Sour Puss?--no, Sour Cabbage!

The sour cabbage saga begins here:  Linda's Market Garden in Smoky Lake.  The reason it doesn't begin in my garden is that I didn't water the 18 cabbage plants that I had so carefully weeded, so they remained small in our heat wave, and I didn't powder them in time to stave off the ravenous cabbage worms.  We can still eat most of them, but for sour leaves for holubtsi (Ukrainian cabbage rolls), I want large, unblemished leaves.

So I made a little road trip last Saturday with the intention of bringing home 50 lbs of cabbage.  50 lbs was 5 large heads-- the number 5 seemed kind of small, 10 sounded better, so I came home with 100 lbs instead.

Some folks sour the whole head, in new plastic garbage cans (which scares me, cause I wonder if they are food safe with brine),
some do the heads alone, some amid their sauerkraut.  I prefer to take off the leaves and sour the leaves--the process is faster, and it takes less room while they are souring.

What is needed: 
Cabbage, pickling salt, vinegar, lots of water.
A large pot for steaming off the leaves, and I put a vegetable steamer with the stem removed at the bottom.
Two sturdy meat forks, colanders, bowls,  potato masher, clean sink, oven mitts.
Containers for souring the cabbage leaves:  I have a 3-gallon stone crock, and 3 large food-grade plastic pails that I bought from a local honey producer.
Plates that fit into the top opening of the containers, and quart jars to fill with water to weigh down the cabbage below the brine (I used plastic food storage containers this time).
Clean tea towels to cover.
What to do:
1.  Bring the big pot of water to boil, core a few cabbage heads.
2.  Prepare the brine:  Ratio of 14-16 c water, 1 c salt, and  1c vinegar--heat and stir till salt is dissolved.
3.  Carefully immerse the cabbage into the water, cook only long enough to make the outer leaves  limp but not fully cooked.
4.  With forks, carefully tease off the leaves, place in strainer.  When the leaves won't tease off, remove head, allow to cool a bit, and re-cut core.
5.  Put several inches of brine in bottom of pickling container.
6. Place all leaves that have been partially cooked,  flat into container with brine, layer evenly, every so often press down with potato masher, add brine as needed.  As the leaves accumulate and are softened more by their own heat and that of the brine, pack firmly.
7.  Put head back in water to soften the next layers of leaves.
8.  Continue until all the leaves are off the head.  You can pickle the smallest leaves in the heart of the cabbage as well and use them in lazy cabbage rolls.
9.  When the pickling container is full to about 2" from rim,
 put plate in, push down, add brine if needed, add weight and cover with a clean tea towel. Don't let the tea towel dip into the brine, since it will wick the solution out, and you may find a kitchen counter and floor "brined" (ask me how I know this).

10.  Check daily for scum (rarely happens if everything was done hygienically).  If the kitchen is warm, it is ready in 4-6 days (taste, since sourness is a matter of preference).  It may take longer if it is cool.
11.  When sufficiently soured, drain the leaves.  Now I cut out any thick veins, and save them for lazy cabbage rolls.  I weigh out 3 lbs of  prepared leaves and bag them for the freezer.  That is enough for a meat  or foil roaster of cabbage rolls (4 cups of raw rice).  Then I chop up the trimmings:  veins, leaves that overcooked, ragged leaves--and put them in 1-2 lb packages for lazy rolls.
12.  Freeze.  They keep for years.  And can be re-frozen if an opened package isn't all used up.

What the heck are lazy cabbage rolls?  You can make these with sauerkraut or the cabbage trimmings:  Cook rice as for cabbage rolls, but layer the rice and onions and cabbage (and optional chopped cooked bacon) in a casserole and bake them the same as cabbage rolls.

I bet you thought I would share the recipe for the cabbage rolls--that's a family secret.  But lots of comments to this post might persuade me☺☺

Update:  We now have no cabbage (or kale or brussels sprouts, or swiss chard in the garden)

 Until next time:  When life gives you cabbage, make cabbage rolls!

Time for Self-Discipline

I'm a procrastinator.  I have given myself a lot to do (home renos, huge garden and grounds with many flower beds, Master Knitter, sewing projects,knitting projects......). I tire myself out thinking about it.  Kubota Man says I tire him out when I think out loud about it.

So now, more stuff has been added:  twice daily exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist and twice weekly physio appointments where I'm away for 1/2 a day. And my personal goal of prayer and scripture study.

The first clue that a key element in this is self-discipline, is that I can manage to find lots of time to play on the computer (they are little spurts, but add up).

