Winter Preparation

We have settled straight back into the rhythm of the Island and are enjoying our self imposed isolation.  We have already made  great headway into the tasks around the cottage and garden and things are looking good and taking shape.  The garden room needed a little work but we are already starting to enjoy its bounty and are harvesting something on a daily basis.  Salad leaves, tomatoes, spring onions and courgettes are plentiful so we are including these into our meals.  One of our lunches this week shows some salad leaves tomato and onion on a toasted seeded bun with homemade steak burger with a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard, very tasty.

One of our evening meals also consists of our garden bounty.  Courgettes, spring onions and tomatoes with a little basil and new potatoes cooked with mint.  Along with smoked haddock and a poached egg from our own chickens.

Both tasty and nourishing meals which give a lovely sense of achievement.  We have avoided the deserts this week and have already dropped a couple of pounds.  The rhubarb whilst we were away has gone berserk and although contained has spread a lot.  I must admit I am not disappointed and have been picking  and freezing it for a treat later on in the year.  A wonderful taste of Summer in those dreary days of Winter.  I may even make jam next week for a tasty treat with toast or my favourite scones.

We were blessed with scones from our neighbour on our return with a little note, such a lovely thought and greatly appreciated.

We were also given some beautiful freesias which have such a wonderful scent which has permeated around our little cottage.  Along with phone calls and emails we certainly feel blessed.

They are stunning and take pride of place on the dining table where we can admire them as we go about our daily tasks.  The days are getting shorter as we go through August, each day bringing us closer to another season.  Subtle changes are starting to appear but thankfully we are still getting some great weather giving us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.  We intend to get out and about as much as we can before the weather breaks and we are forced indoors.  Our Winter preparations are almost complete, we have fuel in all its guises ready for the stove, logs, coal and peat.   The oil tank has been filled.  The store cupboard is full, we have been rewarded well with our garden bounty and next week will start to make some preserves.  We have a plentiful supply of provisions for various projects we want to achieve this Winter.  The Winter weight bedding is all ready to be changed over once the temperatures drop enough.  Candles are on hand.  As the hazy days of Summer become a distant memory we will move seamlessly into another phase and try to work out the best way to manage this terrible pandemic.  Hibernation is fast becoming a possibility!!!!!!! 

I intend to preserve some eggs, I thought about freezing them but it is not something that I have done before so would value your opinion.  I want to have some eggs on hand for baking just in case they stop laying.  I have pickled eggs before using an Amish recipe that were wonderful as part of a Winter salad but not frozen them.  Do you prepare for the change in seasons?

As always I thank you for your comments that are so uplifting.  A warm welcome to a new follower I do hope you find something of interest as I go through my little adventures of life.  Take care in these very strange times that we find ourselves in.

See you soon.