I could blame it on the weather. I could blame it on the insanely cheap and awesome cabbages. I could blame Lynne Rosetto Casper. I could blame the Ball company.

I will not. I feel no shame.I am proud of my quick pickle day.

Starting with a twelve pack of half-pint jars, some random veggies, and an iPod set to shuffle, I've had a wonderful hour or two dancing around the kitchen and playing.

There is vanilla, ginger, Old Bay, curry, salt, dill, garlic, and Hot Sauce in my hair and clinging to my skin and it makes me feel pretty.

My pickles: let me show you them. Three pears and an apple in sugar syrup with ginger and vanilla. Carrots with Old Bay, cauliflower with curry and hot sauce, cukes with Greek spices, and radish slaw with garlic. Cabbage with 'green goddess' spice mix, with roasted paprika, with a rogue black pepper corn, and a jar of odds and ends.

I also did a super quick pickle with some shredded cabbage. That got tossed with some salt and sugar and is now draining out and preparing itself to join dinner.

I feel accomplished, I'm looking forward to trying these out in a few days.

But... That was actually quite a bit of fiddly work. And my kitchen is a mess right now.

Anybody wanna clean it up for me? I'll share my pickles with you.