Oregano is hung out to dry, blanched silverbeet packed in the freezer, seeds ready to go and a kindly neighbour's basil and parsley have been turned into pesto. (I think I have greenhouse envy!)
This cooler weather has really made me feel like knitting again. A few little needed projects using wool from the stash has to be a good thing for the conscience. Especially after a holiday.
Yesterday I made Tarragon vinegar (so simple, it is just Tarragon leaves with vinegar added; I used apple cider vinegar, with time it will have a stronger flavour and apparently it is very good for the liver among other things). At the same time I lightly stewed a batch of rhubarb, preserved in honey (recipe here). I have a big pot of more rhubarb ready to go on the stove right now. I quite like the tang of rhubarb, and I think you either love it or you hate it. Unfortunately I am the only one who loves it in this house. But it will be a nice addition to cream for dessert or a dollop on porridge.
Have you found yourself just that little bit busier in the kitchen lately?
Busier in the garden?
Enjoying the change in season wherever you are?
hi tania...looks like you are back in the swing of things. im on a bit of a clean out frenzy the past few days...all of a sudden I feel cluttered....out it goes!!....that is one serious kettle you have there...its a beauty!! xx
ReplyDeleteIt is the season for sure! I've been decluttering. In the kitchen more too. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather too as I enjoy making soups and stews. And I have a heap of work to do in the garden. Just waiting for a bit of rain to come. xo
ReplyDeleteFor the first time I am raising brocolli and cauliflower seeds from diggers. They are up but do not yet have their true leaves. I am also raising two different types of peas and sweet peas. Our mango tree fruited very will this year, it's first crop so we are trying to germinate the seeds and they seem to be coming along well.
ReplyDeleteBottled 92 bottle of sauce for pasta last Friday, waiting for Summer veg to finish, I think I will be waiting a long time.. :) and thinking about where I can start squeezing in my Winter seeds and seedlings...Autumn is my favourite time of year.....
ReplyDeleteAs you're at the height of end-of-summer-madness, we're at the beginning of seed-starting-prep-for-summer-madness :-) It's always fun for me to see what's happening on the other side of the world!
ReplyDeleteOh! I'm right there with you in your appreciation of rhubarb! It's one of my favorites :-)
Tania, can I ask you what your top few preserving/gardening/self-suffciency/cooking books are??
ReplyDeleteYou are endlessly inspiring.
xDee
Hi Tania
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you what your top fave books on cooking/preserving/self-sufficiency/gardening are?
You are endlessly inspiring,
Dee
(sorry if this comment shows up twice)
Tarragon vinegar sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteMore seed raising happening here. The broad beans and peas are doing well.
How do you find using the stove top kettle? would you recommend the brand?
x
Sure have and I love it. Loe cooking sooo much more in the cooler weather and am loving getting mywinter goodies in the garden at the moment. Pulled out the tomatoes on the weekend which felt liberating. Ready to move onto autumn now:) x
ReplyDeletewondering what seeds you're putting in?
ReplyDeleteI wish we could pop some seeds in the veggie patch - it's very dry here, with no decent rain for months! Not long and we'll be buying a load of water for the tank :(
ReplyDeleteI love rhubarb too! Especially with stewed apple - delish.
looks like so much loveliness going on even amoungst all the busyness. whilst we are not set up at our little acreage just yet, we are planning some planting come April and at home I can't keep up with the fig supply my tree is producing so I think some jam making will eventuate! xx
ReplyDeleteSo much goodness happening in your home at the moment! Up here Autumn is the beginning of the growing season for us...summer is too hot and wet for plants to grow :-)
ReplyDeleteDee and Susan : Thank you for your questions. I hope to answer them soon in future posts.
ReplyDeleteZara : I really do love my kettle. I blogged about it here :
ReplyDeletehttp://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/it-whistles.html
The pesto looks great! Currently I don't have a kitchen - well I have a space but we are having one put in at the moment! I cannot wait to get making/baking/pickling again.
ReplyDelete