they.want.to.replace.your.furnace.too. situation. May it all work out so you can be comfortable no matter the season. One thing's certain, energy costs will only go up.

Have a happy day in the pool...floating...it's a good thing.

[Jane]

I tried your recipe this year after making "kerosene" pickles last year. Yours were delicious. Will be using the recipe from now on. Thanks for sharing it!