We have, like everyone else here, been hot and dry. No rain
at all for weeks now though the weather site has said we were to get thunder
storms on several occasions. How much sweeter the rain will be when it does
come. And how welcomed jacket weather,
Life is abundant here and we prosper in what many would
describe as poverty.
The most recent batch of Pekin
eggs have hatched. 9 lovely new ducklings! Igora, one of the rabbit does, is
due any day. Orchard and gardens are struggling but still alive and producing.
The wildlings are likewise, a bit sparse but certainly still there.
I’ve not been wild harvesting nearly as much this year. I
prepared to go a few days ago, Anya saddled and with harvest bags and all. But
we were both so sweaty from just preparing that I decided not to go and just
unpacked her.
I did go searching for cattail pollen the other day, just
needed a little for a recipe but nada. The cattails I did see were pretty dried
up looking so I left them alone.
Today I’ll be looking for dandelion, lambs quarters and
others to dry for winter potherbs. And harvesting some mints, mugwort and
wormwood and anything ripe in the garden.
The dehydrator runs almost constantly with the most recent
being portabella mushrooms and carrots. 1 pound of fresh carrots makes
approximately 1 quart dried.
Some recent meals were …
* 3 bean chili con queso. I made it with leftover ground
turkey and venison. Red, white navy and black beans and local fresh corn. The
beans were precooked individually before. When the whole thing is almost done I
added the cheese, covered and removed from heat. Just before serving add
chopped onion, tomato and peppers. Delicious!
* Kabobs. I love kabobs! These were venison, portabellas,
squash, black olives, onion, potato, garlic, zucchini and tomatoes. Served with
rice and mushroom gravy.
* Baked Apple hand pies -
I made applesauce from some lovely little barnyard apples and had a
little leftover so I made up some pie crust (half a recipe) and turned it all
into apple hand pies. I cut out circles from the dough. Added a heaping
teaspoon of applesauce to one side and folded over the other side, brush with
egg to help seal and press lightly. Brush top and sprinkle with cinnamon and
sugar. Baked in the toaster oven for about 5 minutes on 350 and then 5 mins on
broiler. They were fantastic with evening tea. We are so blessed!
Speaking of blessings ….
We were gifted a much needed lawn mower!! Ours is beyond dead, poor thing. I had posted
looking for one to trade for but a friend had one she wasn’t using and they
just came by and dropped it off Monday. No trades, just gifted. Most excellent!
And then I received a box today from a dear friend (and my
HPS). It was filled with wonderful things
:) 3 enchanting glass candle holders,
candle molds and books! A wonderful old
Foxfire book, the excellently dogeared Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook and an amazing
book I’ve never seen nor heard of Living On The Earth by Alicia Bay Laurel.
Plus a soap making book and a much sought after Professional Manual of
Botanical Medicines ( a dosage book). I
am so very thankful.
And now a few pictures from the cottage .....
My Great Grandmother Lilly's hoosier
The Hearth and where i cook in winter
In the kitchen
Dried grated carrots
Old loveseat free from craigslist
Same old love seat covered until I can recover it properly or find another. I like the lines of it.
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