We plough the fields and scatter……

Chutney week has now drawn to a close. I am now asking permission to go and scrump as well as offering to pick for wronged neighbours and giving jars of “I’m sorry” chutney. Karma restored? I do hope so.

I have added ketchup to the list of preserved items after I picked what must be the last of the tomatoes. I cut them in half and marinated them overnight in balsamic vinegar and oil along with thyme and tarragon s&p. I then slow roasted them for 2 hours in my fan oven at 120. I then ate some smooshed on lovely bread for lunch. There are no photos as I fell on it like a woman possessed. This might work with out of season tomatoes and make them taste better. (not the nasty pappy pink ones that you get in pubs as a garnish that are never EVEN DRESSED!!!!!!!!!!) Sorry, pet hate of mine. Undressed salad, even if it is only a garnish, is unforgivably sloppy and very probably the cause of tonnes of food waste. Well would you eat it? Me neither. Woo, went off on one there. I’m going to give it some thought and do an entire post about pet hates. I have a birthday coming up and as the years go by I feel the grumpy woman catching up with me and like nothing better than a good moan from time to time. Not all the time I’m mostly sunny really.

So, no more chutney, we move on now to crab apple jelly of the mint and chilli varieties so watch this space.

Bad wind

Woo that got your attention! Truth is I find myself in the tail end of a one time hurricane. I felt the need for distraction from what's going on outside. So here I am!!

Firstly can I say a huge thank you to all those who comment or read. I am always amazed by the generosity of bloggers. Free knitting advice, inspiration and encouragement with the running, heaps of delicious food, someone even liked my hair. Cue Snoopy style skippy dance

I say blogging is distracting me from the weather but fact is the kitchen is distracting me from that.

Today I am dealing with windfall pears, tomato and chilli's.

Chilli Jam, quite pokey.

Pear and walnut chutney

Its all leading to a life of crime however as I needed 8 oz of cooking apple that I didn’t have but that my neighbour who is on hols does have. Yes friend I’ve been scrumping.

I now need to get rid of some of my preserves as I am drowning in them. I love making it (eating it too) but there is only so much a girl can get through.

Glutted

The only problem with taking your hols at this time of year is that you come home to a mountainous pile of fruit and veg that need dealing with urgently.

So far I have;

Tomato soup, Passata roasted on the leftover heat of the barbe, Celery soup made today and enjoyed for lunch, all in the freezer

I have of course had much of the produce fresh in salads etc. or out in the garden, peas find it hard to make it indoors. The dog also loves them. Just the teen to convince. He has had beetroot and declared it ok. He was especially keen when I explained that genetically he was quite likely to have golden wee wee as a result.(sorry about that)

I also have so many plans for pickles preserves and chutneys plus various dishes which I can freeze and enjoy later in the year.

I look forward to sharing the process with you.

Living off the fat

First pickings this week



I have not grown land cress before and discovered a mountain of it. I read that it is very like water cress so I made soup.

Or is that  “purest green” that I have made?

Feta on top. I only had a few peas that day but I could tell that I will be inundated in a few days time. Now, I can happily make myself ill just eating the little beggars off the plants but some say I should share. So! what are your fave pea recipes.

I have been picking strawberries in the rain this morning and as I type I am listening to the sound of lids pinging as the jam I made cools. Its impossibly easy to make, I cant think why I’ve not done it before. I am not a huge fan of jam but I have just forced some down on a fruit scone. No, I make the jam for my lad who still, (he’s13) likes jam and cheese sandwiches. I only allow them on a Friday (for Gods sake woman) Yes Friday is a jam day so we don't use much and now (sorry Tiptree) we buy none but thanks for the free jars.

Garden tour

Yay I’m back. I know that it sounds lame but I did feel lost without the net. Oh dear, I must get out more. So here is my attempt at getting out. A few snaps of the success stories.

Butternut Squash

Tommy Tarties

Chilli flower, now a chilli.

 

Pretty things

Peas. I’ve had the first few, they never made it to the kitchen.

These, now in a vase invoking the most pleasant of youthful memories. The first flowers ever given to me by a man……. My Grandad. xx

While I was away

Oh dear, I have not been blogging much recently. I have been reading though. This time of year is so busy in the garden and this time I am attempting to shoehorn so much more in veggiewise.

I am lucky enough to have two green houses. (I know!) The first one we inherited, Its huge if a little shaded.I grow most stuff here before it goes out. The second glasshouse we brought with us and is for tomatoes only.

I have corn and peas, a farms worth, fortunately the boy will eat them.

These are my spuds

Beetroot and onions

Indoor tomatoes, red cherry, yellow cherry and gardeners delight.

Chilli's

Peppers

The salad bowl .I haven’t bought leaves for 2 weeks and I eat it every day!!

Leftover plants, for the neighbours.

Look at the temperature, phew.

Just a few flowers counteract the productivity. I am going to try and do more blogging I swear. Maybe I’ll show you my hanging baskets, when I get them done that is.

Enjoy your garden folks, wherever it is.

round up

I sometimes wonder how I persuade anyone to come see what I’ve been up to at all. I am so envious of those bloggers who think ahead and write a blog with a focus. So here I m with a round up of what is occurring (Welsh accent optional)

Big excitement, Parcels! First my blog friend Louise and I are having too much fun for our own good swapping themed treats. Funny thing was we used the same pattern from Alice to  make 2 very different things. I will let her (if she wants too) show you what I sent as it hasn’t arrived yet.

I love it all thank you Louise. The next parcel came from Sue at SIBOL

She sent me a coaster commemorating the Royal wedding. Ahhhh.

I am in the early stages of putting together another blanket for the group. I am edging in purple and joining as I go but can’t finish it as I am making this…..

As a rush order for Mums cruise at the end of May. Sublime merino 4 ply in Gigi. Carefully chosen to go with her frocks. A fabulous and addictive free pattern with the lovely traditional pineapples. I will show you more when its all done.

I’ve also been gardening…..

Marvelling at nature…..

Sending the family off to their new homes.

I will try to do better and focus on one thing but the manic phase is upon me and I am so scattered. Aaargh.

By the way thanks for all the kind advice you guys are the best. Thomas and I are fledgling geocachers (there's one to focus on!!!)

Lovely happies to you all

Lou