Busy, Busy, Busy!
I have picked so many blueberries this week that I have been dreaming about blueberries. Literally.
The bushes have been so abundantly full of berries- I can pick blueberries for 2 hours on one bush, and it will look as though I haven't even made a dent in it when I'm finished.
So far, I have put up about 40 quart sized freezer bags (some half full, some full) in the freezer, and still have a basket that I picked this morning to put away. We've given away several bags.
In the picture below, you can see the already frozen bags on the right, and the non-frozen ones I just put in bags on the left.
Along with the Blueberry Muffins, Blueberry Cobblers, Blueberry Preserves, etc.... Yesterday, I decided to make a Blueberry Milkshake. It was the perfect thing to hit the spot after being outside all day...it was so cooling and delicious!
I didn't have a recipe, just eyeballed it. Just add milk, sugar, fruit, and ice, then blend. You can't save any for later...it'll curdle. So if you make some for yourself, be sure to make only enough for the present!
I still had some plums to put away last week, and made some more plum preserves- canning preserves is fun!
Remember how many Jalapenos I had from my mom's garden? I decided to make Green Dragon Sauce with part of them...very easy to make, and very hot!
I also got a suggestion from one commenter, Saunya, to make Jalapeno Poppers to freeze. Well, I began them with the intention of freezing them, but between my brother in law, my husband, and I, we consumed them all before they were even cool! We made 48 one day, and about 35 more two days later. That used the rest of them up! Here is the recipe that Saunya shared with me:
Only, when I made it, I left out the breading and just used the cheese. It was absolutely delicious! (note: if you take the seeds and veins out of the peppers, you can reduce and even completely eliminate the heat!)
Last night, I was in the yard and tasted one of the apples from our tree. They were ripe enough to harvest finally! I picked a 10 gallon bucket full of them within 20 minutes- we have enough on the tree to probably fill at least 10 of these buckets:
That was the EASY part. The hard part was to come. I spent about 3 hours peeling and coring the apples. I thought it would never end! I'll be freezing the apples today.
Peeled:
Cored:
If anyone comments and I don't reply right away, this is probably why. I've been so busy, and I may even have forgotten to respond to some commenters. I don't mean to...it's just so hard to remember sometimes!
If you ever ask a question and it takes me over a few days to reply, feel free to ask again, as many times as you need. I will definitely answer as I'm able!
The bushes have been so abundantly full of berries- I can pick blueberries for 2 hours on one bush, and it will look as though I haven't even made a dent in it when I'm finished.
So far, I have put up about 40 quart sized freezer bags (some half full, some full) in the freezer, and still have a basket that I picked this morning to put away. We've given away several bags.
In the picture below, you can see the already frozen bags on the right, and the non-frozen ones I just put in bags on the left.
Along with the Blueberry Muffins, Blueberry Cobblers, Blueberry Preserves, etc.... Yesterday, I decided to make a Blueberry Milkshake. It was the perfect thing to hit the spot after being outside all day...it was so cooling and delicious!
I didn't have a recipe, just eyeballed it. Just add milk, sugar, fruit, and ice, then blend. You can't save any for later...it'll curdle. So if you make some for yourself, be sure to make only enough for the present!
I still had some plums to put away last week, and made some more plum preserves- canning preserves is fun!
Remember how many Jalapenos I had from my mom's garden? I decided to make Green Dragon Sauce with part of them...very easy to make, and very hot!
I also got a suggestion from one commenter, Saunya, to make Jalapeno Poppers to freeze. Well, I began them with the intention of freezing them, but between my brother in law, my husband, and I, we consumed them all before they were even cool! We made 48 one day, and about 35 more two days later. That used the rest of them up! Here is the recipe that Saunya shared with me:
Jalapeno Poppers
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) package shredded monterey jack pepper cheese or extra shap white cheddar
25 jalapeno peppers, seeded and halved
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry seasoned breadcrumbs
oil for frying
1 (8 ounce) package shredded monterey jack pepper cheese or extra shap white cheddar
25 jalapeno peppers, seeded and halved
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry seasoned breadcrumbs
oil for frying
wear disposable gloves/or plastic baggies while working with peppers &
be careful to not touch your face.
Only, when I made it, I left out the breading and just used the cheese. It was absolutely delicious! (note: if you take the seeds and veins out of the peppers, you can reduce and even completely eliminate the heat!)
Last night, I was in the yard and tasted one of the apples from our tree. They were ripe enough to harvest finally! I picked a 10 gallon bucket full of them within 20 minutes- we have enough on the tree to probably fill at least 10 of these buckets:
That was the EASY part. The hard part was to come. I spent about 3 hours peeling and coring the apples. I thought it would never end! I'll be freezing the apples today.
