Hail, peaches, to-ma-toes, who's not ready holler, I

Aaand, we're offff! (Lap top all repaired, now DH's--too full--has some hitch, he's changing hard drives.)

Using Susan's idea of making a hat sideways, I knitted this hat-to-be for #3b (he loooooves green) While I was knitting it I noticed that one of the needles was revelling and did a sort-of tuck stitch, which I will leave alone.
It will be a 'design' for his hat. But, I will have to change the needle for knitting other garments.

I have an Electroknit 930, and will be trying the patterns soon.

Next, the contents of my bag.

One crocheted pink thing (another hello kitty) Oh, by the way. I finished the first one and gave it to #5b and she was very surprised. Also made her a lunch bag with some real Lee jeans cut aways, all pink and pretty (found that at a garage sale. the lady used to work for Lee jeans and had several cast aways that the employees got to keep--all for me!)

You can also see the darker mauvy pink sweater for #2c who snagged it, it has to be repaired.

Here is a full view of the bag. Another cast away that was given to me. It is tapestry fabric, from a 'book' of samples. I had to trim the holes and areas that had been glued. With the rest I made this tote. I had the strapping in one of the colors--God knew.

I sewed the bag and topstitched every seam for finishing and reinforcement. It is unlined as the fabric is quite heavy.

I really like the Jacobean designs of flowers and bugs, without care to the proportions.

Went to the farmer's market on Saturday and bought some eggplant. I like to 'pickle' it, and eat it with meat, or chicken. It is very yummy--if you like eggplant.

Recipe

Here it is sliced and resting (salted) in a colander to extract much of the water. Place the colander in a large pot to catch the water.

After 24 hours, discard the water, rinse the eggplant slices a little.

Into the rinsed stock pot, pour about a quart of white vinegar, some (10) pepper corns, and 3 large bay leaves. Bring to a boil and add the eggplant slices, bring to a boil again and simmer for about--but no more than--5 minutes.

Let it cool to 'warm to the touch' temperature.

Using pint jars, layer, 1/2 a teaspoon of olive oil, two or three cloves of garlic, a small pinch of crushed red pepper, and a small pinch of oregano. Keep doing this layering, over and over again until the jar is full. Push the contents down to eliminate all air bubbles. Most of the olive oil will find its place, but be sure that all is covered with the oil. Let it come to room temperature, cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator. Wait at least 2 days to eat, but I'll be eating it tonight.

This is how they look just before the lids were attached.

Peaches, I got over 30 pounds of the most delicious peaches I've had in many years. Was able to freeze 15 quarts, and DH and I ate the rest. (shared some with my Mom--she loves peaches also)

How could anybody have resisted these. The were--still are--sooooo sweet.

Here is the last batch before processing [wash, cut away uglies, quarter, and pit, and bag]

If you try, maybe you can smell them, actually, remember how they smell. So peachy!

Some of our tomatoes. They look yellow on the side where the sun shone on them. Although we took several pictures, they all had the yellow glow. They are perfectly red. We have been getting about these many every two days. Enjoying every bite.

Now: Practical stuff

When you pierce your rubber gloves, what do you do with them?

I got a couple of ideas for you.

Slice the parts thereof. From the cuff to the thumb, it will become large 'rubber bands'

The thumb and fingertips can aide you in pulling a needle when sewing or quilting. (keep one in your sewing box) You could count your money efficiently--like the secretary's fingers from the office supply.

The rest of the thumb and fingers can be little rubber bands, or lid grippers for opening your water bottles. (keep one in your purse)

The cuff, as I said can be used as a long lasting band for the kitchen.

For example, If you don't use a whole bag of chocolate chips, or Heath sprinkles, etc. How do you put them away? No need to reach for a zip bag (.04c wasted) Try the recycled dish glove.

When you've used a little.

And when you've used a lot.

I might as well tell [show] you know, the huge hail we got last month. This one being held by #5a, it was the biggest one DH found--got pelted big time while doing it.

These are in a bowl with a penny and a quarter for comparison.

This is how it looked coming down.

And they all came from these clouds.

Finally sent off one box each to #1 and #3. Finished all those things I was making for them and placed them, each thing in its box. DH was finishing the taping of the second box for shipping and I remembered that I had not taken ANY pictures of the finished things. Oh, well!

I also forgot to take pictures while making the Jacobean bag, the lunch bag, and the finished hello kitty purse, sorry. Still working on the yellow-whatever-it-will-be cuddly doll.

I'll leave you with this: [a favorite of mine at the top of this blog]

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" 1Th 4:11

In His hands, ^__^