bitty

THIS IS MY COUSIN HOBBS..........SHE JUST MOVED TO A NEW HOME WITH SARAH AND SHE IS EXHAUSTED

My Tuesday night girls

Every week I get together with the girls for an evening of knitting and gabbing and every week they amaze me with what they have done. There is always a finished project for me to photograph. This amazing scarf was done by Margie. Look closely, one side has 3 cables and the opposite side has 2. I was totally in amour of the scarf. I swear she did it up in no time at all.

Not to be outdone Cyndi whipped up this sassy beret.

And, then found time to knit a hat and mitten set for her local charity.

Betty is currently hooked on these cute children's hat that whip up in a jiffy. I really have to blog the instructions on these. They're a great beginner project or if your like Betty and have many grandchildren,you could easily make these by Christmas.

Sharlene's go to hat is know on Ravelry as the Amanda Hat. If anyone out there doesn't know about this site,it is a free knit and crochet community for anyone interested in these skills. Lots of patterns,instructions,and encouragement for all,but,I warn you.....it's addictive........said the hobbit

Got extra cukes?

It's that time of the year again............garden is done, most of the canning finished, nothing but a few stray veggies clinging to the vine..........so sad.

But, then I have to start thinking about Christmas  YEAH, THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR. OK I'm getting ahead of myself.Last year I found this solution for these lost cukes that makes cleaning up the garden something to look forward to.PRESERVED and PICKELED Just click on that name for her recipe.

I cut the recipe in half because she obviously has a bigger garden than I and more strays to tend to.I brought

1 CUP OF SUGAR
2 CUPS OF CIDER VINEGAR
1/4 CUP OF KOSHER SALT
1 TEASPOON OF MUSTARD SEED
1/2 TEASPOON OF TUMERIC AND WHITE PEPPER
 to a boil , till sugar is dissolved.Then remove from heat.

Diced everything I had on hand,
1ONION
5 WASHED CUKES
AND 3 STRAY SWEET PEPPERS  looking for a place to party.
I sterilized my jars, before making the brine.

Packed it all in. Crammed is more like it. She noted that the veggies might rise to the top if the jar wasn't full enough so I tried to get it nice and full. After pouring the juice into the jar, guess what? I needed to cram some more. Isn't that just like a pickle? Of course these need to be stored in the back of the fridge while there flavors blend........but after about 10 to 14 days they are ready for center stage. They will soon be gone and you will be planning to plant an extra cucumber vine next year. Well maybe...........said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

We've been cleaning around here. Big bag of stuff are going out to be recycled in a new life.Sniff sniff, I smell golf shoes...........I wonder where they've been? Smells heavenly!

Do you see what I see

It is always a welcomed treat to come upon one of natures beauties. This monarch was sunning itself on one of the many weeds currently in my garden.

It was being so lazy that I was able to go back in the house get my camera  and catch a picture as  it aired itself in the sunlight.............so lucky to get it,said the hobbit

Where have I been?

GOOSEBERRIES

I know, you probably thought I fell in a ditch and no one heard me call for help.Nothing so serious.Summer,the garden, vacation, canning,filling the larder to make it through the winter all seem to come to a head in August and although I'm sure I can handle it all.......it just doesn't happen.So here I am,ready to give it the old college try one more time.

A new (for me) discovery this year......gooseberries! Have you ever tried these? My sister-in-law has a booth at the Laconia Farmers market and she has this as a staple in the early summer. When a bought them they were a light green. A few days in my fridge turned them a variety of colors and I wasn't sure if I  had missed an opportunity to use them at the right time. A quick check on the internet calmed my fears and I proceeded to pluck the little stems off and mix them with rhubarb,sugar and a little cinnamon. I popped them in the oven and let them make some tasty juices.

Then topped it with an oatmeal, flour and brown sugar blend.................back in the oven to make a nice crust

Out of the oven came this luscious treat just begging to be crowned with a dollop of french vanilla ice cream.It definitely reminded me of strawberries but, different.........know what I mean? I will be sure to give these another try next year. It is a local flavor that shouldn't be missed. But like the truffles of France only a few know where to harvest the best tasting ones.....................said the hobbit