Holy Beets!

let's be clear here... i don't even like beets.

and neither does rowan or bubba. 

but they sure were fun to grow. 

and i'm even a bit crazy enough to grow more! 

don't ask why.. 

so bubs and i pulled up all of the beets. 

and the soil and location weren't the best, so they didn't grow to their full potential, but that's ok. 

i'm hoping for some new raised beds on the side of the house by next spring. 

ssshhh... don't tell bubba. 

i haven't let him know yet! 

of course rowan lets pulling carrots. :)

so i decided that being as some of my family members, including my mom, love pickled beets, that i would make some pickled beets!

even though i've never even eaten one myself. 

didn't know what i was doing. 

and didn't know how they would turn out because there was no way i was going to try these out myself. 

so.. i cut off all the leaves except about 2 inches. and left the roots intact. 

boiled them for about 20 mins until i could poke with a fork.

then i made this mix. this is the hot liquid that goes into the jars. 

with vinegar, water, and some spices like allspice and chives.

in the middle of all my canning glory.. this happened:

seriously. 

please tell me WHY the foot went in the window to begin with?

who does that? 

now it was time for a cold water bath, some skinning and chopping. 

it looked like a murder scene in my kitchen. 

but i'm hoping that in the end these will make great Christmas gifts. 

p.s. rowan's foot was saved. after i took pictures against her will.