Blog
In my last book presentation at DeBary Hall, we talked about calligraphy and letter writing. The next day, John Townshend posted this video on his YouTube channel and I found it so informative. Caroline learns a lot about writing from Grandma in The Treasure Trunk. Are you interested in learning how to write fancy? There is plenty of room to practice right in the book. Let Grandma show you how along with Caroline!
REFRIGERATOR PICKLES
In Grandpa’s Garden Zeke and his family have Grandma’s delicious pickles with their lunch and I mentioned in the book that I have a favorite pickle recipe to share. Here is a super easy pickle recipe of mine to try! These will last in the frig for months-unless, of course, you eat them all first!
2 small cucumbers, slice thin
1 1/2T salt
1C green onions, slice thin
1 tea bag of black tea
powdered stevia
1C white vinegar
1/2C apple cider vinegar
1/4C brown sugar
1 1/2t mustard seeds
1/2t celery seeds
1pinch ground turmeric
Step 1: Mix cucumbers with salt. Let sit for 1-2 hours
Step 2: Drain cucumbers in a sieve, rinsing under cold water
Step 3: Combine rest of ingredients (except onions, stevia, and tea bag) in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil, and stir until sugar dissolves – about 3 min. Adjust flavor by adding a dash of stevia at a time until it tastes good to you.
Step 4: Empty tea leaves out of tea bag into a half gallon canning jar. Layer in drained cucumbers and onions. Add warm vinegar liquid. If liquid does not completely cover the cucumbers, just add enough water until it does. Easy schmeasy! Seal with a lid and put in frig for at least 24 hours before eating.
WHERE’S THE PICKLE RECIPE?
In the back of Grandpa’s Garden I mention my favorite refrigerator pickle recipe and say you can find it right here. Readers have been wondering where it is! I am so glad you have looked!!! Don’t worry, it is coming. I am just cleaning up after a huge weekend at Cracker Christmas. I promise to have it up very soon. Then you can eat pickles with Grandpa! Purchase book on Amazon here.
CRACKER CHRISTMAS
Spending an afternoon on the porch with friends at Fort Christmas in Christmas, FL. Over 20,000 people came out for the annual Christmas event. I had a chance to share my new book, Grandpa’s Garden, with them.
BOOK 1 IS HERE
Explore a trunk of family treasure with Caroline and Grandma and even learn to write calligraphy. This first book in the Adventures of Caroline and Zeke series is heart-warming and written to engage the reader into the activity presented in the story – and that is how to write calligraphy. Purchase on Amazon or purchase right here on the site.
DILBERT
Dilbert got sheared so he stays nice and cool during the Texas summer. I got to process a bit of his fiber recently.
SHARING WITH FUTURE HISTORY KEEPERS
Sharing the process for getting the wool from the sheep into a pair of socks. This is eyeopening for most and the tools of the trade are always a point of interest.
Tyson House – Pioneer Village, Osceola County
TENDER SHOOTS
Have you ever tasted freshly picked asparagus? It is surprisingly sweet! I have been enjoying the tender green shoots in the morning as I amble in the morning through the garden.
CAN YOU CAPTION THIS PHOTO?
“Didn’t I tell you we were sleeping here tonight in the woods, Cathy?”
SPINNING AT PINE CASTLE PIONEER DAYS
We had an enjoyable time at the Pine Castle Pioneer Festival. Joined by Holly and Kay this time, we interacted with visitors and shared all about using a drop spindle, a spinning wheel, and repurposing fabric into rag rugs.
HARVEST OF RADISH PRESERVED
Recently I harvested daikon, black, and breakfast radish. I find that creating a ferment out of what seems like not many veggies really causes them to go a long way. This beautiful jar of these radishes – shredded, layered with fresh rosemary, salted, and topped with filtered water – will last a long time when