Been feeling a bit poorly the last couple of days. Special thanks to Stephanie and Robert who helped so capably with the Preserves class of Tuesday. While I rested up yesterday, Robert went out to the cooking school and finished processing the apricots for me. Excellent. That just left the tomatoes. I kind of over-estimated … Continue reading Dehydrating time for excess tomatoes

And so the saga of the green beetles continues….. I had hoped to eke out a few more jars of raspberry jam from the fruit remaining on those struggling raspberry canes. However, not content with eating the leaves, the beetles have now decided that they like raspberry juice, straight from the berry. As we picked … Continue reading Reverse psychology for jam and jelly, and never-ending beetles

Yes, mixed fortunes here on the farm today. The little green beetles are multiplying fast, eating everything that takes their fancy. Today it was the rhubarb's turn, and just when it was recovering from the ravages of possums. There will be no green leaves left for the little green frogs to shelter under if this … Continue reading Mixed fortunes on the farm

Now things don't alway go according to plan. This is what greeted us in the cooking school this morning, accompanied by a heady beer aroma'd blackberry puddle on the bench. Whoever said less is more? I don't tend to agree normally, but maybe in this instance they have a point. We doubled the blackberry juice … Continue reading What manner of beast is this?

So …. busy afternoon. From last year's freezer stock, I made some 'essence of blackberry' for Robert to experiment with in his making of a new blackberry beer. (The leftover blackberry pulp will be going to Miss Tina the pig of course). The green beetles that seem to have taken up permanent residence here have … Continue reading And as the day progresses …..

For anyone who plans to make pickled walnuts, right now is the time to be picking them. We've been lucky enough to be able to pick several kilos this morning, from a lovely lady's garden in New Norfolk. This afternoon we will be pricking them all over, before brining for several days. We will make … Continue reading Pickling Green Walnuts

Now I've always wanted a couple of mini pigs for pets, but so far Robert hasn't agreed. It's he who would have to build them a house and a proper enclosure, so we're at a bit of a stalemate with that one. Big thanks to Pat and Garry from Tynwald Willow Bend EState for their … Continue reading Mini Tina

Great fun in the sausage making class with Stephanie and Nat here on Saturday. Here's Joe hard at work, now skilled in the art of sausage tying. Lots of different varieties were made, all very delicious. And these below were just for starters …..

It's been a busy few days with several cooking classes. We had some visitors too and just for the fun of it made pizza for lunch, amongst other things. Two of the girls were from Germany and made sauerkraut pizza, a traditional family dish. It may sound unusual, but it was totally delicious. Yesterday was … Continue reading Treats from the kitchen as gifts