Pickles

So, we harvested some of our cucumbers, and let me tell you that they are good!

They are a little sweet and the skin is so thin, you don't even have to peel them. We haven't picked all of them, since some are still growing. 

You can't grow cucumbers without making pickles. That's my thinking anyway. So, that is exactly what we did.

We made two kinds of pickles, a few small jars of bread and butter, and one of dill. The bread and butter pickles were made last week,m and the dill were just made today. Really canning is quite easy, and you should not be intimidated by it. So, be adventurous and go make some pickles.

Finished Objects

     So I have been knitting, sewing, and crocheting lately and I finished some of my projects. I love to have a project finished so I can use it. I have two today, one is a knitted object, and one is a sewing object.

     The sewing object was the next one in the book I am using. In an earlier

post I talked about the book. As you can see here, the sewing project is a face mask. The face mask is the kind you put on before you go to bed. I should have finished this a long time ago, but I totally procrastinated and it took me weeks instead of a few days. I did finish it though, so that is a plus.  

     The knitted object is a cowl. 

    Here is the cowl on me. It is made from Madelinetosh DK weight yarn, and is 100% merino wool. Sadly, I don't know the colorway. I loved working with the yarn and want MORE, but it is kind of expensive. Sigh. The cowl came out really soft and it's comfortable.

     I love knitting and sewing and can't wait to start and finish more projects!

Dickens and Socks

     I am reading Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. I love Dickens. I read Oliver Twist in a few short days a few years ago, and loved it. I haven't gotten very far in Nicholas Nickleby, but I do like it. Dickens has such a descriptive way of writing that it makes me feel like I am really there. I love books like that. Keeps you reading. In fact, I will probably start reading as soon as I am done with this post.

     I went ahead and started another attempt at making socks, and so far it is going well. I love working with the thin yarn and small needles. The next time I make socks, I am going to use circular needles. I know you can do it I just don't know how...yet.

     I actually have a crochet project as well, but the sock is the one I am working on right at this moment. Guess I better figure out which one to finish first.

     

Yogurt Banana bread

     Most banana breads I have had were either dry or too sugary for my tastes. This recipe comes out moist with the perfect amount of bananas in it. I cannot tell you how good this recipe is. 
   So, put your apron on and get started.
   First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).

    Mash up 2-3 bananas in a bowl. You can mash 2 large bananas or 3 little ones. They also have to be nice and ripe. Typically with lots of brown on the skin.

    Next, you are going to add 1/2 a cup of greek yogurt, or you can use sour cream. Make sure the greek yogurt is unsweetened.

     You're going to add 1 cup of sugar. 

     Next, add 2 eggs.

     Melt 1/2 cup of butter and pour into bowl.

     Then, add in a teaspoon of vanilla.

   Mix well.

     Next, add in 1 and 1/2 cups of all purpose flour. I forgot to take a picture of this, but add in 1/2 tsp. salt.

     Finally, add in 1 tsp baking soda. Mix it together one more time.

     Pour into greased 9" by 5" baking pan. Bake for 55 minutes and immediately take the loaves out and place them on a cooling rack.

Note: The recipe only makes one loaf but I happened to be making two when I was taking the pics.

     This is literally the best banana bread you will ever eat in your life. Trust me.

Yogurt Banana bread

serves 6-8 people

2-3 ripe bananas 

1/2 cup greek yogurt or sour cream

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla 

1 and a 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 salt

Blooms

   

     Our cucumbers are doing great, I mean they are growing. What's awesome is that they are already blooming! That means cucumbers.

Those yellow flowers are the blooms, and that is where the cucumbers will grow

 

     I can't wait until they grow cucumbers. We have dill growing, too; so, I can make pickles. They will be the best pickles ever!

     The beefsteak tomatoes are doing pretty good. They weren't doing too well at first, but once we started watering the plants with the sprinkler, they grew taller.

These are the tomato blooms

     There are some baby tomato plants as well, but those aren't doing as well. There are two that are growing better, but they are still not as good as I hoped they would be. 

     The rest of the garden is almost the same as when we put them in the ground. We will just have to let them be until something happens.

Tea and Scones

     It is a little odd to have hot tea in May, but I don't think scones would be very good with cold tea.

     Sometime last week my mom wanted to bake some type of scone, so, she looked up a recipe and I made them.

     These were Toasted Pecan Oatmeal Scones and they were delicious. We added the icing which was cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar. You don't have to do the icing.

     We just had green tea with our scones. If I hadn't had the scones I would have indulged in a richer tea. I thought it complemented the scones nicely.

     We are going to try and have tea, and some type of dessert, once a week.

     So go ahead. Make a pot of tea, some scones, and sit back and read a book. That sounds rather relaxing. I think I'll try that myself.

Yarn Along

     I know, I didn't stop and think of a cool name for my yarn along today. I am really tired and am also pressed for time.

     I am reading Nicholas Nickleby, supposed to anyway. I started it and keep forgetting that I even have a book to read. You're probably wondering "Well, if she isn't reading or posting, what is she doing all day?". I have been doing nothing but knitting. It might sound good at first, but if you are knitting while watching t.v it starts to wane on your spirits. Really. 

     I am knitting a couple of projects but one is currently being revised, so I am knitting my cowl. I knitted this for several weeks just to go really far and mess up. I thought I was going to have to start over, but I was able to save it! Whoo,  what a relief. 

     I think I might pick up my book, pick up my embroidery, or practice my guitar. Basically, I just need a brake from knitting.