dilly beans for dummies 07/30/2009
So this week I decided to tackle a canning project with gusto. As a kid, one of my favorite treats was dill pickled green beans. I used to make them a few houses and 1 kid ago, but haven't in a couple years. I gathered all my supplies this evening, and realized half way through cutting my beans that I didn't actually have any canning supplies or a recipe. This put me in quite a pickle...but don't cry for me Argentina, I would can those beans yet. If you are crazy about canning, I'm sure you will find the technique a bit crude, but below is what I did. You might call this the first installment in my new book "Cluster-fu*k Canning." Supplies: Loads of Green Beans (from a farmers market, local grocer or garden). The measurement of loads = 1 plastic grocery bag loosely packed. Several stalks of fresh dill (you will want about 3 dill "flowers" per can...you do the math). 10 medium canning jars with lids. Fresh garlic or banana pepper if desired. 5 cups of whatever vinegar is hanging out in your pantry from your last canning project. 5 cups of water from the local tap. 1/2 cup of canning or pickling salt. You will need to get 3 pots going. This was a problem for me because my stove (always having the time of 11:26; being correct twice a day) is down to 1.5 burners. On the working burner, 2 pots snuggled together and on the partially working burner, 1 pot resided. In a small sauce pan add some tap water and boil the lids of your jars. Not the twisty part, just the part with the rubber. Boil them for a few minutes to get the rubber juicy. In a medium kettle, add the 5 cups of vinegar and the 5 cups of water along with the canning salt; bring to a boil. This is your brine to pour over the top of the beans. In the largest pot you have (this is where you really should use a canner...but being green means using what you have) fill it 1/2 way full and start heating (this is for the water bath which will seal your jars). The pot needs to be tall enough for the jars plus 1" of water on top. Make sure your glass jars are clean (you may want to run them through the dish washer), your beans are cut into 2" pieces or so and your dill is chopped short enough to fit into the jars. One jar at a time, put about 3 dill flowers into the bottom and pack beans inside (add garlic cloves or peppers if desired). Don't forget to leave a little room at the top so the beans don't touch the lid. Load up all your jars and when the brine is boiling, pour the brine over the beans and fill the jars...again leaving a little room at the top (1/2" or so). After pouring on the brine, place one of your boiled tops on and twist the "twisty" on snuggly...not like Heman the Adventurer would do, just how you, on a good day would ring the neck of someone who stole your car stereo. When your jars are all set and sealed. Check the large pot in which you have water, hopefully boiling. This is where we get a little unconventional. Since an official canner has a little rack in it so the jars don't touch...you need to be creative in keeping them from clanking. I used a dish towel. Using an extra large BBQ tongs, I smashed the dish towel down to the bottom of the pot and lowered in the jars with the BBQ utensil. You will probably need to bathe the jars in 2 or 3 batches, but once you feel the pot has enough in it, just make sure the water is about 1" over the jars. Bring the whole mess including the towel to a boil and continue to boil them for 5-7 minutes. It's helpful to have a lid because the towel makes the water boil funky. During the boiling time, pour yourself a glass of wine and breathe! When they have boiled long enough, grab the tongs and carefully get them out of the water. They will be HOT. Place them on a towel on your counter. Repeat with your next batch of jars until all have been boiled. Let the jars cool and make sure in a few hours that the lids are sucked down. Do this by pressing on the center of the lid and if it pops up and down, thats bad! I don't claim to be an expert, but you could use a NEW lid, re-boil the jars and they should be fine. You have just CANNED SOMETHING! You need to wait a few days to enjoy them however the the flavors can migrate into the beans. Call yourself Julia Child, or Martha Stewart (pick your poison) and make a private toast to your awesomeness. Seriously, give these as gifts and people will bow down to your country canning skills. Let me know if any of you try this recipe. I am dying to know if it's just me or if urban girls really can "can". the gear my vintage stove displaying 11:26 since 1976 cheers dilly beans now I know I'm a good person 07/29/2009
If you are a little punk running around my neighborhood, consider yourself warned. Last night someone of the above description broke into my 1995 Honda Odyssey (super lame van with no tint on the windows, 200,000 miles and copious amounts of dirt and rust), and they stole the radio! Granted it was a decent 10 year old - used - unit holding a local artist rendition of lullaby music...what a LOSER you are for taking it! After checking the local pawn shops for our cd player, I realized that pawn shops pay anywhere between 5 and 15 dollars for a car stereo, even in mint condition. This creep broke into my car for potentially $5. Seriously? Just knock on my door next time, I will dig through the change jar! Anyhow, I'm not really angry about it, just disappointed. I am grateful however that my clothesline filled with priceless baby clothes was undisturbed. Truly an idiot this kid was because he could have gotten 4 times the money if he would have taken the clothes to Once Upon a Child! If moms were thieves, we would all be in a lot more trouble. Bad things happen to good people, it's nice to know I'm one of them. Enjoy the lullaby music you dork! Feel free to burn a copy for your "friends". announcing... 07/28/2009
I have 2 things to announce today, a NEW design and also the winners of last weeks give away. Yes, I said winnerS. I put them all in a hat (red wing crock) and drew out 1 name. Then I got a little sad about all the names still in there so I drew out ANOTHER! Here are the winners: Pamela Zimmerman Carol Browne I will be emailing the winners asking for their address. I LOVED doing a giveaway and will probably continue them more regularly than I should. The Girlfriend; a simple wristlet for stylish women. One has already been purchased, literally off the design table and I am so excited about the possibilities here. The Girlfriend gives me a chance to use some of my favorite and more expensive fabrics and still keep the price down (since it doesn't use too large of a piece)! I am also starting to think of Christmas presents, sadly, and I like to create inexpensive gifts that you can give to all your girlfriends, cousins, teachers etc. Stay tuned for more gift ideas throughout the fall.  caught 07/22/2009
Yesterday, delivering packages to the post office, Axel and I were caught in a rain storm. The heavens literally opened up and dumped giant drops on southern Minnesota. Trying to be ever "present" in life, we seized the day.      When I remember Axel's childhood, I will always remember this day. **No packages were soaked in the process...thankfully, we were on our way home. join me 07/21/2009
Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22nd I will be hosting a chat in Etsy's Virtual Lab about my feature article. Just look for the "Quit Your Day Job" title. Quit Your Day Job - GIVEAWAY 07/20/2009
It really came true! I am so honored to be a part of the Etsy Blog and share a little bit of what I do and why I do it. a sight for sore eyes 07/13/2009
I didn't realize how crazy it looks to have your dog and your baby in a bike trailer.  I have endured my first boy event in motherhood. Axel must have stubbed or dropped something on his toe and his big toenail is about to fall off. It kills me every time I look at it and I now am aware that I can't ALWAYS protect him. I did however him a pair of Keen sandals. Jahred and I have yet to own a pair of quality sandals, but why not buy them for our 17 month old. It's only money right? (and toenails)  May you all see something adorable this week! what have you eaten today? 07/09/2009
First, my HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! ideas 07/02/2009
What a fabulous weekend in northern Minnesota! There is just something about sitting on the sand, in your over-priced swim suit, with your very own 1 year old boy...perhaps it's the way his tiny feet stand just where the water meets the sand...or maybe the way he finds ultimate enjoyment out of a shovel that cost under $1...there's just something irreplaceable about 4 generations finding the sun and shade in common for hours on end!   |  Oldies but Goodies
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