...and he takes the tractor another round, another round, another round...

Spring means lots of things, but around our house, all the talk was about the garden.

And after a not so successful season (that is why there were no during shots), the boys have decided they are going to have to devote more time next year!!! Although we did have corn, black-eyed peas, okra, and more peppers than you can imagine, Rob mowed down what we was left last weekend! We were disappointed that we didn't have more squash and cucumber, from which Rob made these delicious pickles:

Aunt Allie's Dill Pickles 

(from Mississippi Magazine July/August 2010)

6 pound small fresh cucumbers

16 fresh hot peppers

16 teaspoons dill seeds

16 teaspoons mustard seed

16 cloves fresh peeled garlic

6 cups white vinegar

6 cups water

12 tablespoons pickling salt

 

Wash and sterilize 8 quart jars and lids. To each jar add 2 teaspoons dill and mustard seed, 2 cloves garlic, and 2 hot peppers. Wash cucumbers and pack into jars. Bring vinegar, water, and salt to rolling boil. Fill jars with boiling mixture. Seal immediately. Pickles will be ready to enjoy in 4-6 weeks. Any soon, and the pickle flavor will not have time to develop. 

Yield: 8 quart jars
Can't wait for next year!!!

Princess "Leo" and the "walks"

Well I have been waiting, waiting until the day when my little boy grows up, leaves behind Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, and The Jetsons, and becomes obsessed with Star Wars. Well, the time has come. He is now all things Obi Won, Luke, Yoda, Hans Solo -- loves them all. And, (as Rob would interject, "just like his mother,") he cannot watch this movie without asking 100 questions about every scene. The best part, though, is that in true Reed fashion, the "off" words are in full effect. 
Princess Laya -- Princess "Leo"
E-woks -- "Walks"

And speaking of the off words, here are a few more from summer:
Icee -- "snowy"
Sunburn -- sun"bites"