Spicy Dill Pickle Canning Recipe

My cucumber plants have started producing bountiful bunches of cucumbers.  There's not much to do with them but pickle and can them.  I use a recipe that is a family favorite that is passed on from my Uncle's mother.  These pickles have a bit of a kick but are awesome in Bloody Mary's, on a relish tray, on a hamburger hot off the grill, or just right out of the jar.

Peg's Spicy Dill Pickles Recipe

5 cups of water

5 cups of white vinegar

1/2 cup of pickling salt

Bring this to a boil

In each jar add:

a clump of dill (I grow my own in the garden)

1/2 tsp of mustard seed

1/4 tsp of minced garlic

1/4 red pepper flakes (for just a little kick)

Fill each jar with the hot liquid and seal.  Makes 8 pints.

Drinking from my saucer

I've Never Made A Fortune and It's Probably Too Late Now but I Don't Worry About That Much i'm Happy Anyhow and As I Go Along Life's Journey I'm Reaping Better Than I Sow I'm Drinking From My Saucer 'cause My Cup Has Overflowed


haven't Got A Lot Of Riches and Sometimes The Going's Tough but I've Got Loving Ones Around Me and That Makes Me Rich Enough I Thank God For His Blessings and The Mercies He's Bestowed I'm Drinking From My Saucer 'cause My Cup Has Overflowed


o, Remember Times When Things went Wrong my Faith Wore Somewhat Thin but All At Once The Dark Clouds Broke and Sun Peeped Through Again so Lord, Help Me Not To Gripe about The Tough Rows That I've Hoed i'm Drinking From My Saucer "cause My Cup Has Overflowed


If God Gives Me Strength And Courage when The Way Grows Steep And Rough I'll Not Ask For Other Blessings I'm Already Blessed Enough and May I Never Be Too Busy to Help Others Bear Their Loads then I'll Keep Drinking From My Saucer "cause My Cup Has Overflowed!"
 
(Lyrics sang by Michael Combs)

Chicken Salad....summertime staple

I love the summer months because I grow my own fresh vegetables and herbs.  Planting a garden is so easy and there such a self sustaining sense of satisfaction when you start harvesting the things you have grown with your two hands by your two hands. 

I prepare chicken salad frequently during the summer using what I grow in my backyard.  Here's my recipe (kind of, I don't like to follow recipes):

Shredded Chicken - buy a rotisserie chicken, if you are short on time or place chicken on a broiler pan add liquid (water, broth, beer, etc) to the bottom of the pan and cover in foil. Cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes very moist chicken!

Mayo - low fat, full of fat....whatever you prefer


Fresh Dill - homegrown my backyard

Mandarin Oranges

Dried Cranberries

Grapes cut in half


Brocolli slaw - sneak in the vegetables when you can. Look in your salad section of your grocery store...similar to cole slaw only made out of brocolli


Sweet pickle relish - (I can my own)

Peppers (red, yellow, and orange)

Shredded Parmesan Cheese


Fresh lemon juice

And if I was a single gal I would add in some onion...but my honey hates it so I do without :(
Add in whatever else you like in your salad (pecans, etc.). Mix to your taste buds desire. Remember you can't screw up chicken salad!

Serve rolled up in lettuce, torillas, sourdough rolls, or on whatever you want. Slice some fresh tomaotes (romas are my favorite) and toss on top. Prepare enough for seconds!

Where I got my start

I spent 3 years of my childhood living in Oklahoma next door to a retired jeweler, George, who spent his afternoons out in his studio. He was a collector of rocks and stones and he would use them to decorate their flower beds and gardens in their backyard. I loved looking at them when I was a kid. One memory that still sticks with me is George always carried jawbreakers in his pockets and would tend to rattle the wrappers. It was torture to kids who were not to be asking him for one.

Because we lived away from our family, he and his wife were our surrogant grandparents. Three years later we moved back to Iowa and little did we know at the time we would never get to see George again. I took the call at home that day several years later when a former worker of my dad's called from Oklahoma to tell us that George had passed away. My parents went down to Oklahoma for his funeral and came home with two boxes of his tools. These two boxes sat for over 20 years collecting dust and rust. My curiosity and desire to learn his art has brought these tools back to life. I know he is proud his little "Jeca" following in his footsteps. I love that I have a story of how I got into silversmithing!