Friday 24 May 2019

A Trip To Town/Drying Mint

 This week there has been a change in the weather, the temperatures have been dropping.  We are now back to wearing a coat for working outside.  Rain on occasion has stopped work all together, so progress is slow.  We are in no rush, taking our time and enjoying the process.

We took a break yesterday from work and enjoyed the drive into town (Stornoway) to order some wood in readiness for making a new fence and some to replace a beam that is rotten in the outbuilding.  It will be delivered next Thursday.  We made an error not ordering what is needed to make the raised beds, but a phone call will soon rectify that.  We did however make the most of our day in town so it wasn't all chores.

There was a small cruise ship berthed near the ferry terminal, a Island hopping excursion so town was busy with tourists.


We decided to go for lunch at Ann Lanntair so that we could enjoy watching the ferry berth whilst eating lunch.  It was an unusual sight for us as we have never seen this before.  The cruise ships generally berth further out and transport passengers on tenders.



These are the views from the window and it wasn't long before the ferry started its approach and berthed alongside.





 We enjoyed lunch and then made our way downstairs to have a browse around the latest exhibition.


 A palimpsest - most often used in reference to mediaeval manuscripts - is something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.  The exhibition features art work by 24 leading artists from across Scotland that reference this concept.



 It is an exhibition that did make me think but one that I did enjoy once I had got my head around the concept.






 We do feel blessed that there is always so much going on when you consider that we live on a small Island.  I was so impressed by these beautiful tweed bags with work sheets included so that families could enjoy the exhibition together.



Thankfully the rain did stop and we were able to have a browse around the shops and go to the supermarket for a food shop without getting wet.

I have cut some of the mint that is prolific around the tyre at the moment and tied it together in bunches with some natural twine.  I will leave it to hang for about 6 weeks until it is dry and then using forefinger and thumb rub it to break it down.



 Here is some that I have dried out from last years crop.


Mint can aid indigestion and gas so is perfect to add to tea.  It is also useful for making chutney/relish and added to stews/casseroles.  I like mint on fresh fruit too.  Hope that helps for those that asked why I dried mint.

Your comments and questions are always a joy and I do try to get back to answer them as soon as I can.

We are planning a quiet weekend which hopefully will include a little crafting.  Have you anything planned?

See you soon.













33 comments:

  1. I've never tried drying mint before. We have an abundance of it during the summer months so I'm now going to try and dry some for future use. X

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  2. Keep off the roads is our mantra for a Bank Holiday weekend here in North Wales.We know all the back roads so might have a little trip to somewhere quiet.
    I want to craft too.I have just started a black work kit and really need to get my head round the pattern.

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  3. I occasionally freeze mint in ice trays to use in cold drinks.
    What an interesting exhibition, particularly the unsolicited mail!

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  4. Artists amaze me as I'm not gifted in that area. To think up a way to use the needless mail that comes in was truly unique! Thanks for the info on mint too. Appreciate your covering the hows and whys of our questions.

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  5. Sounds like you enjoyed your day, watching the ferry,near the water..how relaxing. I have not ever grown mint, I hear that it is invasive and I wouldn't know what to do with it all. Maybe I will give it a try...is there a chocolate mint? :)

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  6. Love seeing pictures of your harbour! Delightful to have a restaurant seat, to eat and watch what's going on. :-)

    I really like that "junk mail sort-of-a-rope"!!!!
    -grin-

    Also love the idea of hanging the mint, in your kitchen! Delightful idea. It will scent, while it dries.

    Gentle hugs...

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  7. Lorraine, this was such a fun post. I enjoyed seeing the ships docked at the harbor and you had such a great view of the process. I think that would be so interesting. I also enjoyed the tour. How imaginative. The junk mail rope thing made me laugh out loud.
    There is always so much going on on your island. And I love that you share it so willingly with us.
    I would love to have a "small" patch of mint. However, I can't seen to keep it small.
    I'm so glad that Gerard feels well enough to go on all of your adventures. We are still keeping both of you in our prayers.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. Fascinating the pictures of the ferry. Beautiful too.

