Canning Labels

As you all know, Canning is Where Its At! At least, I think its really fun to toss back a few cocktails on a Sat night and start canning like a mad women. My main canning I did this season as a novice was Homemade Apple Sauce and Spicy Garlic Pickles. Of course I also have 50 jars packed with tomatoes, peppers, corn, soups, pasta sauces, salsa's to save for the winter. But my Apple Sauce and Garlic Pickles were two items I wanted to give as gifts this year.

I wanted to make them all super cute - so I went on etsy.com - a wonderful web of artists and crafters. There were many people to choose from but I found a great graphic designer that made my labels just as I requested.

I thought they came out great and also matched my Hello Kitty Apple Ribbon perfectly!

Home Garden 2010

Ive always had a black thumb with plants. My mom would regularlly save dying plants from my college houses and then they would flourish with her. My interest was peaked this year when I learned about all the chemicals and GMO in grocery store fruits and veggies. Most are genetically modified to be huge and have a longer shelf life. The down side is that they don't have much of a taste.

This summer, I attempted to start growing food that we really like to eat. I had mixed results but learned so much! I found myself getting emotional about my garden. I felt like I was caring for it like I would a beloved pet. It brought me great joy when I got to harvest beans,tomatoes, peppers and squash! It also taught me tons of patients with having to wait for things to grow and produce. Also, on those days I didnt feel like getting out there in the dirt, I was quickly reminded that mother nature didnt wait.

I have grown to love gardening (du du dum)! I hope that with my research and my new green house - that I will get a jump on spring and have an even more amazing garden in 2011. Here are many photos to show my lil lovely garden of 2010.

Holidays at the Farmers Market

Its hard for me to believe that its been nearly a month since Ive done a blog update. I aspired to have a more mellow and less commercial holiday season this year. I also was excited to share my canned goodies with friends to share the love for the local! I swear I had an entire shelf in my fridge with nothing but pickle jars. I got very excited with my Nov 15th batch of spicy pickles - they had the perfect after burn from the habanero but also citrus from the lemon peel. Its my new standard!

I did break down and do some typical shopping but tried to spend my money locally. My grandmothers and Mom all got soap from South Austin People.
Check em out here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/SouthAustinPeople

We also bought Pralines from our favorite Cajun's at the Farmers Market too.

The market was really fun over the past month. Its like watching the seasons change and all the food with it! We got some tasty bean soup one week and holiday cookies from our favorite Sweetish Hill Bakery. They had a very sweet spread! And they like the Grateful Dead - great combo!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Sweetish-Hill-Bakery/145009811058

Our goat farmer brought 2 freakin squeezable 3 week old baby goats to the market one week and I just about fainted. (Not unlike the famous fainting goats) They were just so cute, I wanted Mike to distract the farm children so I could scoop it up and take it home and make it my lil pet. We had to settle with the fact we know they have an awesome home and I believe were a holiday gift for a little girl. How awesome to get 2 goats for Xmas as a kid!!

Speaking of freakin adorable - lets talk about Biloxi the fashion poodle of our farmers market! She is the heir to the Poochy Treats Empire and she works it!

Ive enjoyed the addition of Johnson's Backyard Farm too! They have a great selection and I like the folks that work there. Who knew a rango pepper could be so good? Who knew a rango pepper existed?

And lastly - on my birthday - I got a new Localvore Tshirt to show my support! They are super cool and anyone who is anyone wears them - like for real.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and got your holiday wishes granted. I cant wait to show you all the new gadgets I got for Xmas - I got hooked up!

Chicken Coops are hot in Austin!!

Hard times create chicken coop comeback: kxan.com