That takes me back to when I was teaching:  in the classroom there were schedules to keep everything going in a smooth flow.  I had to set short-term and long-term goals. At home, I had a schedule for myself and family for days off, to get the chores done, and still have leisure time.  It was when I retired that I started this popcorn way of doing things:  a bit here, distracted by something there--always very busy, things are getting done, but without organization, nothing got totally finished.  Of course, some of the things are seasonal and influenced by the weather.

So, September is a new year (school year), there are organizers readily available, and I will pretend my life is like in the classroom--by organizing most of my time, I will give myself more free time, and still get lots of stuff done.

I will start with my "curriculum"--the "subject areas" where things need to get done.  Then the terminal goal/date will be set, and a breakdown (plan of action) set up--the individual tasks (daily lessons).

A binder with dividers for "subject areas", must not forget to predict if I need any materials or tools to get this done, and make sure they are available.  And a plan for assessment--did the goals get met this week? What helped them get met?  What got in the way of not meeting them?  What needs changing (called monitor-and-adjust).

Without the plan, today I managed to get the final 3 closet openings (which go right to the ceiling) blocked to support the crown moldings, which will go across the entire wall, including the closet openings. I had painted the blocks already. Today I mounted them and re-mounted the door tracks.
Next I will cut down the bi-fold doors (because they have to clear the crown moldings). That 1.5" that I have to cut off will remove the framing block in the doors;  I've had the new blocks made and pre-drilled for a couple of years.  Then the doors have to be re-stained and re-varnished.

Tomorrow it's off to the city for a dental appointment.  I will stop on the way at the recycling depot and leave behind the recycling materials--the #1 plastic clam shell boxes from fruit take up so much room--rarely are they the same size.  And the newsprint!!  And it's time for a major Costco run. 

I'm excited about making the plan and scheduling the major "to-do" activities.

But maybe this plan is just another procrastination.

I Miss You, Mom

These are all synonyms for love (personified)  Hermi, Omi, Mutti, Mom, Omi-the-Great, Omi-saurus.  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Time to drop the resolutions

I'm dropping the resolutions, because I just keep plugging along, doing what needs to be doing.
Greenhouse:  still cleaning--it's been so hot for weeks that, even with fans on, it's unbearable to work in there, so I'm way behind.  Today was cooler, and the next few days, too, so I hope to finish soon.  I did finish washing over 5000 trays.
Gardens:  the vegetable garden is very productive in spite of no rain (and no watering on my part), some weeding didn't get done till very late, so it may be too late for some of the squashes.  Will have to buy squash this winter in that case.  Flower beds--still a disaster except the shaded ones--did those in the heat.  Berry patch only about 20% cleaned--got too hot, and without rain, the ground was like cement. Important to do these before fall and spread some Casaron in fall to prevent weed germination in spring.  Everything is ripening too fast because of the heat.  We have shared corn, cucumbers and tomatoes with anyone who will take them.
The peas weren't ready one day, the next day, over-ripe, so I'll pull them.  The onions are nicely keeling over on their own--they keep better if they fall over on their own.

Knitting: Working on Master Knitter Level 3--all reports and reviews done, working steadily on swatches.  Hope to finish these by end of Sept.  That will leave the hat and sweater to be designed and knit by April.  Will there be time for any Christmas knitting?  I made these  Teeny Tiny Socks for the new grand-baby that's expected in February.  The parents are not likely going to ask the baby 's gender, and I'm finding "gender neutral" leans towards masculine--that's why one pair got a bit of lilac in it:

Each pair took just under 10g. An Old Shale blanket is in the works and I'm dying to start this car seat/stroller cover:  Sleepy Monkey Blanket.  I have to buy some flannelette to make good quality receiving blankets.

I also made 3 Ruffle Scarves (which I strongly dislike, but OK in Edmonton Eskimo team colors, green and gold) for DD2 and DD3 and an elderly lady in the Nursing home who proudly wears her Edmonton Eskimo cap.  I don't have photos of my scarf, but this stock photo from the yarn company will give you an idea:

