Pickles, Wood-ash and Knitted Toys

A few years ago, my daughter Samantha persuaded me to write a blog. Sounded scary and far too technical for me but eventually I gave it a try and this month marks the third anniversary of those first steps.

I’m so grateful for the lovely responses from my readers. Without them it would be a pointless exercise. The pleasure of sharing my thoughts, photos and crafts with others is still fresh and I hope to continue for as long as I’m able.

This year is passing swiftly and Autumn is well under way. Wet leaves cover the garden. The scent of damp earth and fallen leaves is a pleasure even though the garden looks untidy. The paths are slippy with velvet moss and moisture and I have to tread carefully.

Most of the leaves will be stored in the leaf-bin to make valuable leaf-mould. When it’s fully broken down to a dark crumbly texture I can use it to make seed compost and add to the garden where the soil needs humus. The bin is a simple structure of four posts with wire netting sides. Does a perfect job as it allows the rain, wind and frost to do their work.

The flowers are fading now and I treasure any lingering blooms. Here are some still catching my eye.

I’ve replaced the pelargoniums with winter pansies. Last year I bought the big pansies and was disappointed by their performance. They flopped in the rain and didn’t please me. I resolved not to buy them again but forgot when I visited the nursery. However, later, I needed a few more and this time I remembered and bought the little violas. So pretty, delicate looking but stand up well to winter conditions.

Mellow tones of faded beauty are appearing here and there. The silver Artemisia is looking pretty with its seedheads. Leaves are changing colour and raindrops enhance whatever they fall upon.

In the vegetable garden, I transplanted the kale from the polytunnel to an outside bed. They’re winter hardy and sometimes they develop powdery mildew if I leave them in the tunnel, so I prefer them outside. They will have more room and the rain will do the watering. Next to them the sprouts are coming along. Only tiny sprouts on the plants yet but I hope to have a few for my festive flan at Christmas.

I haven’t grown red cabbage for years but I fancied pickling some. I love pickles and I enjoy making them. It’s really easy to do. So I bought a head from the supermarket . Not as fresh and organic as it would be from the garden but tasty.

I just peeled away the outer layer of cabbage, sliced it, cutting away any of the thick white parts and placed it in a bowl. Sprinkled sea-salt over it and left it for an hour or two, then drained it. Meanwhile, I heated some well-washed and rinsed jars in a cool oven and brought malt vinegar to boiling point with a good pinch of pickling spice. I filled the hot jars with cabbage, packing it down well and with a plastic sieve placed over a funnel I poured the vinegar in. I left a gap at the top and screwed the lids on immediately so the cooling vinegar would seal the jars.

It will soften if left for a few weeks but then it takes on a stronger vinegar taste. I prefer it freshly made and slightly crunchy. Probably the easiest pickle to do and in my opinion very satisfying.

This week was oven-cleaning time. For this job I save fine wood-ash from the log stove. It works like magic to remove grease. Although I don’t do roasts any more I do find that baking anything coats the oven walls with a greasy film. The ash is alkali and quickly dissolves the greasy residues. Plus, any little stubborn specks on the glass doors rub off in a trice. I also use fine wood-ash to clean the electric hob. Sprinkled on and moistened, then left for a few minutes to react, it easily cleans the surface. I keep a jar-full so it’s handy when I need it.

We haven’t had a log fire yet. It hasn’t been cold enough and we’re saving the wood for winter. Our supplier is having trouble with his stock so we are waiting for more before we use the fire. There is some doubt now about the use of wood fires and I can see the sense in that. However, we’ve only got electricity and if there’s a power-cut we’re left without heat of any kind. There is something wonderful about a real fire on a winter’s night. There’s nothing quite like it for comfort and contentment.

I like making up the fire, with kindling from our own garden, paper and logs, with a small amount of ash and charcoal underneath. Putting a match to it on a cold night and watching it burst into life is very satisfying.

Knitting is ongoing now that the garden is winding down. I’ve made another small teddy. He’s a bit fatter than his brother because I probably was carried away with the stuffing. Extra cuddly! I’ve also knitted a rabbit. It doesn’t look very rabbity except for the tail but I’m sure some little person will find it acceptable as a little friend.

I used Val Pierce’s book, “Knitted Rabbits”. Easy patterns, quick to knit and enjoyable but I always find the hardest part of toy-making is stitching a face. Took three attempts with the rabbit.

That’s all for this week. I hope you’re finding pleasure in falling leaves and Autumn pastimes. Bye for now.