A bit of this and that - and Vin d'Orange

 I had to change tack from tackling the dining room today, out of necessity as with all the cooking not all the kitchen items got put back in the same place, so I have had a bit of a sort out in getting this back to where it belongs. The kitchen was in a bit of a state as well.  I was late with my end of month cleaning schedule for the kitchen and I have had to tackle part of that today so that I can then set too and tackle the rest tomorrow.  The work top has been scrubbed well and I have stripped all the appliances off and thoroughly cleaned them including the chip pan.  I have a double work-top freestanding chip fryer which is exceptionally good to use but a bit of a faddle to clean. I do though feel as though I have been zig-zagging between projects as a result.  Therefore, I will be back in the kitchen tomorrow with hopefully a return to the dining room cupboard tomorrow evening.  I have also had tea and other household jobs to tackle. Such is life when you are juggling balls and trying to keep them all in the air.  I never was very good at juggling!

Today OH has had a closer inspection on the Stand Mixer that would not work.  He has had it all to pieces and cannot find out what the specific problem is.  It has not made any difference though as it is still not working.  At least he has tried.  One out of two is not bad.  My Food Processor has also been poorly, but he managed to fix that the other day.  It seems as if all my equipment is slowly dying on me

In the end I felt shattered and have since 8pm been sat down researching some new projects.  I have the computer on hand, my recipe books, a selection of magazines and I am plotting and planning some future projects.  It is that time of year.  Time to research recipes for the preparation for Christmas, whilst still trying to fill the cupboard with lots of lovely goodies from the present season. Although I have not done much by way of preserving in the past few days (I have had other things to deal with instead), I still have a load of projects to get out of the way with.  That is why I need the Fireside Cupboard sorted so I can store more items away.  The long suffering understairs cupboard is full to the Gunnells at the moment.

All the wine is in fine fettle.  When I go into the bathroom all you can hear is pop, pop, pop, sometimes double pop as two go off together.  The sound of the natural rhythm of alchemy!  Still fermenting ever so well and still very frothy.  I need to get a couple of more gallons of wine on the go in the next few weeks.  Thinking a couple of gallons of Dried Apricot and a couple of gallons of Ginger (these will be ready for next year) with some safekeeping.  Ginger wine is one of my favourites.  I am looking forward to next year with the winemaking too as I will be able to get more in touch with the seasonal Country wines like Rhubarb, Hawthorn and Elderflower.  The wines I grew up with and using that which grows around you.

I have a few drinks to strain as well including Passionfruit Gin and Raspberry, Sloe and Black Cherry Brandy.  It will be good to get these out of the way and into the cupboard.  I have also located four bottles of Cotes de Rhone Red Wine.  I think that a batch of Vin d'Orange is in order.  Just enough time to make it before Christmas. Traditionally Seville Oranges are used but for this batch I am using Sweet Oranges. I can then make another batch when the Sevilles are available next year.  If you want the recipe to have a go yourself it is here:

Vin d'Orange Recipes

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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