Mamas Mercantile

I have had a busy few days, but most enjoyable.  The car needed some work doing to it, so it had to be taken into the garage in Stornoway.  Sadly, there was no courtesy vehicle available and we hadn't arranged a car so our return trip was on the bus.  Despite my reservations I was so pleasantly surprised how enjoyable the journey would be.  It took 45 minutes, but we were able to enjoy some beautiful views out of the window and chat to others on the bus.  We did find out about the  National Entitlement Card for concessionary travel for those aged 60+.  I collected the necessary forms for Gerard from the Post Office this morning and will be applying for mine on my next birthday when I too will be eligible.   Amazing what you can find out on a bus... 

I have been busy in the kitchen making jams and chutneys all ready for the Winter months, so we can enjoy a taste of Summer.  If indeed it lasts that long.  The jam was a mixture of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Left overnight to soak up the sugar.  I can confirm that the end result was amazing, we had some today on bread just out of the oven.

Seven jars were made but half a jar has been eaten already, so I see more jam making in the future. 

I also have raspberries soaking in vinegar, already to be strained to make some raspberry induced vinegar ready for winter salads.  Another couple of days...

...the raspberries need to be soaked for about seven days before been strained through muslin and bottled.  I also want to do some chilli oil and basil oil when I have enough bottles.  I am waiting for a delivery from Amazon.  Chilli and basil are the only two plants that we have grown since our move so it is nice to make something with our very small harvest.

Plum chutney, Christmas chutney, red cabbage, beetroot and shallots have all been added to the pantry.

What a joy to use my Christmas mixing bowl for the Christmas chutney.  It was a gift from our youngest daughter Lucy and brings back so many wonderful memories of baking together.  Cherished memories of Christmas's past that will stay with me forever.   Isn't it wonderful how everyday things trigger memories.

I do so wish that you could smell the beautiful aroma in my kitchen.  It has the beautiful smell of Christmas with its aromatic mix of spices.  It is indeed a joy, albeit a little earlier than usual but travel plans have made this a necessity.  I have made two types of mincemeat, a spiced apple variety and a cranberry one both with Port.

Fabric scraps and natural twine added to enhance their beauty.  All that is left is to put it all away and give the kitchen a good scrub down.  

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my last post, I appreciate your thoughts and encouragement.  I did take photos of the before fireplace but for some reason I cannot find them, I will get Gerard to help me and then hopefully show some on a later post.

Leaving you with some more furry friends from over the Croft.  Their markings enabling their identification.

See you soon.