Artisan Bread

School is back in session (Mom doing a happy dance!). This means I now have more free time during the day. Thank goodness for that.

I was fiddling around on StumbleUpon on the net, and ran across a few sites for Artisan Bread. Now, I have a very poor track record with bread. I am a yeast killer (KILLER!), and need the training wheels that my trusty bread machine gives me. But these recipes swear that even the most inept baker can handle this.

One particular site (Foodess.com http://www.foodess.com/2009/03/artisan-bread-in-five-minutes/) has an Artisan Bread that is stored in the fridge for up to two weeks and that you simply cut off a hunk and bake it when you want some. Got my interest!

So I am giving it a whirl. The picture is of the bread in the first raising. I made a wonderful tomato-basil salad from the garden, and am looking forward to some crusty bread to dip into the left-over oil.

Fingers crossed, wish me luck that my bread turns out well. I am SO hoping this works, because I would love to be able to bake up bread during the next two weeks for dinner. My mouth is watering with the thought of it. I will let you know how it goes!

The end of the beans

It's been wet and windy here in my area. My poor bean trellis didn't make it through the storms, falling over last night. So, this morning, I went out and picked the last of the beans, and ripped all the vines out of the ground.

I am shocked (!!) at how many beans I was able to get off of those vines! Prior years, I have planted bush beans, and they have done okay, but never super. This year I was able to find pole beans, and those things have taken off like gang-busters. I am so surprised at how prolific they have been for several months now. Even today, there were still blossoms, and if I hadn't needed to remove the vines, I would be getting more beans.

Well, I am off to do blanching and freezing. Today is correctly named "Labor Day"!

Whew! I am finally done with it.

It was nearly an all day project, but I am finished (nearly) with the jam.

I love the way jam looks in the jars. So deep and rich like jewels. Makes me wish I had a shelf in front of the window so that the sun could shine through the jars. (Corny, I know. But I think homemade jam is beautiful.)

Fingers crossed that this will last me through the winter. With a teenage boy in the house, it may not last.

Once all the jars have cooled, I will label them and then tuck them into bed. Yes, I store all my canned foods underneath my bed. I have five cases of various things under there right now. But it is doubtful that my household will starve!

Two weeks for the jam to set up....then we can dig in! I can't wait.

The haul

Here's all the berries. I washed them and picked out the funky ones, now I am just cooking them down. That is one FULL pot of berries!

Picking the berries

Hubby said I looked like Frodo. Thanks dear, I love you too!

The days of Blackberries!

'Tis the season! For all good jam makers to gather supplies and get ready to do battle! (Okay, a bit over the top...I'll dial it back a notch.)

Saturday was a wet and rainy day here in our area, but it was the best day I had to go picking. I was graciously invited to a friend's property to do battle, er, I mean, to pick berries. (Thanks, Ms. Michelle!)

I went out, armed with my pots and buckets, and picked for several hours. Lesson learned? Well, picking in the rain isn't really so bad! I was wearing several layers, plus had on heavy shoes, and I didn't get nearly as scraped up as I normally do. Typically, I pick in hot weather, and am wearing sandels and shorts, end up all cut up. Wearing a hoodie was also good, I got brambles over my head, and I just ripped 'em out. Worked pretty good!

Listening to music while you are picking makes it more enjoyable. I loved having my iPod on for this task. Make it a lot more bearable. Also, if it is raining, the bees stay away. Bees don't like to fly in wet weather, so it was PERFECT for me. Plus, it being so cool, I didn't fret about getting bitten by a snake. (Yes, it's an irrational fear, but I get skiddish if I think there are snakes around. Sorry, I am weird.)

Now I just need to process all the loot that I picked. Wish me luck!

Deals to be found for Labor Day

Sorry I haven't posted much, but I have been busy. The tomato's are coming on fast and furious, I am canning a few times a week. I am still getting beans, and freezing those. Doesn't leave much extra time for other things.

One thing I can't go a week without? Grocery shopping. Yup, gotta do it. And this week is Labor Day, which means all kinds of good meat sales. I found hamburger for $1.49 a pound this week at TWO different stores, plus boneless pork ribs, also for $1.49 a pound. Hot dogs are on sale, grilling brats are on sale, not to mention other grilling necessities (condiments, pork and beans, etc). It is a great time to stock up for what you think you might be needing in the future!

I bought over 20 pounds of meat (between the hamburger and boneless ribs), and I package them into individual meal sizes (about a pound each) in freezer safe bags, and freeze the load. It is so nice to know I have meat in the freezer, and stayed within my personal goal of spending less than $1.50 per pound!

Other things to stock up on? Well, all the back to school sales, of course. I am super picky about the type of pens I use, and I stock up on my favorite types during this time of the year. I buy extra spiral notebooks, extra filler paper, and anything else that my family may need in the upcoming year. If you have toddlers, don't just ignore the sales because your children aren't in school! Pick up some crayons (usually about 25 cents a box at this time of the year), some watercolor paints and plenty of paper. Then let those kiddos go to town being creative at the kitchen table. You didn't pay very much, so it doesn't matter how much they use!

Children's clothing are also on sale. Be careful how you shop, but there are some great deals to be found!

So there you have it! Happy shopping, be sure to check out the farmers market for current seasonal produce and celebrate your shopping success with some homemade yummies!