The Kitchen Window

This morning was an "up and at'm", beans ready to pick, onions, cukes and squash had to have the weeds pulled.  What a morning, cool with a little breeze to remind me it's time to get the garden spiffed up.  That we did, I weeded and Dick tended those nasty potato bugs that invade the leaves every year.  He shakes the plant and steps on them.  Bill Stavisky would use a brown grocery bag and shake them into it then burn the bag. Either way it's an on going job for a few weeks.  We picked enough green beans for 5 qts.  They are in the pressure canner for 25 minutes.  A good time to blog.  Later it's out to mow the back lawn and pick Kale for the freezer.

As I was washing dishes after getting the beans ready I had one of those moments that started with the kitchen window. Out the kitchen window a dove sat on the porch rail looking at me and in the lawn was a young bunny eating clover.  If that wasn't enough the chickens were coming to the creek for a drink and bug hunting along the way.  Dick was on the tractor brush hogging the upper field.  It just hit me what a beautiful life I have doing the simple pleasures of summer.  It must be the same feeling my mom had when I was young. She had a beautiful view from our kitchen window also.  Her view was the back lawn, pasture, barn and all those beautiful Holstein Cows grazing.  She not only kept the house, cooked, had a garden and canned, she also was at the barn for chores early morning and night and drove tractor in the hay, corn and oat fields.   Mom  also made most of my clothes and loved to knit and crochet.  Not once did I ever hear her complain, in fact she was most grateful for what she had and could provide for our family.  She grew up in a very poor family, the oldest child that took care of her siblings.  I never had chores to do, mom always said, "enjoy your young life when you grow up then you will work".    Della was my blessing of life.  I had 17 years with mom that ended suddenly.  I had enough love from her that just keeps giving.   Maybe she is why I love doing it all too, to prove she taught me how to live and love doing it.  Well, that was my thought of the day that has left a smile on my face.  Not to mention the dirt under my fingernails and a slice on my thumb.

Five qts of beans ready for the canner.  When canning always use canning salt, regular salt will turn the liquid cloudy in the jars.  Something else I always do before starting,  I fill my sink with water and a cup of beach,  leave it for 15 minutes, drain and rinse thoroughly.  Wash and rinse jars, lids and rings.  Ready for the fresh, cleaned fruits or vegetables.

Before you use the canner take the lid, hold it up to the light and look through the little hole to make sure it is not plugged.  You should be able to see without a narrowing or completely shut.  If it is run hot water and a tooth pick in, it will open up.  The booklet that comes with the pressure canner will be your friend to answer a question.  Read it before using the canner.  Remember my favorite saying, "I'll google that".  Works every time or call ME!

How pretty!

For quarts of  beans the pressure needs to reach and maintain 11 pounds
for 25 minutes.  Turn fire off and let pressure drop on it's
own.  DO NOT TAKE THE LID OFF UNTIL PRESSURE HAS
DROPPED AND LOCK RELEASES.  

Before starting the beans I canned the Mango/Rhubarb sauce I made last night and was too lazy to finish.  I think I have found my passion for rhubarb.  The traditional strawberry/rhubarb sauce has  turned into what other fruits can I use with rhubarb.  The blueberry was a keeper and now the mango is too.  Honestly the mango/rhubarb is my favorite.  Spoon (key is spoon, no thin layer for me) any of them on a biscuit or toast, YUM!  8 cups of rhubarb, 2 cups of fruit of choice, 1 TBSP butter and 3 cups of sugar, cook until thick. Remember it gets thicker when cool.  When I think it is done I put some in a bowl to cool.  If not thick enough back to cook down more.  Can it or freeze.

25 minutes in the pressure canner and done!

Mango/Rhubarb Sauce

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