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| We are fortunate enough to live a minute away from Moore's Orchards; their shed filled with hampers & hampers of all varieties of apples, fresh pressed cider, frozen berries & these crab apples that caught my eye..... |
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| one 4 litre basket of crab apples + sugar + a touch of lemon = 8 tasty jars of crab apple jelly |
 www.scottsbarn.ca |
| a mirrored window on Pat Scott's barn reflects the gorgeous sky |
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| One year ago today we picked up Archie from a shelter in Whitby! We couldn't imagine life without him & celebrated with a few new squeak toys and a sweet potato baked just for him (one of his favourite foods) |
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| A cold first day of October--the perfect time to visit 1812 Antiques in Grafton. Pat Poisson, the owner, always has a beautiful chandelier in the shop window, and artfully arranges her treasures |
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| a sweet dollhouse for sale--the roof opens up to reveal the interior |
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| another dollhouse made by the same person; this one does not open. Wouldn't it be perfect under a Christmas tree or in a window? |
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| Pat's dog, a Shiba Inu named Rennie, is always in the shop. She told me that her Japanese name is 'Little Princess Falling Blossom'! |
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| lots of activity at the Cobourg harbour today; boats were being taken out of the water with a crane and lined up on the pier awaiting storage |
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| there are still some gorgeous dahlias hanging on in my garden |
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| the frogs in our pond have multiplied to an incredible number |
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| a pic of the cutting garden |
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| luscious colours of a fading rose |
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| the garden seems even more precious now that a frost is only days (or weeks) away |
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| this is Lisa's favourite dahlia this season |
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| .......and this might be mine, although that will probably change by next week! |
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| the zinnias have been amazing this summer; I started several varieties from seed and all were beautiful. Hopefully I'll have time to try dyeing wool with some of the blossoms before frost |
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| Today was honey extraction day; the first sunny day that we have both been off & home at midday. Here Brian is holding a capped frame of amber coloured honey & wishing I would stop taking photos. |
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| the hive is loaded with bees now that all the supers have been taken off |
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| bees are not too happy to have their harvest removed, but not aggressive like last year |
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| using the uncapping tool to remove wax cappings before placing the frame in the extractor |
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| opening the gate on the extractor to let the honey pour into the seive |
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| the finished product---amber coloured & a distinctive taste--almost like caramel |
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| Adam's beautiful hand-drawn label |
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| a September visit to Jennifer's garden in Grafton; an amazing gardener, cook and flower arranger. This cozy sitting area is frequented by Monarch butterflies landing on the buddleia & Japanese anemones |
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| tomatoes growing on a bedframe |
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| there is always a supply of healthy greens |
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| even in fall, there is a palpable energy in the garden |
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| canned peaches, off limits until the snow flies |
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| a batch of Peach Jam with Grappa |
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| Peach Jam with Grappa 12 cups lightly crushed peaches (with a potato masher)—I blanch the peaches for 30 seconds in boiling water and then immerse in cold water so the skins slip off easily 14 cups sugar 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 boxes fruit pectin (I use Bernardin) ¾ cup grappa 1 ½ teaspoons butter Bring to a steady boil, stirring frequently till jam is set. It helps to have a couple of small plates in the freezer to drop a teaspoon full of jam upon, and check to see if it sets—wrinkles & thickens. This batch took about 15 minutes at a soft, steady boil. Ladle into sterilized jars, and process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath. Makes 11 500 ml. jars & about ½ cup left over for everyone to sample the next morning on toast. |
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| After seeing my daughter, Lauren's beautiful pics of mushrooms in the forest in Sweden, (www.thehornstullstrand.blogspot.com) I thought I would post my pic of fungus growing in mulch in the garden! Looks like it could be 'Sparassis herbstii'--actually edible, but I am not brave enough to try |
