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!!!!!!!!

Bird Bliss

I've been into bird watching lately...Mainly because we have beautiful birds visiting our feeders in the backyard.  Here's what's been in our neck of the woods over the past week.

 House Finch

 Monarch Caterpillars

 Indigo Buntings & Cardinals

 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks & House Sparrows

 Indigo Bunting & Thrashers

 Indigo Buntings & Rose Breasted Grosbeaks

 House Sparrow

 Mocking Bird

And this picture of Murphy is so cute, I couldn't not share it :-)

Garden Update

Our garden is coming along nicely.  I took these photos a few weeks ago and the difference is amazing.  Things are a LOT bigger!  We will be picking veggies in no time.  

Blackberry Bliss

We have been picking blackberries like crazy lately.  Our hands are thorny and stained purple...but our refrigerator and freezer are FULL of those sweet little berries.  We have 9 & 1/2 gallons so far.  We've made cobbler and jam.  I think I am going to try sorbet next!

An Xtreme Weekend

We participated in an adventure race on St. Patrick's Day.  It was an annual event put on by the MWR at the base that Jim works for.  Average completion time is ~ 7 hours.  It was a grueling day, but we had a blast.  We did challenges that included canoeing, rock climbing, running, biking, marksmanship, orienteering, ziplines, rope bridges, etc...and we finished in under 5 hours!  We can't wait to do it again next year.  Here is a before and after shot of our team: The Sand Crabs!

R and R

I made these chairs over the past 2 days.  What a fun and easy project.  We're all set for some warm summer nights!

Mission Accomplished!

I did it!  I ran my first 1/2 marathon this weekend.  All of my hard work payed off and it felt GREAT to cross that finish line.  I ran just under the time I thought I would.  I can't wait to do it again!!! 

Waiting for the race to start

The crowd before the race

Finally moving

Crossing the finish line.

My Vera Bradley bag and finisher's medal!

My cheerleader!

The lawn after the race