I was cleaning the closet the other day and came across a seriously old unfinished project. Something I started back in the 1990’s…at first house…when I had a strawberry theme in my kitchen. I considered donating the 6 towels and let them be a project for someone else. I have a hard time “throwing in the towel”…pun intended… on a project once I start. 
Way back when I started these I finished one right away and started the embroidery on the second. My trouble was that the fusible web I used was so darn sticky that I had a heck of a time getting my needle through. Frustration level high!!
Machine stitching was my only choice even if it wouldn’t match. I decided that my dishes really won’t care…so I won’t either.
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This edition of T stands for Tuesday is all about my garden….my edible garden that is.
First we have the obligatory beverage. In my case, this morning, it’s still coffee resting along the deck rail. I have three boxes of herbs here and two really sad looking pots behind me in the photo. They are so scraggly and pathetic that I am ready to throw them out. 
My raised bed is doing really well this year. I think having some tree limbs above it trimmed has really helps get the needed sunshine.
Some of my lettuce is ready for a sandwich or salad. I’m thinking I need to boil some eggs for an egg salad sandwich…oh yum. 
This year I decided to plant more than one cucumber plant since in previous years I’ve had such poor production. I also changed the location. They seem to be loving it here. Hopefully I’ll be seeing lots of little cukes from all those blossoms real soon.
My “big garden” has tons of green bean plants that are covered in blossoms and lots of tiny beans beginning to form.
The tomato plants in this garden aren’t looking so great. These are my large red variety vs the small yellow pear shaped ones in the raised bed. Hopefully they will produce some tomatoes.In addition, I have 4 plants at my in-laws house…2 of each variety. Big J is mowing their lawn this summer so I took them up on the offer of using some of their garden space.
Our CSA farm share has been pretty meager so far. The weather here in MN has been less than ideal. So many fields are under water. What we’ve gotten from the farm share has been good quality…just not much in the quantity.
Another busy Tuesday for me…I’ll be around to visit as soon as I can…
What are you doing today?
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Good morning…welcome to T stands for Tuesday.
Today I’d like to share my new refreshing summer drink with you….in my favorite glass, of course. I love this glass so much. Recently I had a nightmare that I broke the top off it in a wickedly jagged form…I was very happy to wake and realize it was just a bad dream.
So what’s in the glass?? It’s a shrub or drinking vinegar. Ok…not as gross as it sounds. In fact, quite tasty. The first I ever heard of a shrub was from Kim over at art in red wagons. Recently, I’ve started out the morning drinking a tablespoon or so of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water usually with a touch of honey or molasses. I know…a little wacky but I like tart flavors and the health benefits are great.
This brought me back to thinking about a shrub…then we got our first CSA box this past Wednesday. Not a whole lot in it since our growing season has been less than ideal so far. The was rhubarb though. I’m the only one in the family that likes it. I started searching recipes on Pinterest and a shrub recipe appeared.
Making a shrub is not an exact science. Here’s what I did.I chopped approx 2 cups rhubarb and a half dozen or so organic strawberries into a glass bowl. Then sprinkled 1 cup of sugar over top and shook it around to coat. This mixture went in the refrigerator overnight to macerate.
I poured everything into a clean dry canning jar..it was approx 2/3 full at this point. I then filled the jar to the neck with raw apple cider vinegar. I labeled it and let it sit on the counter, giving it a shake everyday. The recipes I found said to let it sit for a week before draining off the liquid and storing it in the fridge but I was very anxious to try it.
Making the shrub is very simple. I poured approx 1/4 glass of shrub syrup over ice then filled the glass with club soda. It was slightly tart, slightly sweet and bubbly. Very refreshing.
What do you think? Would you try this? Does it sound appealing at all?