Saturday, July 19, 2008

A tale of flip flops and green beans

Journal July 17. 2008

OK, I have truly lost it. Our new dog, a stray who showed up and stayed, chewed one of my flip flops a few days ago. I picked it up and threw it away. Then I got to thinking that I might be able to stamp with it, so I dug it out of the trash. Thankfully, it was right on top. It makes great stamps with two different designs, one on the sole and one on the strap. Plus, I have this reminder of a $1 pair of shoes that served me for three summers. That's the sole print on the right in blue and a piece of the strap in purple on the lavender stripe.

Green beens ready to pick

Our new fence appears to be working. So far no deer tracks or mischief in the garden. For the first time in ages, we have green beans.

Green beans

I picked this batch last night about 7:30. I had forgotten just how low bush bean plants are. I'm considering pole beans next year. I would rather reach up than bend down.

Green bean prep

I've discovered that I much prefer to snap the ends off when the beans are dry. I wipe the blossoms off then too. It's much easier than after you wash them, plus I can watch tv or blog surf while I'm doing it. With my slow dial-up, it's good to have something else to do while I blog surf.

Freezing beans

I used to can beans, but we much prefer then frozen. Plus, now that we are empty nesters, it's nice to be able to take some out of the bag and only prepare what we will eat.

I boil the beans whole for two minutes in small batches, and then cool them down in front of the fan, or air conditioner if it's on, and pack them into the freezer bags.

Ready for the freezer

I wound up at 11:45 PM with eight quart bags full. I should have started earlier, but then I would have burned up in the garden.

10 comments:

Anairam said...

Oh, you are a recycler-par-excellence!

Linda Jacobs said...

You're so creative! I've got to start thinking outside the box. Your pages are so eye-appealing.

And congrats on getting all those beans frozen!

Dawn said...

Thank you both!

Wren said...

HA - LOVE this! Looks like my kitchen! Picked 3 pounds of beans yesterday. I've been canning mine after turning them to mush last year in the freezer. We'll see how it goes this year!

: )

Bronwyn said...

he he :) I love the way you think - anything and everything can be used for crafting...or something other than its original use!

marilyn said...

Hi Dawn,

I've just spent the morning looking at all of your flickr photos. I love, love, love your work! It's so inspirational to me. I recently started a gluebook -- I had been reluctant to do so for a very long time because I didn't think I had any talent. It doesn't look anything like your incredible artwork, but I'm having a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Warm regards,
Marilyn

Hilda said...

Dawn,
I love your art journals and have read all the archives on your blog! Can't wait for you to update! Hope everything is okay. You are so creative!
Hilda

Anonymous said...

Hi: Love your blog. I have been having a great time learning to be more creative with my scrapbook. More natural in the presentation instead of everything cut out and perfect. Much more satisfying. Thanks for all the eye opening journal page ideas.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn! I have a few questions for you regarding art journaling in a composition notebook. Please email me if you get a chance
lovingcjm@gmail.com
Thanks so much!!! Your blog is such and inspiration to me to get the paints out and begin creating!

Unknown said...

Hi Dawn! Thanks for stopping by e14studio blog and leaving a comment. I had deleted all my bookmarks and missed checking in with your blog so it's good to get back in touch with you and your fabulous ideas!
~Sharon