Friday 27 August 2010

Look What I've Been Up To..............

Look what can be done when you have a day off work!  I have been making tomato, courgette, onion, pepper and garlic sauce using veg out of the garden.  I have made wild plum jelly and damson jelly from fruits gathered while out walking the dog.  I have made more chilli jelly as I have given most of the last lot away as gifts.  And finally, as Pete has been working so hard, I made him his favourite rock cakes, just like mum used to make!  Tomorrow I am going out to collect blackberries and apples and next week I am going to raid Mum's garden for more tomatoes, quinces and runner beans.  After I had served Pete (and Billy) homemade spiced lentil soup with homemade bread, I just happened to mention that if only I could retire now, just think how much more I could achieve!!!!!!

12 comments:

  1. Hi Fran, I saw your post on Rhonda's blog, couldn't resist a 'visit' to you, as I was so impressed by your wonderful plans for your retirement. I'm not a sailor, so wouldn't want to do exactly what you're doing, I think it feels good that you and hubby have a dream, a plan and are working towards it, it looks like good fun.......all the best.

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  2. Hi Nanette thanks for popping over for a visit. I also had a look at your beautiful quilts, very clever, I wish I had the patience.

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  3. Oh how lovely Fran. Isn't making stuff to last you through the winter fantastic. And lovely that it's from your own produce. Lovely! Reminds me, I must go to the nature reserve and pick some blackberries now!

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  4. Val - You're right, I love using all the produce out the garden, it gives a certain satisfaction. But I also love getting food for free (foraging) and have been doing more and more of that this year. I have to research ways of making my pension go further, especially if the government get their hands on it!!!!!!

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  5. Janys, If you come to visit you can have rock cakes, fairy cakes, butterfly cakes, whatever you want (mind you can't guarantee the quality!!!!)

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  6. Hi Bowiechick, good to hear from you. Hope you are well, thanks for stopping by xxx

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  7. You've been busier in the kitchen and garden than I have. Our wild blackberries are in and I want to get some too, but timing has been bad for picking. If I don't get some this week they'll be too ripe (or rotten) to use. I have enough jam, I want to can some for winter pancakes. - Margy

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  8. Nice work!! I just got gifted some big cooking apples so I'm torn between making apple jelly vs apple butter (the spiced PA Dutch sort). Will have to look in the hold and see which is in greater demand!

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  9. Melissa, I have never tried or heard of apple butter, but it sounds absolutely delicious. What do you do with it and do you have a tried and tested recipe? Thanks x

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  10. Margy, I have discovered that the blackberries round here are late in ripening this year, so I think it is going to be a couple of weeks before I can pick enough to make blackberry and apple jelly. (Jelly as opposed to jam because of the seeds in the teeth bit!!!)

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  11. Janys, of course we will be around we have a barge to complete!!!! Seriously I work full days Mon, Tues and Thurs and just mornings Wed and Fri, and we will certainly be here at the weekend. So just let us know when you want to come. I will send you a message on Facebook with my phone no. Can't wait to meet you xxx

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