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  9. The cruise ship and ferry look so pretty. Maybe the water level has risen, and that's why they didn't use the tenders? Your mint looks do sweet, tied with that bow.

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  10. Looks like an interesting exhibition. It must have been great fun to watch the ferry whilst eating lunch. Our mint is doing well at the moment, I may have a go at drying some:)

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  11. I don't know why, but my mint only grows sparsely so I just use it fresh. I usually freeze herbs except bay and sage. Nice place to sit and have lunch.

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  12. That was something interesting to watch whilst you ate your lunch. It does look a bit grey so I'm glad you managed to get your shopping done without getting wet.

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  13. Your mint hanging in your kitchen must smell divine. Hanging herbs upside down is my favorite way to dry them. I'm glad the rain let up so you could stay dry while shopping. You do have many activities on your island. Enjoy your weekend.

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  14. Good job you could pop into the exhibition with it being a bit grey anf chilly outside. We've got some chocolate mint which makes a tasty drink if you put a few leaves in some hot water. Have a great weekend.

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  15. I was thinking the same thing as the above
    comment-er, that the hanging mint must make your kitchen smell wonderful.

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  16. What a nice getaway even if it was gray and chilly. I still remember your suggestion to dry mint or herbs in paper bags with holes punched in them. Good for not having dust collect on drying herbs. For looks, I prefer the method you are using.

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  17. What a neat place to go for shopping and sightseeing. I love how supportive of the arts your island is. But I do know how pretty places draw artistic folks and art colonies emerge. I need some mint plants! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  18. Nice view of the cruise boat and ferry from where you were eating. I love mint and I have even tried growing mint once but hubby couldn't stand the smell.

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  19. What a beautiful excursion for doing your shopping !
    We too have bad weather again and cool !

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  20. Our mint is so prolific it now grows up through the grass and smell divine when we mow the lawn. I might cut some before mowing and hang it up. John uses fresh mint a lot in cooking. We are still in expectation of the promised rain. Our grass is already yellowing. Best, Jane x

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  21. You have some good places to go to when you're in town. A routine shopping trip gets interesting when you can view the ferry boats from the café and browse around an exhibition of fascinating displays. Mint tea sounds pleasant and beneficial too. My daughter-in-law usually gives us herbs that she's dried. I freeze basil so that I have a supply when the growing season is finished. Have a relaxing weekend crafting. I hope you get some dry weather.

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  22. There are some perfect combinations in the world - wine and cheese, bacon and eggs - and surely we must add roast lamb and mint sauce.

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  23. I always love seeing pictures of the boats and ships that you share!! They really are something!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  24. I feel as though I truly just left the houses! Thanks for the pretty pics and sharing that neat museum - such a neat art to do that. Learn something new every day! : - )

    Hope you are well.

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  25. Your lunch out sounded lovely. I have been busy with work here, paperwork, working on a few private patients and getting in the pool with my little boy and enjoying his ability to swim. Have a great week.

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  26. My son is growing mint in a pot on his balcony, because he likes it in cocktails. I wish I liked it. As you said it is helpful with digestive issues, but I am not a fan. I liked the pictures from the exhibit. I hope the weather has dried out and gotten warmer.

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  28. I also dry mint, thete is nothing better than mint tea from dry mint☺

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  29. Love mint! I just got back home from a trip and I'm playing the catch up game!! Love excursion you went on.

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  30. That looks like a really good day out. I love the little bags for families to use, I think it's really important to encourage children to look at and talk about art. I have a vivid and precious memory of taking my 7 year-old daughter to the National Gallery and finding her sitting down, staring at a painting and just enjoying it. x

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  31. Watching the ferry whilst eating sounds fascinating. It's probably not something you'd stand about watching normally. Thank you for sharing your photos, very interesting. Cx

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  32. How nice to watch the ferry, I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
    That hanging mint looks wonderful, so nice to use it in cooking.

    All the best Jan

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  33. I used to have a neighbor cat who would stand in my back yard and sniff the mint. I found out later that catnip is a member of the mint family, so no wonder.

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