We have been looking out at the beautiful red Brandt grapes hanging on the vine outside the study for a while now and thinking it was a shame not to use them. They're a bit on the small side and pippy but very sweet and tasty. The birds love them. I saw a recipe for red current jelly, which I use a lot of in my winter cooking, and wondered about grape. Sure enough there are plenty of versions of it out there and we chose two that seemed favourable. A rummage in the garage came to the conclusion that we had sent far too many jars to the recycling and none were left of the right size for the jelly. After a trip to Hobbycraft we came back with these ten 8oz jars which were soon filed with the most beautiful coloured grape jelly. Just the labels to print now.
John also went a picked the apples from the trees to make apple sauce. Considdering the harsh pruning we have put the trees through over the past couple of years, we were surprised at how many there were. All bagged up and in the freezer now.
I bought some round needles whilst we were at Hobbycraft as I've joined Debbie's Sock Club just to find some of her lovely yarn in the post box every month. I've just finished knitting John a hat for this winters fishing and realised how much I missed it and how easy it is to watch a film etc doing it. I used to do knitting for pin money when the children were very small for a friend of mine who had the local knit shop. It soon all comes back though. No more cold feet this winter!
For absolutely ages I have wanted to buy a set of Tsukineko fabric inks. Not just any set, the workstation. Of course it's not for sale over here and I hummed and ahhed about having it sent over. I found it on the Overstock site who now ship to UK with the claim that what you pay is what you pay. No added taxes or shipping. I thought, OK, this has to be worth a try! No customs or Parcel Force/Royal Mail rip off?? Yeah right!!! And here they are all the way from Newark. AANNNDDDD I ordered them a week ago on the 26th September. No waiting, no extra charges, no problem.
Pickled onions are soaking in brine tonight for pickling tomorrow. Roast pork with apple sauce, squash and beans from the garden for dinner and a Tsukineko DVD to watch later. A good day.
