Vickie's This and That, September 5th Issue

September 5, 2016 - Good evening, I heard through the grapevine that many have been missing Vickie's This and That. I have just been lazy. That is the only excuse I have. Life has been busy and I have just been enjoying each day basically doing nothin'. I planned to do 'This and That' this spring but I got so discouraged by my garden; my heart just wasn't in it.

I did plant, replant, and replanted again. The rain just came and came. It seemed that every time I said the word "garden" more rain fell. I finally just let it go and boy it didn't take long for the weeds to get waist high.

I did find a patch of purple hulls peas that was free; you just had to pick them yourself. I did pick them on 2 separate occasions with the help of my youngens'. I was able to can 34 quarts. 

It was funny to see Sean, Kevin, J.J. and Scott picking peas as the grass was high and with stickers too boot. They finally appreciated all the hoeing and plowing done in my garden. I never liked a grassy garden as I wanted to see what I was picking and where my feet were stepping. I never wanted any unpleasant surprises, especially the crawly kind. 

Next, I brought some pinto beans and put up 19 quarts. Then bless the Lord, I found a wonderful company whose vegetables were fresh and flash frozen but most of all in great condition. I ended up canning 16 quarts of cream peas and 20 quarts of zipper peas. My stash is good for another year and I have already been enjoying the fruits of my labor.

One thing I did discover this year is my health/strength isn't the same as it was two years ago. I think a big garden is out of the question. It was more a chore and not a pleasure working the garden as it usually is. To the joy of my children, I think, I have planted my last big garden. Next spring it will be only cabbage, string beans, tomatoes, squash, and peppers. They are not nearly as hard to work.

I am trying to get the grown grandchildren interested in canning their veggies. I want them to know how as so many of that generation doesn't have a clue. I don't want the art to be lost. As for now, I will probably not be sharing any of my gardening tips and I will go back to posting recipes. Be sure to let me know if this is working.

Peach Cake
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoon of fat (Crisco)
1/2 milk

Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in fat with knife. Mixing with knife, slowly add milk. Spread mixture in greased shallow pan. Cover with peaches

Peaches
2 cup of peaches
1 cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves

Mix ingredients and spread on soft dough. Bake 20 minutes in moderate oven (350degree) until set. Cut in squares and serve fresh. Cream or hard sauce can be served with this dessert. (This is an old recipe from the 30's).

Surprise Drop Cakes
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
2 2/3 cups of flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup crushed pineapple

Cream butter and sugar together. Add milk, extracts, salt, flour, and baking powder. Blend well; then add eggs beating 2 minutes. Half fill greased muffin pan Insert teaspoon of pineapple to each muffin tin space. Bake in moderate (350 degree) oven for 15 minutes. (From the 30's also)