Hi all!
Earlier this year my husband and I decided to grow our very own veggie garden from seed. This is a task neither had done from start to finish before, and we were eager to learn how to grow our produce together. We knew we wanted cucumbers to be included in the garden. Our eventual plan-jars upon jars of homemade pickles.
It turns out that cucumber vines grow quickly, but the cucumbers themselves grow sporadically enough that we weren’t able to fulfill the dream of jars upon jars, rather just one lonely jar. I wish I could photograph how good cucumbers smell when you first cut into them. Especially ones grown from seed, entirely organic with no chemical sprays. It is almost as if the love and heart put into keeping the plant alive all that time gets ingrained in the flavor and freshness.
We have a family recipe for amazing sweet garlic dill pickles. It is Chet’s grandmother’s recipe and a family treasure. Some things are better left secrets, so I’m not going to be able to share the recipe with you all here, but I have been given permission to give it out if individually asked. 🙂
Now that the pickles have been made and photographs have been taken, it is time for Chet and I to test our will power and wait the few weeks until we can munch on them. It takes time for all the flavors to marinade and for the pickles to absorb the mouthwatering flavor. Enjoy the photos!
Charlene Champion Photography 
Yum! Those look great, Char.
Thanks Sierra! Can’t wait till we can actually open them up to eat! 🙂
Hoo Hoo’s recipe? Yummy! Beautiful pics Char!
This recipe actually came from Chet’s Great-Grandma. The tradition is that you have to wait until Thanksgiving to open the first jar…I think Hoo Hoo just did that to make sure the pickles would last at least until Christmas. Maybe we should get together and make a few more jars! Lovely post, Char!
Your garden has come a long way from dirt, & seed! the unfocused round dish, shallots, & dill next to dark green pickles is pleasing to look at. Dill is quite beautiful when you photograph it! Sliced cukes have cool light shining through. Great photographic hint of prickly pickles. I pricked my hands on many cukes when I was a kid. We had a large prickly pickle patch. I love the steam! You jarred an appetizing content. Did either of you eat a pickle yet?
How wonderful that you bring photography and food into such special relationships! Your mom, Larry and I had a great time exploring your site on the big screen and just now I’ve been browsing and enjoying. Congratulations! You’ve done so much so well and you’re just getting started…you’ve made me one hell of a proud grandpa!
Grandpa you’ve just made my day with this lovely comment! I’m so happy you enjoy the blog. I think of both you and grandma every time I post. I know much of my success is because of your love and support. Now that spring has started to show it’s happy face again there will be opportunities for grilling! Love you so much!