Aches and Pains:  My right hip is deteriorating and referring pain to all kinds of places as well as making it hard to tie shoes; according to the MRI it is moderately damaged, but there is a protocol that must be followed before surgery, regardless of the fact that it is very painful, and that I am still actively working in the greenhouse and around the farm.  The sequence used to be something like this:  pain management and exercise; when these don't work any more, cortisone shots directly into the joint, and when these don't work, surgery--if I live that long, and am fit enough to withstand surgery.  The process took at least 7 years with my left hip--highly successful outcome from that surgery.  I've been going to massage therapy to keep the muscles from seizing from the pain (and to un-seize them from the sitting-and-knitting all winter), and started physio this week to learn an appropriate exercise program.  Since,when sitting for extended periods of time, you're supposed to get up and move every 20 to 30 minutes, one of the exercises is easy to do and perfect for limbering things up.  Also I figured out an indoor 2-minute walk is:  **[the length of the living room, dining room, kitchen, down the stairs (backwards is less painful and more secure), the length of the basement, back up the stairs and back to the living room]**, repeat from ** to ** once more.
Fruit Flies:  There are so many fruit flies.  I am trapping them very successfully.  Take a clean yogurt container (about a quart size), put bait in (I found orange peels the best, mango second), stretch saran wrap over and fasten with a rubber band. Punch about 10 small holes with a skewer or round toothpick (they will find their way in but few will get out).  Within 5 minutes the orange peel one was full of flies, by the third day, there were very few flying around.  They will go to any fruit trimmings; I was trying different fruits in 5 different traps.  They all caught some, but orange and mango caught the most.  The orange one was just swarming.

Till next time:  Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have.

Annie and Sophie

I love to volunteer at the Nursing Home.  Ten years ago if you had told me that this would be an important part of my life, I would have thought you are nuts.  After all, why would someone want to spend time there if it isn't your job?

Mom lived in the Nursing Home for the last 4 years of her life.  That's how the old people crept into my heart.  Mom opened the door.  We went on trips with the Handi-bus--they are so appreciative of these changes of scenery.

Today we took a group of ladies to Ukrainian Village.  These ladies were pioneers.  They had lived what the costumed interpreters had memorized.  Their take on those pioneer experiences was awe-inspiring, and I wonder what kinds of stories our grandchildren will have to reminisce with their grandchildren (the day the battery went dead on the cell phone?  the day Facebook or Twitter went down?).

Now back to Annie and Sophie. After church one Sunday, I brought Holy Communion to the Lodge.  I always chatted with the seniors after the celebration.   Annie said, "I am almost blind, but I have no pain. God is good".  Sophie answered, "I have lots of pain, but I have my sight. God is good".

I always appreciate God more, and am grateful for all my blessings after spending time with the elderly.

This video tells it all.  I can't find the original version, but in spite of errors of translation, it is still valid.

Till next time:  Hug an elder today

To-Do list: August 4

My to-do list is short, because one of the jobs is BIG.
1.  Pick up and feed to the sheep all the weeds I've picked in the garden and two flower beds (Thank God for our Kubota Tractor with a big bucket).
2.  Finish washing the last of the greenhouse trays (Thank God for pressure washers, and washing mashines and showers, since most of the debris from the trays ends up on me).
3.  If , by chance I finish all that early enough, I will rototill my neighbor's big fallow garden to take down the weeds I didn't get last time I was there (Ditto re: Kubota tractor)
4.  Tidying the kitchen and doing dishes at some point is a given.

Good thing DH is perfectly capable of scavenging for his own meals, and when I'm working outside, I don't get hungry, so I won't want to eat till evening.

I dreamed about swarms of wasps and horseflies--is that prophetic?  I'm not scared of wasps, but I hate horseflies because they love me  (sweet meat?).

Till next time:  A good laugh and a good night's sleep fixes everything (my paraphrase of something I shared on FB this morning).

A Perfect Sunday

I had the perfect Sunday yesterday.  I love going to church, but have such a painful, slow start every morning, taking a long time to limber up and get moving, so, since they changed the time to 8:30 and I have either a 10-mile or a 20-mile drive, it makes it tough sometimes to find the motivation.  So I struck the deal with God that I described in an earlier post:  If it's good for me to be there, wake me up in time, if You let me sleep in, I know that's what You want for me.
Well, yesterday I woke up quite energetic at 6 am.  I saw the sign.  Had a leisurely breakfast (my favorite kind), time to play on the computer a little bit, then off to church, wonderful weather, lovely service, awesome fellowship afterwards.  Hurried home, did a bit of knitting, was very happy because the newlyweds were coming for lunch:

