The Fruits (or vegetables) of our Labors

We love our garden, particularly in the fall.  We love that the kids help pick out what we plant, they help up plant, and occationally, they help us weed.  But most of all, we love the food!  We love beans, and they grow really well in the fall.  So this year we planted 6 rows of them: 2 of contender, 2 of wax, and 2 of blue lake.  That gave us somewhere between 60 and 80 plants.  Yes, that's a lot, but beans are so tasty (everyone here loves them), and they put up really easily.



don't adjust your screen, that is a nasty rash.

  We've had some pretty unseasonably warm weather here this past month, which has been great for the garden (but makes it hard to put one in the holiday mood).  So when I went out on Monday to pick the beans, I wore shorts and a t-shirt (we were in the mid-upper 70's).  Normally, I wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt with my gardening gloves. 

 And I'm pretty sure that I'll be wearing full gear next time I go out to pick.  I spent at least 30 minutes out picking beans in my shorts, and when I came in, I noticed my legs and arms: I had a rash from my knees to my ankles, and from my elbows down.  A horrible raised, itchy rash.  I pulled out the OTC hydorcortizone (I decided to wait on the Rx stuff), and used it as lotion, and took a claritin as well.  Two days later, I'm still itching, but not as badly.  Who knew one could be allergic to bean leaves?

 I pulled so many beans (and this is only a third of what was on), it took me 45 minutes just to trim the ends.  It only took an additional 20 to snap them, blanch them, and bag them for freezing.

 But now, despite my bad reaction, we've got beans for later.  We did 6 1/2 quart bags, enough to fill the bowl we usually have veggies in for dinner.  The only problem is, I've got to do this all again this weekend.  Maybe I'll send Eric out to pick.