Peeled:
Cored:
If anyone comments and I don't reply right away, this is probably why. I've been so busy, and I may even have forgotten to respond to some commenters. I don't mean to...it's just so hard to remember sometimes!
If you ever ask a question and it takes me over a few days to reply, feel free to ask again, as many times as you need. I will definitely answer as I'm able!
Posted by Bethany at 7/9/2008 10:49 AM 
Categories: Random Thoughts,Getting Organized,Canning and Preserving,Cooking,Garden
Categories: Random Thoughts,Getting Organized,Canning and Preserving,Cooking,Garden
Bethany, Your cooking skills are amazing! Did you learn all of this from your Mother or Grandmother or are you self-taught?
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Janet, I only knew how to cook 2 things when I got married- speghetti and lasagna. Things like ramen soup probably don't count, I guess. lol I always wanted to cook but wasn't allowed to most of the time, when I was growing up. I think every day is a learning experience for me!
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Okay, so I just stumbled onto your blog today...can't even remember where I linked from.... but I was wondering. All these blueberries and apples - do you live on a farm or just have a garden, how do you have access to all these wonderful things? I am thinking of starting a garden in my backyard, but I grew up on the concrete in L.A. so I have zero knowledge how to do it...but I get more motivated each day by blogs like yours! Thanks!
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Can you say COVET!??!?! I would DIE to have access to the fresh fruit you have. All we can grow out here in AZ in citris. Oranges and lemons o'plenty.
All I see is the price tag of $4 per pint for blueberries at the grocery store. And I have the most amazing blueberry pie recipe, too. (*sniff*)
Have you thought about investing in one of those apple/corer/slicer things? It's one of the best $20 gifts I've ever gotten. I peel and core a dozen apples in a just a few moments. My husband and kids are even willing to help b/c they think it's fun.
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Can you say COVET?!?!? I am so jealous that you have access to so much fresh fruit. I'm paying $.50 per apple at my grocery store and $4 per pint for blueberries. All we can grow out here in Phoenix is citrus. Oranges and lemons o'plenty.
Have you thought about buying one of those apple corer/peeler/slicer things? One of the best $20 gifts I've ever gotten! I can prepare a dozen apples in a matter of minutes and my husband and kids will even help because they think it's fun to turn the crank. I highly recommend it!
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Thank you for the suggestion, Katie! I borrowed one from my father in law, and it works GREAT!!!! So much easier!
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Sorry I posted the same comment twice. My first one didn't show up at first...feel free to delete the duplicate!
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Wow, it looks like you're busy! That is a lot of blueberries!
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You have been very busy! I know it is rewarding to see the freezer or shelve fill up with food for the winter.
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How many blueberry bushes do you have?! That is amazing! I'm planting blueberry bushes this fall.
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WOW. This is amazing! I am also curious as to where you live where you can harvest blueberries and jalapenos in such abundance. But if you don't post where you live for privacy reasons I totally understand.
I came here from Tammy's Recipes blog and am really impressed with the way you live and raise your children. I have nothing in common with you right now, but someday I want to be where you are - homeschooling my kids while learning more about preparing and preserving food and becoming a better homemaker.
All the best to you! I am going to bookmark your blog so that I can learn more!
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I'm also a new reader...got your link from Tammy's Recipes. I'm so incredibly jealous of all those beautiful blueberries. The apples are great too, but when I factor in the work you had to do to peel and core them...I'm not as jealous
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Awesome job!! I am totally envious.
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Wow! That all looks so yummy
I've only just discovered your blog and will have to come and visit again.
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Bethany,
I made the blueberry muffins that you posted about a while back. They were great.
You are such a hard worker. It all looks wonderful.
BTW, sorry to post this here. I will be deleting my blog. Someone stole content from me and I decided I'm not cut out for blogging. Thanks and blessings to you.
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Bethany...How long ave you been growing your fruit. Were the trees and bushes already there when you moved into your home?
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Hi Bethany- quick question- what do you do with the dragon sauce. It looks yummy. If you took out the seeds would it make it a mild sauce? Just curious in case I want to get adventurous and try to make it! Thanks!
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I think it should make a mild sauce- but if you want to make sure, make sure to get the veins taken out too, not just the seeds. Those veins hold a lot of heat!
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I tried to answer all of the questions you had in another post, right here!
http://bethany.preciousinfants.com/2008/07/10/answers-to-some-questions.aspx
Thanks so much for all the great comments and ideas!
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