Sally's GF3 thread

[Sally PB]

We just got back from my neighbor's Celebration of Life. A few weeks before she passed, she told me she wanted a gathering in a park, with games for the kids, and an ice cream truck. This is exactly what it was. It was lovely. I was so happy to see so many people there. Jamie touched a lot of lives.

RIP, Jamie. I sure do miss you.

 

[Sally PB]

Canning season has begun. I picked a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes yesterday and turned them into 5 quarts of canned tomatoes today. 1 failed to seal, but it was probably because a seed siphoned up between the rim of the jar and the lid. We used that jar to make spaghetti sauce for tonight's dinner.

I did not have ANY blossom end rot on any tomatoes! BER was the scourge of my tomatoes last year. I did have a lot of cracking, however. It has been feast or famine with the rain and ugly-hot at times this year. I've watered several times. It's not a gentle shower from a sprinkler, but a pour on of a quart or two per plant. So that's more feast/famine.

 

[Iluveggers]

Canning season has begun. I picked a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes yesterday and turned them into 5 quarts of canned tomatoes today. 1 failed to seal, but it was probably because a seed siphoned up between the rim of the jar and the lid. We used that jar to make spaghetti sauce for tonight's dinner.

I did not have ANY blossom end rot on any tomatoes! BER was the scourge of my tomatoes last year. I did have a lot of cracking, however. It has been feast or famine with the rain and ugly-hot at times this year. I've watered several times. It's not a gentle shower from a sprinkler, but a pour on of a quart or two per plant. So that's more feast/famine.

Glad they have started! Ours are still very green…anxiously waiting for tomatoes & cukes! First pole beans yesterday and zucchini have been steady coming!

 

[Sally PB]

Today was Freya's yearly physical at the vet. Nobody got bit, she got all her shots, and they got the blood drawn. But it was a disaster. Even with calming meds (gabapentin), it took hubby and I and a vet tech to hold her while the other tech drew blood. Next year we will definitely use the muscle relaxant they recommended. I cannot go through another vet visit like that.

I don't know why it is so stressful for her. None of our other dogs have had this problem.

 

[Sally PB]

In much better news... It is raining!

 

[cavemanrich]

it took hubby and I and a vet tech to hold her while the other tech drew blood.

If I was in Freyas' position/situation,,, It would have taken 3 additional techs to hold me down.

 

[Sally PB]

I picked 3 ripe habaneros today! I've never picked them in July before. Ok, it's the 31st, but it is July.

I also picked some jalapenos and tomatoes. Hubby will make and I will can salsa tomorrow.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sally PB​

I also side with your thinking, of a freeze dryer not being cost effective. 3K is a chunk of change. I also dispute the thought that a dehydrator would rob the nutrients. and a freeze dryer would not.
I have no need for ether, since no produce to preserve.
Long ago, I did do some pickle canning in jars. That was looooong ago. Now I just grow flowers. I do have a single large container pot of 2 varieties of pickles growing. We eat them with dinner as they are producing right now.
Oh,, almost forgot. do have a small pot of Sweet basil, Parsley, and Garlic chive. Get out there and snip some as needed for cooking.
And I did try to plant some corn in the garden. That is mainly for decorative way it looks. Not doing all that good,, but again,, I did not expect to harvest for personal use. I know Rocky Raccoon would beat me to it anyways. They do need to eat also.

 

[cavemanrich]

Oh did I mention that my flowers do attract many bees,, They, are likely my neighbors honey bees nearby.
And slightly different bees.
Mason bees ,,I have set up housing for then in 2 separate spots in back yard. They help with pollination.

 

[Sally PB]

When I plant flowers, I look for varieties that honeybees will like. Other pollinators are welcome too. Except yellow jackets. I had planted some bee balm, and the honeybees ignored it. Bumble bees liked it, and so did yellow jackets. I ripped it all out.

I asked someone at the bee club why the honeybees ignored it. The throat of the flower is too long. Or their tongues are too short.