Garden to freezer

We've just returned from a wonderful vacation in eastern Oregon and Washington. I'll be sure to post about that soon, but first I want to update you on the sweet corn situation. For weeks we ate lots of fresh corn on the cob and it was delicious, but about halfway thorough harvest, we just could not keep up. That precious sweet corn must not go to waste! Freezing corn is a pretty simple process: Shuck, blanche, cool, cut, and bag. Behold the corn porn.

Sweet!

Spinning honey

We filled the house with the sweet smell of honey last week when a couple of friends stopped by to help us extract. It hasn't been a great honey year, but one hive nearly filled two supers which yields about three gallons...not bad. We centered the giant barrel extractor in the kitchen and set up the hot knife and special spigot buckets. Everything was washed with hot soapy water and rinsed. We pulled out the heavy honey frames one by one. We all practiced the art of slicing the heated knife through the just the top layer of each frame's wax cappings before placing them in the extractor.

Once four frames have been opened on both sides, it's time to spin.

And spin and spin. This is where the company comes in handy.

We sampled the honey on spoons in the manner of fine wine tasters...hmmm, sweet with blackberry notes and a sticky finish. The next day I filled the honey jars. Be-a-u-ti-ful!

I'll end with a happy sunflower. Oh summer, don't go!

Counting apples

A neighbor invited us down to pick apples this week, so despite the 90 degree heat, Ole and I marched down the big hill chanting, "Apples Apples Apples!"

On my tippy toes, I plucked them from the spindly tree. I have no idea the variety. They are petite little apples, but that perfect mix of tart and sweet.

And the perfect size for you-know-who.

So we slipped a few into our bag and started the long walk back up the hill.

After a few water and snack breaks in shady rest stops, we made our way back home. Ole pulled out the apples one by one and pointed and counted and even tried some juggling.

A lovely September afternoon.

Hoppy days

Late summer brings the hop harvest. Last week we chopped ours to the ground and loaded them in the pickup truck for the annual picking festival at the pub. The slow and tedious job of removing the cones from the vines is eased by the camaraderie of picking and drinking beer together.

Most of the tables of the large patio were piled high with hops from all over town, given by friends of the pub. The patio filled quickly with eager pickers. The hairy vines cause itchy arms, so most folks wear gloves or long sleeves.

Ole was a great help throughout--picking, smelling, tossing, rolling about, and having an all-around good time.
Here he takes in the aroma:

Ah, yes, earthy with citrus undertones and a grassy finish.

The bin fills up steadily:

And he really got into it:

Now for the best part...the celebration!

Cheers!