Despite the groundhogs foraging, we did manage a few beans this year. When I say a few, I mean "My gosh! That's it?" Usually I'm canning green beans for several days and Mr. Farmer is picking two or three feed buckets full from each row. That amounts to anywhere from 32 quarts to 48 quarts of beans. This year he brought me one and a half feed buckets full of beans...from all four rows. That amounts to exactly 10 quarts. Yeah, don't know if that was worth the effort of digging out the pressure canner. I curse you groundhog!

The Monkey and the Boss help can beans.

Despite the poor showing this year, we are still in good standing as far as our beans are concerned. Because of the good years we have had, I have beans a plenty. Pressure canning green beans is a fairly easy endeavor and not nearly as complicated as one might think. Remember I learned how to do it, and so far I haven't blown anything up. The recipe I use has been passed down from Mr. Farmer's great-great-grandmother. It is fairly basic and has been updated for today's safer and not so temperamental pressure canners.

I can bush green beans. When I first got married, I tried making them without canning them. Yuck! They are really tough. I also tried serving them without seasoning them thinking they would be like the kind you get in the grocery store. Well, we use a lot less salt I suppose because they were too bland to eat. Over the years I have learned how to cook them so that they satisfy the picky palates of my family and my need for healthy cuisine. I was forced to succumb to bacon as a seasoning because you just can't make good green beans without it. After many trial and errors, this is the recipe that won over the hearts my family.

Cook two strips of bacon in a dutch oven or medium pot. When it is crisp, I remove the bacon and empty out as much of the bacon grease from the pot as I can. I want the flavor but not all the fat. At this point you can saute a chopped onion in the bacon drippings, but I usually leave this out. Just lazy I guess. Then I dump in 1 quart of canned green beans (or you can use fresh, but you will have to cook it longer and add enough liquid to cover the beans). I also throw in 1 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a dash of pepper. I crumble up the bacon and toss it back in the pot as well, but you can leave it out if you want. I bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. The bacon makes it salty enough for Mr. Farmer and the Queen, and the sugar adds a hint of sweet for the Monkey. I'm happy because everyone eats their green beans.

Notes from the Boss

No bacon in here!

I don't know anything about those green beans. My green beans are all mushed up and don't have bacon anywhere. I think I'm getting cheated. I watched Mom can those green beans. I didn't see any bacon there either. The Queen sings the praises of bacon and so does Dad. I think I need some of that bacon, but I don't think I'm going to get any from Mom.

All fenced in

She isn't the only one who is trying to keep me down. The sisters have started complaining that I don't play fair. They claim that there are no giants that knock down towns and eat people in their games. I disagree. I think every game needs a giant, and I make the perfect one. The Monkey crossed the line when she fenced me in the other day. She said I could play with anything inside the fence. Um, there wasn't anything in there but fence. I explained that to her and then took what I needed from her stuff. Problem solved!

The Expert

We have returned from our trip to Memphis where Farmer Dad learned about all things dairy and the Boss and I toured the luxurious Peabody Hotel. The Boss made quite an impression and received the royal treatment from the staff. He of course wasn't surprised and expected it. The three of us also took a little side trip to Graceland, the home of Elvis. The Boss was not impressed, so while Farmer Dad took his time and caught up on a little trivia, the Boss and I took the express tour. We finished by nursing in the gazebo next to the memorial. He felt this was not only necessary but quite appropriate. The 100+ degree heat was unbearable that day. When I commented to Farmer Dad, he laughed it off saying he works in it everyday. I reminded mister smarty pants that he didn't work in it with a 16 pound baby strapped to his front and that it really was time to go!

Leaving Graceland

While we were walking in Memphis, the sisters were living it up at Camp Nanaw's, the camp where dreams come true. In truth that is how it works. You dream it and the crew (the Awesome Aunts) work to make it happen. You dream that you had a theater? Poof! The civil war tent becomes Mockingbird Theater complete with lights, carpets, furniture, and plush chairs. It is the ultimate theatrical hideout for little girls who love to perform. You dream about being a famous chef? Poof! Dishes just the perfect size for small hands are found and before you know it you are making cobblers and casseroles and enjoying them with your own personal tea set. It is Disney without the high price tag.

