Preserving

 It's that time of year when I start to prepare for Christmas, last year I was given a brilliant recipe for mincemeat, a fruit based (no meat) slightly spiced filling for mince pies, which here in UK are a much enjoyed treat. This year I want the jars to mellow for much longer, so I have just made mine, I did cut my apples into smaller diced pieces, and did not fill the pots with too much coconut oil, draining and removing the excess, I now have 2 large and 2 small jars.

Hubby decided to make minced pies, 'just to test my mincemeat', he made shortcrust cases and used ready to roll puff for the tops, he also made apple puffs. A couple of the tops burnt, but it flakes off these are lovely and the mincemeat is a success.

It so dark in the evenings I have popped out autumnal decorations some with lights to help cheer up inside, its only in recent years I make seasonal displays, these are out much earlier then previous years. Hubby said it was too early for Halloween, but as I explained there are no skeletons or spiders, so just autumnal. 

Molly on Monday her first half day at school, she was really happy to go in, this week has been a mixture of mornings and afternoons and then full time next week. Molly had her first school dinner on Thursday, she has various allergies which make her ill, the school has set her allergy menu which worked she ate and was happy, each evening she has told us what she has done. Daughter is used to going home to a children free house this time she said it was different. We have through George come to know the school is very good at dealing with children with added needs, and we are not worried about Molly's allergies.

I am back working on my 2023 book, it's much better than sat looking at my phone for ages, I have finished inputting and now need to proof read it a couple of times, with almost 200 pages, not a quick task, then I can get started on 2024, I have until mid November when the Black Friday discounts are offered, this being the cheapest I can publish my books, I did say I would stop a few years ago, I have decided I will publish the two stated and 2025 and then stop, as Molly is in school, so they won't feature so much on my blog and therefore my books. My first book was 2009, so 15 books, 16 years, 2009 and 2010 were made into one book, not so many post. I still plan to keep blogging, its a medium I love. I have received an email it's the printers 20th anniversary on Monday, they are having a special, if its a good discount I will send 2023 to be printed. 

Nothing much is happening here, the weather has been dire, today is promised sunny and warm, I will spend time in the garden, cutting back wind damaged plants and deadheading, the strong winds and heavy rains have battered my flowering plants. I can plant my brassicas in their final bed, I got my onions, I have popped them into smaller pots and once they show growth I will plant them out, I will do the same with my broad beans, starting them at the end of the month.

I have pickled my homegrown beetroot, almost a jar full, I am looking for shallots so I can pickle them, I don't like pickled onions but hubby and daughter does.