Storing Summer's Goodness

Today has been a busy day. I started by cleaning my refrigerator to make room for summer's goodness. You know, it's just getting started-blueberries, squash, onions, melons, and so much more.

I still had about a dozen apples from last fall. They weren't too pretty to look at; and at first glance I thought, these apples are spent; they probably aren't any good. But as I started to peel them, and taste them, I was much surprised at their crispy freshness. So, those bad boys became this.

Cinnamon Applesauce-made with granny smith, red delicious
and pink lady apples from Sugarloaf Orchards.

Then, I discovered the sugar snaps, grown by my brother at Wise Farms. Time to transfer from the fridge to the freezer. So easy to do. I didn't even wash them first. In order to keep them from sticking together as they froze, I spread them out in a pan and put them in the freezer for an hour or so. Twenty minutes would've been plenty of time as well. Then, when they were good and frozen I popped them into freezer bags. When I want them for a stir fry, or with pasta, or in a salad, I'll just grab a handful, wash and prepare. This is how I enjoy summer goodness all year long!

Money Advice

After having fallen victim to a flim-flam artist earlier this week, I thought I'd switch gears for a minute and share a bit of money advice. You know, the kind they don't teach at schools. It only comes from experience, and maybe for some it's just common knowledge.

Debit Cards - If you're like most people you rely on your debit card for your purchases rather than hard cold cash. But beware. If you or the cashier have to swipe the card twice, make sure that you check your account to see that the transaction was processed only once. If your account is charged twice, believe me, it can take 10-21 business days for the bank to get it all straightened out.

Online Banking - If you use online banking do you know the difference between available balance and posted balance? Often times the two numbers are different. The posted balance only shows what has cleared the account; so it's important to not trust the posted balance as the final number. The available balance will show debit transactions outstanding, but again should not be trusted as the final number because it is a computer, after all, and has no idea that you may have written checks that haven't yet cleared. That's why it is so important to reconcile your account. It's not that hard. Just make sure that you don't spend more than you put in or the bank will eat you alive with overdraft fees.

Cash in Hand - After  this week's incident I have discovered first hand how easy it is to become frazzled and confused, especially if the cab driver speaks broken English and doesn't have change. Or, if there are impatient customers waiting in line behind you. Just slow down. Breathe. Take your time.  Keep your mind on your money and your money in your hand, and you won't fall victim to the flim-flam man.

Nicholas

As promised here's a picture of Nicholas, who lives in a hollow tree and chases butterflies in the summertime. I wish. Instead he has taken up residence at our house and has done some serious damage to my okra. Any gardeners out there have suggestions for keeping Nicholas out of my garden?

Nicholas

There's just no coming back from this. I'm devastated.

Spring Garden Tour

Back by popular request. Yep, it's true. I'm blogging again. As I enjoy this beautiful spring day, I thought I'd take you on a walk and show you a few things growing in my garden. Brings back memories of my Grandmother Rachel who would always say to us when we visited, "Come out back. I want to show you my flowers." I didn't realize it then, but there is a sense of accomplishment when the seeds we sow start to grow and produce. Enjoy the tour! I'll bring more later this week...and introduce you to Nicholas the bunny.

Lots of Lettuce-Nothing much better than cropping a few
leaves from each plant and tossing them together for a quick salad.

Squash bordering the butterfly bushes. The rain washed away some of the mulch
revealing the newspaper underneath, which suffocates the weeds.

Day Lillies- They proliferate more and more each year! Started as three
small plants. Now they cover an area roughly 6 by 8 feet.
They will be blooming soon and usually bloom two to three times
throughout the summer months.