Getting ready for Camp Nanaw

My girls love Camp Nanaw, and look forward to it every year. When they come home, we hear for a week how things were done at Camp Nanaw and how they wish they were still there. They make plans to build a house in the woods across the street or learn to fly so they can fly there everyday. None of these superior ideas are practical, so instead they have to be satisfied with recreating it the best they can. Yesterday we were  doing just that as they made baked apples in their tiny pie plates and brewed a cup of Sweet Orange tea.  The whole time I was coached on how Nanw did it. You need to use the butter on the dish Mom. Nanaw uses dark tea. We need lots of sugar. Don't double dip the spoon because the sugar will clump.

The treats were served and tasted. The Monkey sighed and looked at me. "You tried your best, and I don't want to hurt your feelings, but Nanaw just makes it better." Oh well, I'm not an expert...yet.

Notes From the Boss

I highly recommend the Peabody Hotel to any baby needing a little break from the daily grind. Crawling, eating, pooping, and napping can be such a drain on little fellows like us. Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and relax. The Peabody provides just the right balance of fun and rest. There is always something new to see and plenty of floor space when you need to stretch your legs. The food is spread on tables and you are encouraged to eat all you want. Just as it should be. Everyone appreciates your cuteness and are eager to wait on you. The pool is just warm enough for little bodies and nothing relaxes you more than a night swim. Should you crave a little night time fun, Beale street is full of crazies that never cease to amaze. Or, you can just go downstairs and talk to the family of ducks that live in the fountain.

Finally, when you are done for the night you can retire to your bedroom and cozy up in a fluffy bed just for you. Ah, good times. My only question is, "When do we go again?"

Growing Like Weeds

The rains kept us out of the garden, but not the weeds. When Dad went to check on the garden, he had to do some serious tilling before the girls and I could work in there. Still the weeds weren't the only things that benefited from the rain. Before we left for the beach, the garden was dry and looking rather dismal. Now, greenery has exploded from every corner. The beans have bounced back from the groundhog attack, the corn is big enough for the girls to hide in, and I believe the squash is plotting a coup behind the tomato plants backs. With the out of control growth has come the first fruits of our labor. I have pickled some cucumbers and sauteed some zucchini. Yum! In my opinion the best way to eat zucchini is sliced and sauteed in a little olive oil with salt and pepper. I purposely get a little carmelization on it (burnt according to the Monkey and the Queen) to make it so sweet.

Not everyone in family shares my passion for undressed squash though.Truthfully nobody in the family shares my passion for squash. Their mantra is "Squish the squash!" So, when I get a bumper crop I have to get creative because these guys will have none of it. Squash casserole will not cut it, so I turn to my trusty La Leche League: Whole Foods for the Whole Family cookbook. There is a recipe for zucchini boats that the family likes and will eat without being threatened.

Zucchini Boats
6 small zucchini ( or 3 overgrown ones)        1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper
2 T. oil                                                           1/2 c. sliced celery
1/2 t. each rosemary and basil                     1/4 to 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 t. oregano                                                 4 to 5 tomatoes, chopped
1 T. chopped fresh parsley                          1 C. cottage cheese
3 cloves of garlic, minced                           2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 C. chopped onion                                    1 C. bread crumbs


Cut zucchini into halves lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving sturdy shells intact. Reserve pulp and shells. Heat oil in heavy skillet. Add rosemary, basil, oregano, salt, parsley, garlic, onion, pepper, celery and mushrooms. Saute for 2 min. Add reserved zucchini pulp and tomatoes. Cook until zucchini is tender; remove from heat. Add cottage cheese, stirring until melted. Place zucchini shells in greased baking dish. Spoon 11/2 T. Cheddar cheese in each shell; top with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and remaining Cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Yield: 12 servings


Now, I adjust it for our tastes. First I leave out the green peppers, celery, and tomatoes. I don't want to push it. I also add beef because the family likes meat and we have half a cow in the freezer. I also leave out the bread crumbs...just lazy. I also sub garlic powder for garlic. I don't make them eat the shell, just the inside. I freeze leftovers and then pull them out to chop and add to plain tomato sauce to make spaghetti sauce. I love a dish that multitasks!

Notes From the Boss

I have discovered that the garden is really a playground. Yes, it is true. I knew my food was in there somewhere, but I didn't know I was going to get to play with it. I saw the girls hiding in the corn, and then it dawned on me that the real purpose of the garden was for sneaking. If Mom would just put me down, I would slither into the garden like a little snake. Then when the sissies were playing, I would pop out and strike out like a baby python. Oh, that would be so much fun! The sissies would scream, but I would slither to the squash and hide under the big leaves. It could be like my little house. Yeah, good times. Oh, and Mom you aren't going to fool me with your covert operations in the kitchen. I will sniff out the squash and squish it!