Preserving the Harvest

I've tried to use everything in the garden when it was fresh. It is easy to do when you have a small garden. I was given produce from friends and family and had to find ways to save some of it for later. I froze tomatoes and zucchini, made pickles and pickled radish pods, we made ketchup, and we tried to make jelly out of wild grapes. I didn't have enough pectin so I tried to get more out of apple peels. It turned into syrup which developed this odd clove aroma, possibly from the peels which my nephew thought tasted like spices. I had given everything a quick rinse.

Preserving Produce

Yesterday I made two more jars of pickled radish seed pods before pulling up the plants. I want to make room for a fall garden. I have also started drying my Tabasco peppers. I had to move them as Max though it was a new toy. I will keep stringing on more peppers as they are ready.

Steampunk Nails and Steamed Greens

I've been trying to eat my greens while they are fresh. I've steamed them and put over rice with butter and soy sauce and steamed as a side.

I ordered my Maven box for August, I chose to upgrade to the full collection. I decided to try a couple looks with Faye- a bronze color while I wait. This first one I paired with Juleps Sienna and Petites' Passion Orange.

The second one I used several metalics to try a steampunk look. I used striping tape and gem stone layered with a copper polish for a grommeted metal look. I then used nail stamps to simulate gears on the other nails. To finish I hand painted tentacles, which were harder than I planned. I had to outline so the would show up. They looked better before outlining and I should have just done them in black as a shadow effect.

Radish seed pods

My radish roots did not bulb up before they bolted. I started eating the greens and buds steamed and served over rice with butter and soy sauce. I was able to get to most of them before they created seed pods. I ate some fresh, pickled some, and may saute them as well.