Garlic Dill Pickle Slices

We continues our adventures in canning continue today, this time with dill pickle slices.  Everyone in out house likes dill pickle slices, especially the boy! The brine mixture is the same as the dill pickle spears we canned yesterday.  

We began with twelve pounds of pickling cucumbers and when they were sliced and processed we finished with eleven pints.  Each pint was prepared with fresh garlic and dill.  In a few jars I added a small jalapeno for spicy dill pickle slices. 

Pickle are an easy vegetable for people new to canning.  It is one of the first things I learned to can, and it's one of the first items I taught the kids how to prepare. 

How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

Junior Toastmasters

Several weeks ago, Abigail prepared her Ice Breaker speech for the PEACH Junior Toastmaster Club.  Unfortunately, due to softball she hadn't been able to present.  Tonight with softball on hold she was able to present her speech.  

It was a sweet tribute to her relationship with Caleb while giving a glimpse into her personality.  As her grammar teacher, I cringed at her use of 'beaten' a few times, but again, it's proof she wrote it, proofed it and did it herself.  I love her independence. 

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

    I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,

    for my lips detest wickedness.

Proverbs 8:6-7

Spicy Dill Pickle Spears

My girl is still on cognitive rest since her concussion last week.  So I've been creative at finding things that she can do without reading, using a computer screen or watching television.  Her doctor is thinking a few more days of brain rest. 

So after today's pantry we made spicy dill pickles out of the cucumbers we bought at the Farmer's Market with Caleb on Saturday.  Caleb and Jon love dill pickles, but they especially like it when I can them with two cloves of garlic, a jalapeno and a sprig of dill in each jar.  

The twenty cucumbers yielded six quarts of dill pickle spears.  Now to let them sit and soak up the flavors.  They should be ready to serve in two weeks.  The great thing about processing pickle is that you can do it in a water bath and you don't need a pressure cooker. 

We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers,
melons, leeks, onions and garlic.  Numbers 11:5

Texas Bible Bowl

Today was week three for Texas Bible Bowl preparations.  In class today, Peter healed the lame man, the religious leaders couldn't argue that a great miracle had occurred!  Peter and John came before the religious leaders and were told not to speak of Christ, but Peter said he would rather obey God than man!  Many were added to their number!  

We reviewed chapters 1-4 in a game of 'Zap.'  It's a game board that allows kids to draw a card if they get a correct answer to a question.  The card they draw can add points to their score or add points to another team score.  The great thing is everyone had a fair chance of winning the game.  It's a great way to keep everyone engaged while we are still learning Bible facts. 

I was really proud of the last player today, Kaiden.  He drew the card to add points to other team scores.  He divided the points so that all teams tied.  Nicely done! 

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Farmer's Market

After the busyness of mid-terms, then a six hour drive home and a day at the fair Caleb was ready to take it easy today.  After a slow morning and big breakfast with Caleb's friends, we headed to the Farmer's Market in Flower Mound. 

I was on the hunt for some small cucumbers but it's a great place to find other goods.  There were herbs, canned goods, homemade cheeses, baklava, candles and much more. 

We enjoyed our share of samples and came home with several goodies.  Caleb found a succulent plant for his dorm room.  It's like a roommate, only neater! 

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.  Ecclesiastes 5:18

State Fair of Texas

We got the approval for Abigail to go to the State Fair of Texas with the kids.  They all got up early this morning and had a little breakfast before Jessica came over.  Next, they ran over and picked up Hannah and met up with Brian; then they were off the Fair Park.  

I am convinced there is no way to see everything at the fair, but they tried.  The Animal Science majors enjoyed the barns.  The girls loved the Taylor Swift exhibit.  The food was a big hit with everyone.  Hannah, Caleb and Brian enjoyed the rides.  It was a great day for these young people and one little sister to hang out.  The Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas kids all enjoyed everything that the great State Fair of Texas has to offer.  

I'm glad that Caleb is the type of young man to invite his friends for the weekend and I really enjoy that they like coming and hanging out at our house!  

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 

I Peter 4:9

Bowling and Musicals

The kids took it easy today, sleeping in and having a late breakfast.  They went out in the afternoon showing their friends a few of Caleb and Richard's favorite spots.  They spent a little time at Pin Stack for a couple of games of bowling.  

Abigail joined them, concussion and all! She took a pair of ear plugs just in case it was too noisy.  J.J. won the first game with Caleb coming in second. For the second game Caleb won with Levi only one point behind him! Abigail lost both games but she was only using a seven pound ball today because he neck and shoulders are still so sore.  

In the evening we had dinner together and we watched Into the Woods together.  It was the musical that LCU presented Family Weekend but the boys hadn't seen the original movie.   I don't think anyone is prepared for Chris Pine (a.k.a. Captain Kirk) singing 'Agony!'

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

Psalm 6:2

He's Home!

We have a house full of kids again!  Today began Lubbock Christian University's Fall break, which means the boy is home for the next several days.  And, just like last fall break, he brought several friends with him.  

Most of the kids came in tonight there are a few more arriving in the morning.  As you can see Padme' was very happy to have the boys home.  Our puppy grew up with house full of Duncan boys at our home and she seemed happy to have lots of boys loving on her. 

The girls were a big help to me getting an extra four beds ready and making sure we had plenty of great meals and snacks. I love every minute of hostessing and doting on the kids friends! It's also good to know that college kids really don't need much just a place to sleep, shower and plenty of food!   

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

Some Like It Hot

With no student today and four bushes full of jalapenos, I took my newly acquired free time to can fourteen half pints of pickled peppers. These are a household favorite on nachos, sandwiches and any Mexican dish. 

Canning them only took a couple of hours and the very best part is that Jon did all the cutting.  He had a break from work and took all the peppers to the table on the back porch for slicing.  The open air kept the house from smelling like spicy peppers.

One of the things I like about canning peppers is that you can do it in a water bath and you don't have to pressure cook them. Above is the link to the recipe I used.  

for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold. Ezekiel 27:22

Great Physician

As promised, today we went to visit our friend Dr. Nicole Lanman.  Nicole and her hubby have attended church with us for about ten years at McDermott Road.  She checked out the girl and agreed that she had a concussion and whip lash.  

The prescription was for no school for the rest of the week, no screen time, no phone, and no reading.  She wants Abigail to rest her brain.  The goal is that Abigail can go to the State Fair of Texas on Friday with Caleb and his friends.  

The girl will be hanging out on the couch this week and no softball for two weeks! 

Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Mark 2:17