A Bit Cooler Today

 It is just a bit cooler today.  In the mid 80's and it feels so nice!  We have had so much heat for so long!!!  What a reprieve to have a day below 99 to 104.  It's supposed to warm again next week but maybe, just maybe, this means the weather will start the turn to the cooler side.

I love autumn.  It is my favorite season!!  I love the smells, the colors, the garden harvest.  I love the warm days and the crisp cool nights.  I guess my longing is showing. 😄

Our little garden is producing.  The fruits of our labor so to speak.  

The cucumbers are in a crock starting the fermentation process. Fermented Dill Pickles

My cucumbers are not the little ones, so I sliced them like a hamburger dill.

The tomatoes have been canned.  Canning Tomatoes

The carrots were grated and made into a carrot and raisin salad.

Our little garden is a sweet blessing, and we enjoy all its produce.

Think fall and enjoy something fresh from a garden near you!

~a little bird

Refreshing Summer Drink

 

Do you remember the preserved limes?  

I have cut one of them in eights, muddled a bit, added some lemon balm from the herb garden and a few violets.  Some ice and filtered water and you have a very refreshing herbal summer drink.

We have had some very hot weather and trying to stay hydrated is important.

I find if I put together a pitcher of herbal iced tea, or like this a lime-lemon balm infused water we tend to drink more throughout the day.

How are you staying hydrated??

a little bird

Dehydrating

 The dehydrator is preserving some of our harvest.  The wax beans are producing more than we can eat in a setting or even two. So, it was time to put the dehydrator to work.

Link to Drying Fruits and Vegetables

Steam blanch or water blanch, cool and into the dehydrator they go.

The cabbage is also doing very well.  And before they split, they need to be eaten, shared and put by.  I still have some sauerkraut from last year so don't need to make more at this time.  We have eaten sauteed cabbage at many meals and will continue to do so.  Have shared many heads with family and neighbors, and there is still more coming... So, it is time to dehydrate some for soups this winter.

As with the beans, steam or water blanch, cool, and into the dehydrator.

I had one tray still empty, so I roughly chopped some parsley to complete the load.

These will all be used and enjoyed this winter when the winter winds blow, and the garden is covered with a blanket of snow.

I hope you too are harvesting the bounty of the season.

~ a little bird

Lavender

 

My lavender has dried so I have harvested the flower buds.

It smells wonderful!! 

I have a pint of lavender buds.  My DH asked what I can do with them??

Here are some great ways to use lavender:

• make potpourri
• homemade soap
• add it inside of oil lamps
• Lavender tea
• add to green tea
• add to salad dressing
• make sachets 
• add to shortbread cookies 

Lavender Tea - a few lavender buds and some hot water and you have a lovely cup of calming tea.

Lavender infused oil - add some lavender buds to almond oil and gently warm over a simmering double boiler.  Use the oil in your homemade creams and salves.

Lavender lemonade: 

2 teaspoons lavender buds

4 cups water

Juice from 2 large lemons (or 1/4 cups store bottled)

sweeten to taste 1/3 cup sugar or 1/4 cup honey 

Place lavender buds in reusable tea bag   Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the buds and allow to steep 15 minutes. Remove tea bag and add your sweetener, stir to dissolve, allow to cool completely.

Add lemon juice and serve over ice.  Lovely!!

I tied and allowed my lavender to dry in an airy place.

Then when they were completely dried, I was able to rub them between my palms and the flower heads came right off.

I should have taken a picture....

So here are a few ideas if you have some lavender buds to harvest.

~ a little bird