Vinegar and Honey

A couple weeks ago, I was visiting Cheryl (figuratively-speaking) at Good Nuf Ranch and she was posting about pickles. (She's in Deadwood Alberta - how's that for a great town name?!) Anyhoo, I'd kept it in the back of my head - the pickles I mean - for later. A few nights ago, as I was going through my Bernardin book, I came across the recipe for the same pickles. Yesterday was Farmers' Market day, so I picked up everything I needed and today they're all put up and sitting on the counter. I didn't bother taking pictures as Cheryl's got that covered. (Besides, I was busy refereeing my offspring dear, sweet monsters loving brats children while slicing cukes.) Go take a look.

There's also a yummy-looking fruit cocktail concoction in the book, made with peaches, pears, grapes and maraschino cherries (don't let the picture on the link fool you). With the exception of the cherries, the fruit is from Niagara, the honey's from the Kawarthas and the mint is from my backyard! Yea!! (At least something grew this year.) Oh, and the water's from our well. Wa-hoo! Local water!

Sweet Sliced Dills and Summer Fruit Cocktail

Raspberry Leaf Tea

This morning, after realizing there's still some hope for peas this year, I inspected my raspberry bushes. Lo and behold, there were actually raspberries. On the plants. (The deer and birds work in cahoots, you see.) When I came in later, I mentioned the berries to Riley and she disappeared with a basket. I think if I was to retake this picture now, it'd be nothing but green. But, no matter. That's why they're there.

But that's not why I was out there. Today's plan was to preserve raspberry leaves. I snipped a bunch of the greenery and brought them in the house where they were washed and towel dried. Then into the dehyrator and, a few hours later - presto - dried raspberry leaves for tea. And, thanks to Marian, my dear sister-in-law, I have beautiful old canning jars to store them in.

These jars have old screw tops, glass lids and some of them have bubbles in the glass. The jar I've put the leaves in is marked 1936 on the bottom. Maybe the year? I don't know but they're absolute beauts.

The Herb Garden

My wee Nolie is sick today. He started the morning crawling into bed with me around 6 and complained of a sore tummy. I rubbed his belly and then he showered me with kisses. This probably means I'm doomed to catch whatever he has. Even so, there's nothing like hugs and kisses to start the day.

Right now he's playing Indiana Jones on the xbox and starting to get a bit of colour back. Hopefully, we're in for a quick recovery. My fingers are crossed.

We've had a big melting of snow in the last few days. Temps today may even hit 10. From the livingroom window, I can see some of my herbs peaking through their white winter hideaway. And my thoughts turn to spring.

There's a few herbs in the garden; things like lemon balm, chives and oregano. I suppose one could also count the coneflower, evening primrose and bee balm in the front garden, but I tend to think of those as flowers and have never used them as herbs. This year I'd like to add something new.

Richters Herbs is an incredible source for herbs. Dorito and I have made a couple of trips there and I think we're nearing the time for another roadtrip.

Do you have herbs in your garden? Which are your favourite winterhardy, useful herbs?

~Liz