It was high time to visit my freezer "garden". The stall at the gate was getting low on preserves and the freezer full to overflowing. The cooking school was in great need of a tidy, and I think making jam always lightens any task. Combining the two would balance things out. By the time the … Continue reading From My Freezer Garden

Books were threatening to overtake the house, covering tables and work surfaces everywhere. We decided it was time to buy a couple of small bookcases for the lounge room. It has worked really well, especially for Rosie, our middle cat. She is a dear little thing, friendly and lovely to all except Truffles the kitten, … Continue reading Our Rose

A couple of days ago we had a neighbour call in with some medlars for the bletting, wonderful! They are 'finishing their time' in a box of straw in the shed. It won't be long before they are steeped in vodka and sugar to make this year's supply of medlar liqueur. Next day our neighbour … Continue reading Time for Medlar-ing

Snow! We had been told that last year was exceptional, that snow hadn't settled on our property for 30 years. In scenes reminiscent of last winter, it's showing every sign of sticking around for an hour or two yet, hopefully more. The sun is trying to break through, but so far the snow is keeping … Continue reading The Snow Returns

So Poppy's treats jar was empty and given the weather, it's a good day for baking. I decided to make a double batch of the little dog biscuits she likes so much. Two hours later and the task is finally finished. It seems, and I know I actually did, cut out hundreds of them - … Continue reading Treat Time for Household Pets

Herman the Bread Oven is getting a roof over his head, to serve as protection from the rain, frost and snow, to keep 'him' in optimum condition. Robert has been hard at work for days now.  The timber from the old rickety and as it turned out, unsafe, carport that stood in front is gone, … Continue reading A Hat for Herman

A salute to these celebrated feathered ladies of our property. This is how they wait each afternoon for Robert to take them their top-up of grain before bedtime, to keep them warm during the cold winter nights. Some might consider them demanding as they wait and pace under my study window, but I am happy … Continue reading Feathered ladies, take a bow

OK, so it wasn't my final word after all, surprise surprise. Not mentioning any names (Stephanie Kate, Miss Crunchy since childhood) - for those who think they only like bread with a crisp crust, all that needs to be done to make it so is to pop the loaf, once it's out the jar of … Continue reading Crisp Crust enthusiasts

Time of reckoning this morning - would the loaves come out of the jars and what about the texture and taste? Getting the bread put the jar was simple, no problem at all. The texture was good and it tastes delicious, albeit a little 'yeastier' than usual, but not too much. It made wonderful toast … Continue reading The Bread that the Preserver Cooked

Well, what do you know! It actually worked, despite the overflowing of the dough. After the excess had oozed out, the jars sealed as usual. The loaves appear to be light and fluffy and none the worse for wear for their slight over-yeasting. I am very pleased indeed - this idea and method has great … Continue reading Surprising Success