The wedding had been three weeks ago.  So I made a lot of lamb chops and her favorite, fried green tomatoes, and his favorite, rice (not his way of making rice--I made Rice-a-Roni from scratch--he liked it), and had made a blueberry dessert yesterday.  We were chatting and chatting and learning about the Fijian culture, when our "dingaling" went off (infra-red sensor that let us know someone is driving into the yard) and the dogs started barking.  I checked who it was, didn't recognize the car, but the passenger that alighted--couldn't be--is it?--no--yes--it IS Eleanor--and the driver--it's Bob.  WOW!!  They were our new neighbors when we bought our first house in 1967.  Our kids played together--Our kids got into mischief together--our kids had birthday parties together.  We moved away in 1982, but they stayed in the old neighborhood until just recently.  We shared wonderful, happy, sad memories, Eleanor and Bob knew all about other neighbors and were still in touch with some--a wonderful blast from the past, and a resolution to visit more often.  And woo hoo--Eleanor and I are now friends on Facebook.  I'm so impressed that they headed into the countryside, to find us--they did know about the greenhouse, since we had met on a few occasions, while shopping (I still sometimes shop in the old neighborhood, and my last 12 years of teaching were in the old neighborhood) and I had also met Bob and their little grandson while I was supervising the playground at recess.
I hated that we had to cut our visit short, because we had made plans to go off to Vegreville (Kubota Man and I and the newlyweds) since DD3 was having a birthday supper for DGD2, Kayla.  So off we went on that trip.  There we had a wonderful supper, a lovely visit with more family members on that side, and my last-week's prediction at the Kubota dealer came true.

New story:  My DH's alias is Kubota Man--he loves orange equipment. We bought our first Kubota a number of years ago, a 24HP with big mower, rototiller, bucket and pallet jack.  That kept him happy for a couple of years.
Then it became harder and harder to unload the semi-trucks that came with bags of dirt for the greenhouse and trees and shrubs for the nursery.  So we decided he needed a 70HP with a bigger bucket, and pallet forks.  All was good.  Another new toy.  A couple of years later, it got too hard to switch implements (I needed the rototiller on, he wanted the mower on, etc.), so we decided that a 29HP was needed.  this one has a pallet lifter on the front, and generally holds the mower, so the rototiller stays on the original machine for the summer so I can maintain my berry patch and the neighbor's fallow garden.  The summer we bought that one, as we were waiting for it to come in, we couldn't mow, so the dealer lent us a 25HP tractor that was set up just for mowing--a belly mower, with grass catcher and a hydraulic dumping system--perfect for feeding the grass clippings to the sheep.  I was the first to use it, and, since it can almost do 360 degrees around corners and trees, I fell in love.  Kubota Man saw the enchanted look on my face and said, " Call Tim, ask how much, and if it's affordable, buy it--after all, we can't take it (our piggy bank) with us".
So, in this situation, I considered that an order-- it was expensive but affordable, so I bought it.
Last year we bought no new toys, so when I was at the dealership picking up maintenance parts, I bought him a real miniature toy implement instead, the $6.95 size.  That was the 2013 "toy".
Over these years, we had added more toys (attachments that would make our work around this big place easier), an auger head with different size augers for fencing and planting trees, a dozer blade for snow removal, etc.  This spring he ordered a quick attachment so he can put a bigger blade on the front of the 29HP for snow removal, and I insisted he buy a removable cab so he would be out of the wind when pushing snow.

Kubota Man loves mowing rocks in the rougher parts of the farmstead, so the original 55" mower is getting somewhat beat up.  And we have a lot of grass to cut where the land is smooth, no rocks, but it's too far to drive to dump the grass catcher, and mulching is good fertilizer, so he decided it's time...for a 72" finishing mower that would only be used for "good grass", he told me to talk to the dealer.  My conversation with Tim went something like this:  I know you sharpen the pencil for us, but keep it sharp, because (although he hasn't said anything about it yet), now he will need another tractor (I said that with tongue-in-cheek, but for some reason it had a ring of prophecy).

Back to the lovely Sunday--as we're driving home, he says, "talk to Tim about a new small tractor for the new mower", I almost choked laughing, but I was driving, so I had to keep controlled--we have distracted driving laws in Alberta, and I'm sure insane laughing with eyes flooded with tears of laughter would qualify as distracted.  It turns out, the mower brochure offered an optional quick rear attachment (quick on/off), but this invention had more problems than what it was worth, lots of breakdowns and repairs, so the dealer doesn't offer it any more.  So we were back to manually switching implements, so my orders for today are to get another tractor--something in the 24HP range.  We can't take it $$ with us.  I had to agree, because my rototiller would have been on the chopping block since it is not used as regularly as the mowers. So now, with tongue-in-cheek, I wonder when we'll need an addition to the Machine Shed.

C'est la vie in Kubotaland.

Today it is supposed to hit 30 degrees C and my goal (after talking to Tim) is to see how many greenhouse trays I can get washed (outside, since the greenhouses will be like ovens) before I pass out from heat exhaustion.  I'm hoping to get about half done, thanks to my new blue toy--a pressure washer.

Life is good.
Keep an eye on this post, because when I find the camera, there will be some photos of orange things edited in.

Kubota talk is about as inspirational as I can muster this morning, so have a great day, everyone, stay healthy, be safe, and most of all, enjoy life!!  You can't take it with you!!