.. finally

Well after weeks of anticipating moving house, making mum's piccalilli (really more like a relish), strawberry jam and yet more mandarin marmalade.. we're in and settled.
The garden makes me anxious. Too many unsafe places, too exposed to the private road and NO ROOM TO GROW!
Gosh I miss growing vegies already. This is spring and I have this desperate urge to stick my hands in dirt, dig, sew, water, mulch and plan what I'll do with gluts of giant zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and potatoes. I was even going to try corn again this year. At least I kept my curry leaf tree...

Humf! How dull. Still... I've got my new vacola unit and can start using up some of these age old jars I got on freecycle. I'll just have to make a trip down to the markets before the apples hike in price as the season changes. Make some pie filling.. then maybe some strawberry and apple jam next time.

Dud marmalade... YUUUM!

No, Dud isn't a new kind of citrus fruit. This was a batch of Hickson mandarin marmalade. The smell and taste of Hickson's are sooo sweet fresh and delish! I used this at the bottom of muffin tins when making cup cakes. It's going to be yum on a lemon drizzle cake.

I couldn't help but stick ALL of the peel in. It wasn't bitter. It's the seeds and pith that are in the muslin that make it bitter. They have heaps of pectin which sets the marmalade.

I cooked it for HOURS but it didn't set. I think now it was due to my low cooking point and should have upped it alot. BUT even though it didn't set it's the most delish by far!

 I made some Murcot marmalade the following week and it wasn't as nice. Too much sugar for my liking and didn't have the same taste as the lovely Hicksons.

So I got onto lemon butter instead. In my opinion, the microwave method sucks...... well, lemons. It doesn't have that sharp, delightful zesty taste. So I'm doing it by hand from now on. After we move anyway. Time to pack up.
x

Minding My Peas and Cucumbers

You never forget that realization of sheer joy the first time you feel it. For me it was standing in my Father in law's allotment. He was far off picking beans.. or something and DH was about two feet to my right. 

We were elbow deep in raspberry scratches. I remember the delicious tang of the baby soft raspberries in my mouth as I looked up at the biggest cloudless summer sky. I was blissfully relaxed and had DH by my side. It was only then that I realized my joyous passion in life (the first anyway.... :o)

The Cottage Smallholder's lovely write up on this book makes me want it to read it.

I think of my Father in law whenever this topic of allotments pops up.

 

Thanks Gramps! I'm sure I really didn't want to help you that freezing English spring when you asked me to help plant out all those seed trays. 

We ate from your allotment EVERY night that summer with Kippers from the Isle of Man that you brought back. Bliss!!

Home Pickled Onions

I've been itching to talk about this one! This is why I blog.. not to get a bunch of followers (though that's nice) but to blab about things where most of my friends wouldn't be able to share my enthusiasm on the topic.

I love pickled onions but my husband doesn't. But who cares?! I couldn't believe my luck when I found some at the supermarket. Since we're moving I'd much rather pack jars full of homemade goods than empty. Gives a bit of excitement. By the time we move and unpack they should be ready to eat. Though I might leave them until Christmas.

I did these the slow way, brining for 12 (or 24) hours before rinsing then stuffing in the jars with pre-spiced vinegar. All cold. I sterilised the jars and left them in the oven to cool before putting everything together.

 The bucket was clean! I've already packed away my big brining bowl.

I couldn't find any pickling spice mix so I made two of my own. The MAJOR bummer with this is that it's impossible to find chunky dried bits of allspice etc. It's all powdered. So I did what I could though it's left the cloudy vinegar to settle with spice sediment everywhere. No matter, it'll still taste good just will be a little stronger over time than I wanted.

 It wasn't until I'd done the two different spice blends that I realised I prefer white vinegar with a dash of malt... nevermind!

Ta Daaa!

Ok so I bought this loooong cardigan on holiday at the Gold Coast almost 2 years ago. Loved the purple colour but not the figure hugging style. A huge NO NO for pear shapes such as myself. So I finally did something about it.
I turned this......(or a similar)

To this!

 I cut the bottom off, hemmed it (WISH I'd have kept the tie belt as that would have made great edging for the bottom) and cut out circles from the off cut. then stretched them out as I sewed the edges in a button hole type stitch so they went all wiggly. Then pinned them on. I wish I had more material to do the whole collar. I haven't decided if I want them all at the front or all down one side so they'll stay pinned for the moment.

So well done me for being brave and going for it instead of looking for ideas on the internet.. then giving up before I've started.
xx

'bit O' recycling

 When my eldest was about 1yr old his Auntie in England sent some lovely summertime all-in-ones. As it turned out he didn't get to wear them with size growth, season change etc etc. Little boy number two wore them a couple of times but we didn't have a warm enough summer last year.
So! time to get rid of them.... couldn't do it, so I recycled them. I love the innocence of them and even decided to recycle a pair of unworn undies (DS2 has a big juicy bum and they were too small! haha)

 stick em on some vliesofix and off you go.
Below are a few. Riley's 'pants' firetruck on his back

 

 Elephants on the front and lion on the back

 Then onto fixing the curtains that had ripped stitching after the boys had slid down them like a fire pole. I love them. They're so colourful and look like something from my childhood era. Just fun with no branding.

Your Dad's eyes...

A couple of weeks ago I was thrilled to find that my great grandmother (I've been doing her family line) had a previous marriage and son. Pictured below with his wife on their wedding day. He died the following year.
Talking about this to my Dad and the memories he has of his grandfather and extended family sadens me that I can't see any physical evidence. No pictures, no journal, nothing. Back then they'd burn them all.

So I'm very happy to have my great great uncle's pic right here.

 When I talk with the boys and tell them how beautiful they are, I tell them who's parts they're made of (generally!). DS1 is tall like my brothers, my hair and face as a child - except the eyes. He most definately has his Dad's eyes. Soft, warm and deep (hopefully not googly but only time will tell!).

DS2 has Daddy's shaped head and nose. All the rest is mine! Though his eyes are a mysterious mix of blue and... ? Lungs and strength of Daddy (who has his Father's and grandparent's keen cycling abilities) and both extremely gifted in the energy, climbing and problem solving departments. Especially escapism. eek!

This is DH trying to get some sleep in the spare room.. apparently I did some sort of feminine breathing that was too loud for him to sleep through - the nerve!

 It's nice to share family similarities with cousins.

 .. and giggle about them with mums.

I personally find it so important to teach my children about who they are and where they're from.
Seeing those past and learning about them gives me drive, peace and happiness in the knowledge that they are the making of my genes and if they live against the odds that were in their lives then I flippin' well can! I love seeing similarities and owning a great heritage.

I can never really get out what I feel about it.. hope you get it.
x