Tom-ay-toe or To-mah-toe?

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Deborah

I have oodles and oodles of the luscious red garden fruit and have been in tomato heaven for the past couple weeks. Highlights have been making Tomato~Basil Jam, Green Tomato Relish, eating them every morning with my toasted cheese and tomato sammie, as well as thinly slicing them for pizza nights. I have also spent part of this past weekend making homemade pasta sauce. Which turned out 1000% better than last year’s batch, mainly because last year I had those stupid tomatoes that wouldn’t turn colour until December, no seriously, I had tomatoes sitting on the counter at … Read more...

Painful Weekend

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Deborah

I am so very grateful this morning. Grateful that it is actually Monday. Monday should be called the ‘day of rest’, not Sunday. Hubby and I hurt in so many places, every time we move even a pinkie we both wince. Watching us get up from a chair, you would think we were in our 90’s. What is wrong you ask?

Roofing.

The weekend forecast called for clear skies, plenty of sun and temps in the range of 22C to 24C. Not too hot, just about perfect weather for climbing up on the garage roof to strip off the old … Read more...

It’s Roofing Day!

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Deborah

Or weekend for that matter. Last year we replaced the roof on the Homestead cottage (read post here), but the garage didn’t get done at the same time and now it needs to.

So up we go again. Hubby says I don’t have to help with this one as it is a straight 2-sided peak, no funky angles and stuff.

So do I continue to can tomato sauce or go help him?

Tough decision…… I think tomato sauce will win this battle.

Stay tuned for a recap next week!

Mint Jelly

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Deborah

We are continuing the Jelly theme this week. Mainly because I have an overabundance of mint (who woulda thunk such a thing could ever happen!), anyone who has ever grown mint can attest to the virility of the fragrant herb.

I used to have mint planted IN the garden. Then it tried to take over the world. I dug it up in the Fall a few years ago, then spent a couple Spring’s digging/chopping out runners that were popping up all over. After 3 years, it has been eradicated from the garden. Until last year when I started one from … Read more...

Peach Jalapeño Jelly

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Deborah

Peaches are probably my second favourite fruit….right after Strawberries. Good thing one is out of season before the next comes in, otherwise I wouldn’t know which delicious, delectable delight to grab first.

I have already put away loads of Strawberry Freezer Jam, Strawberry Lemon Marmalade and bags of whole frozen berries…but now it is time for…

Peach Bonanza Season!

Chipotle Peach Jam was made first, with Peach Jalapeño Jelly hot on its heels. Less labour intensive than the Chipotle Peach Jam, as you just seed and roughly chop the peaches and chop the peppers leaving most of the seeds in … Read more...

Tomatillo Monster

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Deborah

I have a gardening success.
A HUGE gardening success.

I have effectively mastered the art of growing Tomatillos.

Last year I tried to grown them and I failed miserably. Out of the three plants that were lovingly placed in the ground, 2 died and the third one grew and grew and grew and put forth masses of flowers and continued flowering like it was the last flowering plant on Earth.

But not one Tomatillo developed.
I was devastated.
OK, not really, but it was rather upsetting.

Reason being, Tomatillo plants need another Tomatillo plant beside them in order for the … Read more...

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Deborah

I am back from Vacation. Did you miss me? I hope so.

I love vacations. They allow you to spoil yourself with too much food, too many spirits, too many late nights and too many days sleeping in. All that spoiling leads to weight gain and a vacation hangover of monumental proportions.

Time to get back in control before I become the eighth Dwarf named Glutton.

I did accomplish quite a bit of stuff around the Homestead though. The gardens kept me busy picking and weeding, along with herbs being trimmed, washed and hung to dry. With the bounty … Read more...

Vacation Time…

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Deborah

Yes, it is actual vacation time.

Last time was a forced vacation due to Cyber-Space issues.

For the next week I will be off enjoying the waning days of summer as well as canning/preserving lots of fruits and veggies and doing lots of other important stuff that I need to get done…someone has to do it….may as well be me. Enjoy the peace and quiet.

See you in a week or so, don’t forget to feed the cat while I am gone.

In a Pickle?

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Deborah

Garlic Dills.
Bread and Butter Pickles.
Sweet Gherkins.
Pickled Beets
Pickled Onions
Pickled Radishes
The list goes on..

Who doesn’t love a good pickle?

I have added dill pickles to my canning repertoire this year. This being my first attempt at making dills , I am hopeful they will come out exactly like I envisioned them. A crisp, garlicky dill pickle to grace my hamburger or to compliment my grilled cheese. We shall find out in a few weeks after the required sitting time.

I had emailed my internet gal pal out west for her pickle recipe, but she was … Read more...

Fall is in the Air

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Deborah

This past weekend was a chilly one at the Homstead. Well, for me anyway. Hubby hates the heat so he reveled in the cooler temps that finally graced the area. With highs of 20C barely being reached and overnight lows of 12 to 14C, it was a stark reminder that the Northern Summers are fleeting and before we know it, the snow will soon be flying.

The days have already shortened considerably from what they were a month ago. The sun taking longer to reach over the roof to warm the deck on the north side of the cottage. What … Read more...