just pickle it

Last week and the week before where busy.

This week I am insisting on more time at home.

 My parents garden is huge and bursting with produce. My mom sent me a text last night saying that if  we didn't want to use the beans then she was calling the neighbors to come in and pick.

Too many beans not enough time. 

My sister Melinda and I with babies in tow headed to the farm for a day of preserving .

 We peeled garlic, and stuffed beans, dill and spicy peppers into jars.

 We handed out snacks to the kiddos and heated olive oil in a huge pan. 

 The goats escaped from their pen twice and my Mom chased them down.

 The house smelled of pungent vinegar and dill.

Expectations were reset by the shrill cry of babies beginning for immediate attention. 

Dreams of rows of shiny jars filled with summer's goodness are replaced with the reality that if we can just cram the last of this or that  in and slap the lids on we might just have something to show for our day.

We paused for lunch. A plate of greens, juicy tomotoes and boiled eggs.

My mom ground coffee beans and we shared a cup of freshly pressed coffee.

Later.

We divided the spoils.

Melinda secured little jars of blackberry jam and larger jars of dilly beans together between crumpled newspaper.

My Dad and  I transferred the piping hot tomato sauce into glass jars to be finished off tomorrow at home with a few more hours of  stewing.

We went home pleased with ourselves at our efforts and success.

Dinner was simple. Crispy pan toasted bread with fresh tomatoes. A bowl of spaghetti tossed in sauce from our fresh tomatoes, sprinkled with parmesan, basil and chili flakes.

I lit the candles tonight for the first time in a few weeks.