9 Comments

Such a beautiful post, Prue! You've transported me to autumn and those catch-at-back-of-throat vinegary scents of pickling, and the wiping up of little puddles of sticky goodness from around the stove. In my mind's eye I can even see the stacked-up shelves of my parents' larder stuffed with endless jars of goodies to be plundered over the year.

I love the sound of cheese stored in pantyhose (what we call 'tights'). Tights are great for onions, too, and for supporting melons when they grow too big for their vines to support them in the greenhouse!

You're so kind to have linked to my newsletter in your post - how lovely! Thank you.

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My mother's shelves were amazing too - I had such a good teacher. She and Dad gave me my love of coast, gardening and so much more.

And re the link - it's a pleasure. I'm loving your writing.

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I love the smell of jams and preserves cooking, This year it will be strange as its a different cooker so I will have to get used to it.

I also use frozen fruit to make the jams and preserves and you run out of time (and sometimes jars) so its good to put it in the freezer and make in the winter months.

I need to head in the garage to sort out some to take up to Scotland later in the month.... I wonder if it counts as minimal food miles as we are going up anyway :) We certainly can't get much done in the garden as its so blooming wet its like walking on a sponge.

I don't have enough room in my pantry for the stuff I make, so its boxed up and into the garage

According to the lunchtime news its been the wettist March since 1982 !!! The weeds are loving it , but we're so far behind with the weeding, I have started my seeds though hoping for the better weather x

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It sounds as if you are getting the weather we had last year - masses of rain and La Nina. Actually we're just coming out of 3 years of La Nina, so its quite a shock to humans, wildlife and plantlife.

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SO much to praise here and I love the Terrier as "hairy mine sweeper" - especially funny because we call ours The Metal Detector as he goes back and forth, not wanting to miss anything ... Love the description of the rain on your umbrella, such a treat to read as though I am right there with you. I am also a huge Sam Neill "enthusiast" (he's also a good actor I hear, haha) so very glad to know about his book. Also grateful to have Knots in the String in my back pocket for little bursts of cheer!

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This post was delicious. I felt myself walking along with you, absorbing the sights and smells of autumn. I imagine your stone fruits are spectacular! I'm sorry someone you love is suffering but glad they have you on whom to lean. Thank you, Prue.

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