Cinco de Mayo

The Keith family celebrated Cinco de Mayo in style...with a party at our house!  Words cannot explain.  Here are some photos.

On the Hunt

I have just returned from travel for work.  I spent the last 6 days in Perdido Key,FL and Orange Beach, AL. We were there to trap Perdido Key Beach Mice, which are an endangered species. We were trapping, tagging, and taking genetic samples before releasing them back into the dunes.  It was exhausting work that consisted of working all night every night and resetting traps during the day.  It was such a rewarding experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It is, however, great to be home with my husband and fur babies...which expanded while I was away.  We now have a pet baby opossom named Cheese.  Here are some photos from my trip and our new family member.

Cheese nesting

Cheese :oD

My first beach mouse

 Perdido Key

Beach mouse

PICKLES!!!!

This past week our cucumber plants kicked it into over drive and pumped out some huge fruit.  Looking at them, I knew exactly what I was going to do with them.  Make pickles!!!  Here's the process.

Some of the ingredients

The dill brine 

Spices in the jars

Top view of the cayenne blend.

Top view of the habanero blend 

Cucs in the jars, ready for the brine

Chips. Cucs in the jars, ready for the brine

Spears. Cucs in the jars, ready for the brine

Brine added

Ready for the canner

In the canner

Cooling off

Finished Cayenne pickles

Finished habanero pickles

Can't wait to try them in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!