Veggie Cup Bouquets & Cucumber Pickles

I got this idea from....surprise...Pinterest.  Sometimes I wish I could say I just made something up myself but usually my projects are stolen/borrowed.  

Anyway!  I just thought this was the cutest little thing.  I wanted to make one for everyone at the party and then quickly reminded that contrary to popular belief (who am I kidding?) I am not supermom.  These were easy but they did take a little bit of time to prepare.  Time = sanity in my life right now.  I think I chose wisely!

First I gathered my supplies.  And by gathered I mean, sent Peter out to the store for toothpicks, celery and spinach since I forgot to purchase those items.  While he was off saving the day, because clearly he IS super-husband, I cut up the carrots, peeled and sliced the cucumbers and got out my tomatoes, cream cheese & glasses.

I peeled and sliced the cucumber first.  If you try this make sure you slice your cucumber pretty thick.  Some of mine were too small and it was hard to get the toothpick in.  Don't make them too big though because then they will fall over.  You might have to experiment.  I saved my cucumber remnants for my cucumber pickle jar.  (Recipe to follow).

I sliced carrot for the center of the flowers and attached them using a small dab of cream cheese.  I cut up the celery to look like stems and then just started creating flowers with carrots, cucumber and tomato.  I only had one color of tomato but these would look even better with a variety (red, yellow & orange).  

I wish I had a better cookie cutter.  If I were going to make this one again I would use one that had more defined petals.  This was a round cookie cutter that had a scalloped edge.  It was all I had in the house small enough to cut a cucumber.  I briefly considered making the petals using a knife free-hand and then quickly reminded myself that was clearly not time efficient.  Remember, time = sanity.

This is a great project to do with bigger kids but you just have to be careful with the toothpicks.  They were pretty hard to get down into the celery and carrots.

Now...on to the recipe.

If you don't have a cucumber-pickle container you should.  I grew up eating cucumber sandwiches.  I know you are thinking right now...that doesn't sound so good.  But you are wrong.  These are the perfect summer sandwich.

Here is how you make a cucumber-pickle jar/container etc.

Peel & slice 1-2 large cucumbers.

Slice 1 medium onion.

Add to a jar or container with 1 cup water, 1 cup cider vinegar 1 T sugar and 1 tsp salt.  I usually double this.  Leave in the fridge overnight and the cucumbers and onions will soak up all the yummy vinegary taste.  You can eat them right out of the jar or on soft white bread with mayo, salt & pepper.  I usually re-use my vinegar mixture for a couple of weeks and then start over.  

I'd love to see pictures of your flower bouquets or hear the creative ways you use veggies in your house!!  We're trying to eat more!