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.

. . . the art of imperfection

Japanese: the art of imperection is Wabi-Sabi.  I have fought against the perfect day every Christmas Day that we took over th family traditions.  Refusing to fall in with perfect potsition of chairs and presents under a tree.  Kids do not see the details.  As parents we feel them!  I just want the experience NOT the perfectiuon.  The experience replays in my mind with details, perfection does NOT!

I love reading Down Under, the reflection on life parallel mine in reflection but not always in practice1

Seaons and the 'Heat Wave'

The temperatures in my area can vary up to 15 degrees the 150 miles of coastline, but the islands are generally cooler.  I live a a hillside looking over a valley with a sliver of the Sound and an Island.  The high temps for this week are:  today 89, Sunday 90, Tuesday 90. These highs are predicted in the big cities that are about 30 minutes south of me.  One of the local saying here is 'Summer doesn't start until after the 4th of July".  And yes, we have had cold and downpours on the 4th in the past.

Summer has always been my least favorite time of year.  I love the the gardening and learned the early morning and dusk are the best times to be out working and taking care of animals.  I sit in the shade or stay in the house during the heat of the day to avoid getting too much sun (I don't mind being pale).  We are known for low 70's with the occasional heat waves.  My choice not to leave this area is because of the temperate climate and of course the beauty!

I absolutely LOVE spring and fall.  Spring brings lots of rain but the new greens are brilliant against the dark evergreen forests.  The first hints of spring are my favorites, the daffodils, crocuses, the unfurling of the ferns, the songbirds waking from winter.  Fall is the time of warm colors, browns, oranges of the pumpkin and leaves, yellows.  I love the warm days of 75 with breezes and cold nights down to 50 degrees.

And then comes winter, not many like winter here.  We get a LOT of rain!  Many grey days!  This has never bothered me, a good book, a cup of tea and the drum of rain has always soothed me.  We rarely get snow and it almost never sticks around, some years none.  Not many like winter around here and we do have a lot of SADD in the population.  So this is why the week is going to be unbearable for me and yes the temps around the country are going to be much hotter which is not comparable because I choose here.

Went fishing!

. . . .  with my parents, Aunt and Uncle and a cousin on Spectacle Lake, WA.  Oh my, but we had a good time.  My dad had surgery on his back about a month ago and I was glad I had agreed to go (this trip wasplanned a year in advance).  I loaded and unloaded the boat each day.  I helped him in the boat and it took Mom and I both to haul him up onto the dock. We caught limits of trout on 2 of the three days.  One bucket was salted for pickling and the rest were frozen.  I think it was just the 'tonic' he needed.  When not fishing, we played games and enjoyed the view.

From Spectacle Lake Resort

Island Retreat . . . . . .

This week, while at my parents for a few days, I spent a day mowing the lawn, digging in some bags of steer manure, changing license plates, emptying the composter, storing the compost, starting a new batch, and washing a dog.  They have been slowing down which is so hard because the mind still thinks younger.  I used to think they would be around forever but knew this is not possible.  Generations of family is such a gift.  Looking back into the past with wonderful memories, then living the future and building (like blocks) memories for our children and grandchildren.