Pickin' and Grinnin'

Gardens are fun, especially when vegetables actually grow.

We have had zucchini and yellow squash coming out of our ears the past couple weeks. We have cooked it up with peppers and onions, put it in spaghetti, and made Meatballs Espanol. (How do you like that? Mom's old recipe is online...) I have baked it in a pie, shredded it into pancakes, and made it into bread. We have given it away to friends and family, and stuffed our refrigerator with it. I am wondering how in the world I ever paid for even one small squash at the grocery store.

Last week I sliced up a ton of cucumbers and made Bread and Butter pickles. Yesterday I made another smaller batch. Although I have more than enough cukes, I think it has been weeks since we ate tossed salad on a regular basis.

We have probably close to 50 pepper plants, most of which are some kind of hot pepper or chile. At least six are regular green bell peppers. We could never keep up with them if we had to eat them fresh, but we know what to do with chile peppers. Just turn on the grill and roast them up. When they cool off, store them in plastic bags and toss them in the freezer. They are wonderful in soups, sandwiches, eggs, and fried potatoes.

And... way out back, where the hedgerow used to be, the blackberries are growing. They aren't quite ready for picking just yet, but I definitely see some blackberry jam in our future. I had some company out there Saturday afternoon.

PS. On Friday evening we had dinner with our son and daughter in law and enjoyed some time with the grandchildren. They are a busy, noisy, fun-loving bunch! And that granddaughter is irresistible.