First Preserves of my Year! RADISH RELISH

Every year I plant radishes. Because they are one of the first things that can go in! They go next to the lettuces and the Swiss Chard... just after the peas. But, every year I think "what the heck do I do with all of these radishes!" Mainly because I like a tiny little bit in salads, and that's about it.

So, this year, I decided I would find some way to preserve them. I'm pretty tickled with the results.

RADISH RELISH

INGREDIENTS
3 cups stemmed radishes
2 large ribs celery
1 large red onion
2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 tbls mustard seed
2 tsp dill seed
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 cup vinegar
2 tbls prepared horseradish

METHOD

Put the radishes, celery and onion through the coarse blade of a grinder, or chop them finely (A food processor was WAY easier than attempting to chop all this produce!) Mix with remaining ingredients and allow to stand three hours. Bring to a boil in a large pan and cook ten
 minutes. Pour into hot jars, leaving half-inch head space. Adjust lids and process 1/2 pints and pints in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.


I used the smallest jars I had, only because I really wasn't sure what this was going to taste like! I figured it would most likely get consumed in small quantities. However, it's not spicy or hot at all, but really flavourful! Will be nice on sandwiches as well as burgers or hot dogs, or even to mix in with creamy salad dressings.

I am at Peace.

I'll probably be in this house another 6 years. When my goal was to be out and in my own home well before now. That's okay. I'm good with it. Maybe this is where I'm supposed to be till the kids grow up and all move out. I am at peace with it.

I may never catch up on the house work, and the yard work, and all the fix its that need attention. That's okay. I'm good with it. I do what needs done, in order of priority. I am at peace with this.

I may never be a millionaire. Or even a hundred-thousand-aire. And maybe not even a ten thousandaire. That's okay. I'm good with it. I always find what we need to get by, plus a few treats. (the kids got a few shorts and T's for summer this week. I'm feeling pretty satisfied.) I am at peace with this.

I may never be what others think I should be. I may not behave how others feel is the right way to behave. I may not live how others feel is the 'right' way to live.  That's okay. I'm good with it. Because I really really like myself. I'm in love with myself and my life. I'm the best I've ever had.

Living in Limbo.

So, it was brought to my attention last night, that it has been nearly a year of living in limbo.

Really, September is a few months off yet... but when it was worded that it's nearly been a year.. well.. I cried. It was a quick emotional response to a few different things. But it surprised me, and I quickly tucked it away for later. You know. When there's time to cry.

It's not like I haven't DONE things this year. I feel more.. ME. More honest about who I really am. I think that's what I feel. I've learned a lot of things about myself, and those around me. It's also a really interesting feeling to know that I don't need someone to take care of me, that I'm responsible for my own sh*t, no matter what way it falls. Up until this last nearly-year happened, I always had someone to fall back on... or to blame.

I'm really appreciative of this living in limbo time. It's given me a window to figure out some stuff. Inside and out of myself.

More and more though, I'm feeling like limbo time is almost done.

There's also this business in the last few days about thinking of moving to Nova Scotia. It's filled my brain and excited possibilities, and then my cousin down there got in on the dreaming, and then people in the thrift store where I work part time kept mentioning they were from Nova Scotia or down east, without my prompting. I'm wondering what that's all about.

The phrase I kept hearing was "What are you running from?"

And here I thought I was running forward. ha!

The play is almost over. Time to get back to the business of life. MY life. And what brings me pleasure and happiness. Gardening. Creating. Momming.

Life is Good. It all works out.

L.

It Is a Country Home...

It is a country home. Not too far out, but not in town either. It has enough land for me to manage, enough land for privacy, enough sun for growing foods, and enough shade for comfort.

It is a good home, a solid home, a home just big enough. Big enough for lounging and creating and cooking and dancing.

There is love there. Love is invited in, and embraced. There is joy, and laughter, and understanding and knowing there. And Comfort. There is comfort there. I am settled there.

I am secure there. Secure in heart, secure in home. It is mine.