Today seems to have become a cooking day. Steaming veggies for the dogs happens a couple of times a week, but I also made another bread pudding, and then pan-fried some eggplants (quartered lengthwise) to freeze for a recipe from Cypress that calls for a few of them on top of a pork, tomato, and onion casserole. A gift to myself for next winter.

Next comes a batch of crispy pecans (they bake very low for several hours). While they're in the oven I can pack a few jars with cucumber spears, pour over hot brine, and put them in the fridge. It's easier to give away pickles, and though so far I've managed to keep up with the crop, I think people are getting a bit tired of cucumbers. Prep time for all of these things is quick, so as long as they cook or bake without much attention it's a great way to multi-task.

Charmion, are all of the spices and Mason jars and bottles of wine packed? Patty, were you able to get rid of the dodder? That stuff is pretty awful. What is the host plant in your area?