Foodsavin’
I bought myself a new toy this week with birthday money that my in-laws had given me months ago – I got a great deal on a Food Saver vacuum sealer that I couldn’t pass up. I’ve been debating the merits of these things for …
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cultivating a sustainable life
Preserving
Tomato Daze
I’m still dealing with tomatoes as they continue to ripen in dribs and drabs in our cool autumn weather. It’s supposed to be sunny and warm for the next week or so, and I’m hoping that the lack of rain will allow the rest of …
Calendula Salve
I made a batch of calendula salve recently with some of the flowers from my garden. It’s a wonderful thing to have around the house – helps to heal cuts, sun and windburn, eczema, fungal infections, and many other types of owies. The flowers look …
Oven Baked Pear (or Apple) Butter
I was out at my aunt’s place on Tuesday following my grandmother’s funeral, and she was kind enough to load me up with pears from her tree before I left for home. I’d been wanting to make some of our favorite pear/apple butter while the …
Here Comes the Rain Again
We’re going to be at a concert tonight, so I’m doing a midday post. Well, I think the fall weather has officially arrived. It started pouring last night and has been raining ever since – my silly coastal kids were so happy that they were …
A Cure for Onions
I harvested my onions recently and am pleasantly surprised by how well they turned out. I experimented with growing them from seed this year, which I’d never done before, and I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical while I was transplanting those piddly …
Blackberry Jam
Blackberry bushes are one of the most invasive plants that we have around here. Any untended space is quickly overrun with these opportunistic brambles – but you won’t hear me complaining! As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing that beats the flavour of a fully …
We’re Jammin’
I recently finished reading Well Preserved: A Jam Making Hymnal (on Tammie’s recommendation). It’s a lovely book, and I’ve been itching to try out some new recipes ever since. Having just picked up some gorgeous peaches and blueberries at the market on the weekend, I …
