While Emily was outside picking some apples and the last of the blackberries, my neighbour, Anne, called in with a huge clump of flat leaved parsley and two large courgettes. How lovely of her, but I think it was because they're going away for a few days and they've got a glut of parsley. Well I gave the courgettes to Emily because I'm not a fan of that vegetable, but I started to cut and shred the parsley to put in a bag and then freeze.
That's two hours I'll never get back!!!!! I now know why my mum used to grow curly parsley - much easier to cut up into tiny bits for the parsley sauce!! Flat leaf isn't that easy, so that's why it took me so long to dice them up. Anyway it's done and I have a lovely big bag full of chopped parsley in the freezer.
Well Emily picked lots of apples for me, and that'll probably be another couple of hours spent peeling and chopping them - also for the freezer. I did a few large tubs full the day before yesterday, rather than them go rotten sitting on the kitchen table. You see, I don't eat apples normally - I like to have apple crumble, or apple pies, even a lovely bit of apple sauce for roast pork but not to eat as an apple (if you get what I mean). So maybe tomorrow I'll start peeling and slicing the apples to go in the freezer. I've now got pineapples, nectarines, apples, pears, raspberries, damsons, and bananas in the freezer, for either pies, crumbles or smoothies. I've found some great recipes for using up the fruit in different ways to the norm. As for the parsley - a lovely bit of parsley sauce to go with fish is gorgeous, especially fresh rather than dried.
Well while I was chopping, I was amazed at the gorgeous sunshine coming through the lounge window. The sun is much lower in the sky now, so it's hitting the plants in different ways. I do love the plants in the bay window like this. I'm going to re-pot a couple of palms which should look lovely in their new pots which I'm hoping to paint.
I have decided to repot a few of the plants - the ones which look as if they're struggling and are a tad pot bound. So Emily has found me a few large flower pots outside, she's cleaned them up so that I can paint them!! I've bought some primer and some spray-paint. I've chosen a dark blue to go with the dark blue pots I've already got here. I've not used a spray can before, so this should be fun. I'm doing it outside. I've already bought primer (also in a spray can), so I can practice using the spray on primer, and hopefully I'll be better at it, when it comes to the blue gloss!!!. So don't laugh if I have a problem with it, I'm not called Banksy you know!!!!!
Well I do hope you all are having a lovely weekend. It's only just gone 6pm and the sun is almost setting!!! When did it suddenly get darker earlier? Oh well I suppose I'll have to get my winter woolies out soon!!!! Take care folks, and have a great Sunday.


Jenny McIntyre club has replied to GracieJenny McIntyre club has replied to Maeluk clubCourgettes are bland ... that is true, but chop them lengthways and fairly thin (mind your fingers!). add them to good quality extra virgin olive oil and a finely chopped garlic clove, fry for 2 minutes over a high heat or 3-4 over a medium heat and you have a cheap and delicious starter. Its needs the textural contrast between crispy (from quickly the frying the courgette) and creamy (from not over cooking it) for it to be totally effective!. After a couple of attempts it becomes second nature!
It converts courgette haters just as much as my sloe gin converted gin haters!
Gosh, so many fruits in the freezer for nommy treats! :D You know, I used to love eating apples whenever I thought about them. But they're pure fructose and so just a bite is all that's really reasonable on keto, and well, now they are just too sweet to me, oddly enough. Steve, however, has a quarte to half an apple every couple of days or so, he just loves them so! :)
Loved the sunlight shining through the kitchen window, thanks for sharing! And nice of you to consider repotting some of your plants, they really do love it when they get revitalized soil and more room! (well ok some plants thrive on being pot-bound but most don't!)
On the northern California motorcycle trip Steve and I went on with our friend Andy, we stopped at Santa Cruz one evening, just as it was closing. A shame that we missed the rides in action, and then we learned what jerks the security was about us having our cameras...but we refused to let it ruin the short time we were there. Here is an assortment of the pictures I took...no bumper cars but still...it was a fun time! (I suggest clicking on the first picture and then just right-arrowing through the images!) :) www.supermoto.photo/gallery-santa-cruz-beach-boardwalk
Ok, off I go my dear! Have a wonderful rest of your day!
Jenny McIntyre club has replied to Janet Brien clubYes I will get round to re-potting the plants but I need to get more compost and it's difficult when I can't get out myself. Still never mind. I was talking to Anne who gave me the parsley and she said that she cuts the parsley with scissors which cuts (LOL not meant as a pun!!!) the time. I never thought of that - doh!!!!!! So if I do get any more like that - a pair of scissors will be the first thing I pick up!!!!!. I never get a complete chicken because there's only me. I suppose I could do something similar to you - but I just hadn't thought of it. Thanks for the idea.
Yes there are loads of things in the freezer for desserts etc, I've just started to do a trifle with some of the blackberries!! Trouble is - the blancmange was boiling hot when I added it to the jelly and fruit, which meant it went under immediately = oh well, it'll still taste nice!!!!
I wish you a wonderful day too. Pippin just jumped on the desk and then my computer while I was writing this to you. The whole thing went off and I just didn't know which keys he'd walked on!!! So I had to start all over again!! Don't you just love cats?????
Janet Brien club has replied to Jenny McIntyre clubYou know, Steve uses scissors for lots of cooking things...he cuts meat like bacon, fish, and others with the scissors...they are very useful to have and would make your parsley project go by much quicker.
The thing about roast chickens is that they are so convenient! And if you did what I do--break the whole bird down, chop up and put half into the freezer, you'll have lovely chicken all ready to go by just popping into defrost. Actually, I have a steamed/chopped up cauliflower in the freezer too, which will make my next recipe of fautato salad go really fast! :)
Oh, I bet it smells nice in your kitchen when you're making goodies! There's nothing like the smell of bubbling jam/jelly! My mom used to can her own many years ago and there are few smells as lovely!
Pippen, you naughty kitty, making mom retype everything!! Oh well, you're very lucky to have such a dear friend with you. :) Yes ma'am, I do love kitties, even when they're being rascals! :)
Jenny McIntyre club has replied to Janet Brien clubJenny McIntyre club has replied to Frank J CasellaJenny McIntyre club has replied to Bee OrchidContinue to enjoy what little warm weather you have left, my friend!
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