Fresh From the Garden.....

Well I told you that we are growing our first garden this summer, using the square foot gardening method.

I just wanted to update that we are still loving our garden and overall, everything is doing great!

I have learned that organic gardening is not easy.  I hand pick squash bugs every morning and stay on constant patrol for aphids.

  At one point, when the squash bugs were multiplying so quickly I could barely keep up with them, I considered using a pesticide from my local garden center, but at the last minute I changed my mind, and reminded myself how that went against all my beliefs.  I did end up losing two butternut squash plants, but I'm still glad I didn't resort to pesticide use so at least I can feel confident in the safety of the squash I do end up with.

We've started the process of pulling up some of the summer crops, like bush beans, to make way for the Fall plantings of greens, pumpkins, corn and carrots.

It's a baby watermelon!   I'm just hoping Felicity doesn't get excited and pick it off as she has done a few other things.

Having a garden has given me the chance to try things I never have before, like pickled green tomatoes.  

I had heard of pickled green tomatoes and was curious what they tasted like, so this week I decided to pull a few green tomatoes and make some.

You don't actually have to "can" these.  You just put the ingredients in the jar, put the lid on and throw them in the fridge and supposedly they will last for a couple months.

I followed this recipe.  They turned out pretty tasty.  

My next experiment will be with making some spicy pickled cucumbers and peppers.  Like the tomatoes, I'm not going to do the "real canning" thing, but just do the refrigerator canning.

There are a few new designs available in our shop.

Including, these pink petti rompers & top hats.....

and black petti rompers & feather beanie hats.....

and my new favorite..... black & pink elegant satin headbands!

  

Have a great week!

-Pamela