Pickles and Preserves

August - the last month of winter and our windy month. We have had a fabulous winter, warm and sunny during the day.  My lemon, kumquat and lime trees were laden with fruit. There was more than enough to share with family, friends, neighbours, passers by and even the monkeys, lol. So I have been preserving and pickling. Made lemon curd, delicious on toast, crumpets and scones, also kumquat jam and I preserved some in brandy and some in a light sugar syrup. Lemons preserved in salt and a lemon pickle from a recipe I found on the web. Loved having my son home for mid year break.

                                                     

    

We have been tidying up the garden, its so dry. Pruning and cutting back shrubs and woody perennials, raking up tons of leaves - it seemed like tons, cleaning out the gutters, preparing for spring rains. Not a bit of sewing since my table runner and its still a flimsy but I have started the stitching on a beautiful free pattern - The Wish Quilt  from Red Brolly Designs

 

Been reading a lot and enjoying the gorgeous winter sun.

Drinking from the dragons well - Alex Smith

Playing sardines - Michele Roberts

The kitchen congregation - Nora Seton

Almost French - Sarah Turnbull

Tales from the time loop - David Icke

The power - Rhona Byrne

Meditation prayer and affirmations - Edgar Cayce

Infinite love is the only truth everything else is illusion - David Icke

The forgotten waltz - Anne Enright

The dancer from Khiva - Bibish

Toast - Nigel Slater