Been to the Library

Looking for inspiration I went to the library. But it turned into quite an emotional day for memories!

I picked up these books



and brought them home, but before I had a chance to flip through them I had a meeting with my neighbour and the 'Rights of Way' Officer. Our local farmer is trying it on again.
I had never met the Rights of Way Officer (Colin) before, so it was quite a shock to meet someone who reminded me so much of my father. A big man with such a happy face...



I was quite tearful when I got in. So I sat down with a coffee and my books,the first page the book opened too was this



Picalilli, I remember dad, making this, sat at the kitchen table chopping up onion and cauliflower, he was a seafarer so a good cook and passionate about his food. I must admit his picalilli was good.



Lemon Curd, reminded me of my Nana, have no idea what she did with it, but when ever I see it, or smell it, it reminds me of her



During my blog hopping recently someone was looking for a beetroot chutney recipe, I can't for the life of me remember who it was, so if you see this let me know and I will pass on the recipe!



and finally still seeking inspiration for Christmas. Last year as you may or may not remember I was part of the Christmas in progress blog. I signed up for this year and am embarressed to admit I have done nothing, zilch, zero! I hope something inspires me soon!

Chutney Mountain!

I made even more yesterday. Date and Banana Chutney, the recipe I got from the Potting Shed Forum.

So here we have the pan with all ingredients in



stirred up and cooking, the smell was divine and not your usual vinegary chutney cooking smell, it was just like Christmas??!!



All cooked and ready to pot up into sterilized jars. Again I expected the bananas to go to mush but they didn't.



Now it is all potted up. I can't wait to taste this one, I think it will go really well with a curry and we love our curries in this house!



My Chutney Mountain!



I still have at least two more to make, my courgette one and my most favourite of favourite Spicy Apple Chutney. Then of course there maybe the Green tomato Chutney one as well.
I'm off to the library on Monday as there are a couple of books on chutneys and jams I'm interested in getting out!
I really enjoy making chutney, maybe I should turn it into a small business! Probably to many Health and Hygiene issues to overcome!

Bit of a hectic week ahead, hubby has to go in for an endescope, red car for MOT, T has an opticians appointment as well as volunteer work at the 'Wiltshire Scrapstore' plus we have to make plans for a new addition to our household!!!

Celebration!

21 years ago today I was wearing this.........



that little person in between hubby and I is Zoe, who if you remember gave birth to my Great Niece Madison Dec 2006. Thats how you know time has passed, but it doesn't seem anytime since I met my man!!

Anyway to celebrate I made chutney and lots of it.
I was inundated with cucumbers and I had alook around the internet to see what else you could do with them that didn't involve pickling. You see that silly little book got me going!
You can make a refreshing drink, but I didn't fancy that.
Raiti yoghurt mint & cucumber, doesn't last long.
Then I found a Cucumber Chutney recipe, not sure if it sounds appealing but I have been assured it is very tasty even after 2 yrs.
So first weigh your cucumbers


slice them thickly and mix with the thinnly sliced onions



add the spices and the white wine vinegar and cook, now this is after 1 hours cooking, wouldn't you have thought that the cucumbers would have gone to mush, I did but they didn't!



you can see them in the jars, it did seem very 'oniony' and slightly on the dry side so the last jar filled will have to be the first eaten. Smelt abit like picalilli. Can't wait to try it!




Then came the Autumn Chutney, here are all the ingredients, including the pre-prepared frozen plums



chopped and sliced and put in the pan




being cooked



Hey Presto, Autumn Chutney!



I'm quite into this chutney making, Julian Graves has a half price sale on so I'm off to buy some dates as my next chutney is going to be Date & Banana!

lol!!!!