Family.

My brother and his family are here to visit.  I so love seeing them and took the girls over for a few days to be with cousins, the had a good time playing cards and hanging out.  We too a fishing trip to a friends pond.  What a lovely day!  I have pictures but am having trouble downloading.

Again, 100 things

Yes, more out the door!  Gifted away 7, which includes 3 lengths of fabric and the equivalent of 4 rolls of film.  This time was a big deal.  I went thru my stash of pictures which haven't made it  into the photo albums (since 2nd child was in grade school, hmm).  I have decided to create separate albums so the kids won't have to do it in the future, but will keep them with me.  I thru out pictures measuring 10 inches high equally approximately 25 rolls of film with about 36 pictures to a roll.  I was hoarding bad pictures.  Small items that still carry weight.

update on 100 thing . . .

. . .  out of the house!  11th attack.  This one includes a re-purpose, gift away (a dry sink), and selling of 11 books.  I actually loved the dry sink and it would be good in a potting shed but I am swimming in furniture.

Adding to my pantry

I have roasted  4 pie pumpkins, measuring 2 cups into freezer baggies for pies, muffins and dump cake.   I do have 3 more to do (tomorrow).  The seeds were also roasted and I have a quart jar full.  Also, two more batches of dehydrated apples are put away.  My pantry is overflowing,  I have done more this year than ever.  Not enough to be independant but I feel good expanding and experimenting.  A few fails were no plums and I did not pick blackberries for jam, jelly and syrup.

We had our first bone chilling cold, wind chill brought the temperature down and tonight may get down to 28 which is extreme and early for us.

Fall had returned.

100 things exiting the house, I love keeping record of my progress (10th batch).  With a lifetime of accumulated objects it's hard to see beyond the mess.  I really need to get back into the basement and become a lot more ruthless.  I am learning and getting better at letting go.

A have had a good fall putting putting away jam,  drying apples and expermenting with dried zucchini, candied zucchini, candied pumpkin (both dried), kale,  some herbs, dried and powdered vegies to add flavor to soups and stews.  The candied zucchini was something I read about and it reminds me of golden raisins.  So I tried pie pumpkin and it's interesting and good.  I simmered the zucchini for half an hour in concentrated apple juice and 1 can of water (no lid), drained it and dried it.  The pumpkin simmered closer to an hour, it was just starting to fall apart, drained and dried it.

I didn't get out and pick the blackberries this year, a big fail!  Seedless jam is a  big favorite and syrup for pancakes (it never gets to the pancakes though because the syrup is so good on ice cream).  No plums this year, another favorite jam and perfect for drying.

I am enjoying the return of fall.  Especially after the excessive heat of this summer.  Still a little warmer than usual but I'll take it.

A very busy day!

I started my day cleaning apples for the dehydrator, a sackful.  The peels and cores went into the pot to simmer for jelly.   There is enough now for another batch, I have been freezing the juice and am hoping there will be enough to make a couple half pints of syrup.  Also,  I made Mojo de Ajo with 8 heads of garlic and Oh my! the house reeks of garlic.  I have not made this before and am looking forward to trying out this condiment.  Baked garlic is so good, but this is DEVINE!!

                                                                                                                

Yesterday someone gifted me with vegie tray leftovers (broccoli and sweet peppers, blanched) that is now dehydrated and my son made 4 pies (2 with a friend).  The vegies will be made into powder along with a half pint of the dried zucchini (from A Working Pantry),  I am hoping the broccoli is not too strong.

And yes, I am thinking of Christmas and have bought a few small things.  I need to start my list!

Fall . . . .

. . . seems a couple weeks early.  Some trees are in the middle of turning already.  Beautiful, very warm days and night under 60 degrees.  Yay, and what a relief!

I have been busy!  Pulling stuff out of drawers and tossing more 'stuff' (half my make-up went).  Started washing blankets for the winter.  One blanket need repair before washing.  The comforter and 2 sleeping bags will be done at the laundromat because of their size.  Six books left my bookcase for their rightful owner.  A load of recycles went and a couple sacks to the Goodwill truck.

For the pantry I have dehydrate 2 3 quarts of zucchini (apparently I cannot count), this is new for me to try.  I think adding about a 1/4 cup to soups or stew will equal about 3/4 a cup fresh.  Also in the dehydrator went apples, the grandgirls love them as a treat.  The peels went into a batch of apple peel jelly adding 11 jars to the pantry.

Feels so good!  And yes, so much left to do.