If I hadn’t just come in from turning over the garden, I’d give you a standing ovation. Well said!

American Country’s “Country Cooking.” I bought it at a used book store and every recipe I’ve tried (and I’ve tried quite a few) has been a gem.

I’ve just started learning about preserving and canning this year. So far, I’ve made a couple of jams, pickles and relishes. I thought they came out pretty good! I felt particularly rewarded when my parents came to visit and they couldn’t get enough of them.

Next on my list of things to teach myself is pressure canning and complex preserving.

I made a half batch, substituting pepperconi peppers for the jalapenos, which I couldn’t get at my local grocery. I also skipped the dill, since I don’t care for dill.

The week of waiting was up today and oh my oh my, are these ever super delish!

Definately a five-chicken rating!

I guess I’m the lazy cook in the bunch. I make home-made bread in the breadmaker a couple of time a week, and pre-slice and freeze it since I hate even day-old bread. I slice it in a slicing guide over wax paper, and let the crumbs air dry on the paper for an hour or however long it is until I bother with them again...and then I add them to my container of crumbs. Since I use bread crumbs so seldom, I always have enough when I do need them.

Kelly’s way sounds so much nicer. I suppose I should feel ashamed...