Ruffled Curtains and my Pickles Recipe

Ok, I just couldn't wait for another couple weeks to go by, some of my students have tasted my pickles and wanted the recipe.  Here are some photos of the curtains...

Wish you could tell the the walls are a perfect green for these!

Here is a close up of the fabrics that I used.  I have been hoarding favorite fabrics (for I what?  dunno!) for years.  These were some from the juvenile stockpile.  Jacks and Balls, checkerboard, baby jungle animals, plaid, kids playing, and a small dot. 

And, if you have read my old posts...yes, the playroom actually moved to a different room.  I am happy with the room and the curtains.  I have a serger sewing machine, so that speeds things up a bit.  Oh, I do sell just ruffles if anyone is interested....  here is the link to my page of items for sale.   https://www.facebook.com/OneStrokeWithPam

Now...on to the pickles that are so easy and taste!  I am gonna just type in my recipe and then post the pictures.  IF I leave something out, please do not hesitate to ask!

LAZY CUKE PICKLES

6 c. sliced cucumbers (takes four or five cucumbers, pending the size of them and your slices)

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 Tbsp. salt

1 c. sliced onion, I just put in the entire onion sliced

Cut up and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Then, whip up (just give it a really good stirring) 

1 c. vinegar

2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. celery seed

Pour over the cukes mixture and refrigerate. Put in tupperware with top on and turn over after a day to let juice come out of cukes to cover.  Then, put in jars and refrigerate.

Here are the photos with my adjustments...

I grabbed the cucumbers out of my garden.  Using a slicer just makes the process speed up.  Oh, my garden... I will post a picture at the end of this blog.

Toss it all in a large zip style bag and put in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

Yes, we have used the bowl in the microwave, but it is clean!  Anywho.... the main thing ya wanna do is make sure that the sugar is stirred around really well.  The seeds are more or less just gonna float on the top, don't worry bout it.

Pour the liquid into the bag and back into the refrigerator it goes.  Na, didn't mess with a container yet.  Just left it set in there for a couple days, and then put it into some tupperware.

I don't bother to jar them, they just don't last that long.  We had them the other night with some ribs as a side dish.  I do not care for onions, and I eat these!  So... enjoy!!!  

I have started canning this year.  A sweet lady in one of my classes is teaching me.  I am really surprised at how easy it is.  I had never core and peeled a tomato before, I think you call it blanching?  How easy was that!!!  Anyway, I got a flat of "ripe" tomatoes from market for cheap and used the Mrs. Wages Salsa packet and made up a batch.  So very easy, and yummy.  I am not a spicy person and my hubby is, we both like this one!  Next on my list is the Mrs. Wages Sweet Pick Relish.  I am getting these packets at the local WalMart.  I have heard that Kroger carries some of these too.  Just have not checked.

This is the picture that I put on my phone.  Why?? This way when I am out shopping the produce, IF I stumble on a good deal ... I just pull this up and know how many cucumbers I need.  

I was startled when the lids started popping after the hot water bath, and so excited that every one of them popped!!!

These are the peaches that are now all ready to go on toast, pancakes or ice cream.  Sarah (my daughter) and I got up early and cleaned and sliced fruit that morning.  Then, Mary came over and helped me to do the canning.  It is more involved to do these than to do the salsa, so I was very glad to get the help that first time.  

I am hooked!  I love canning!  How many of you can?  What should I do next??  I got a pressure canner from a garage sale for like $20.  Best deal ever!!!

Almost forgot...this is my first year to garden, who says you can't teach an old dog a new trick?   

As you can tell by the way I have laid screens around, I didn't plan on this taking off like it is.  The cantaloupe on the top right and everywhere, and we have half a dozen that are softball sized.  The cucumbers, on the left are now up on a trellis and I will go out later today and pick a couple more.  The strawberries are in the front right corner, under the screens, but the squirrels are still enjoying more of them than we are.  There are two post that got cut off in the top of the picture, those are our tomatoes, and are just enough for "Taco Tuesdays".

One of the many baby cucumber.

And...it just keeps going and going.  We love cantaloupe, so this will be great!!!  Next year, it is getting moved over to the side of the yard where it will have the room it seems to want.  lol

Ok.  Be back in a week or so!

-Pam