Autumn Afternoons - the days of long Shadows, Cleaning out the Fridge and Dehydration

Sorry for not posting yesterday.  I had a bit of an "off day" no energy at all.  I therefore took the day relatively easy, and, in the evening, I sat and did some crocheting of my blanket.  It is coming on very slowly but there is still a lot to do on it.  However, at least it was being productive in a different way to than that I had anticipated.  I am still not firing on all pistons, but a lot better than yesterday.  I have found the more I fight the fatigue the worse I am so its just better to give in and rest when I am like it as otherwise it lingers a lot longer and I am not one to linger.

This afternoon we went out to the Butcher and then on the way home walked the dog.

It was a glorious walk.  We walked the opposite way that we normally do and were gifted with the sight of a wild Fallow Deer Stag (the ones with the spots on).  He just melted into the scenery and OH could not see him to start with, but he was gorgeous.  A special moment.  Unfortunately, no photos.  

However, there are some photos of the other side of the park where we normally walk.  It was a lovely walk, slightly chilly, and you can see the shadows getting longer as we slide even deeper into autumn months.  The colours are just glorious though.  Soon be time to turn the clocks back.  Where is time going and it seems to be escaping me these days.

As usual, I digress.  Today's chore is stripping and deep cleaning the fridge on the one hand and dehydrating food items on the other.

Two opposite poles one drying the other keeping things cool.

Both are needed, both have their place.

I do not have a freezer at all at the moment as I have nowhere to put one and you can only do what you can do at the end of the day.  Therefore, you make the most of what you do have, but oh I do miss my freezers I think overall that has always been my main food storage area and all the preserving etc. has always added to and complimented it.  However, whilst I am "freezerless", it is a good time to concentrate on other items some of which are new to me and to learn new skills in the interim.  Even this experienced preserver still has a lot to learn.  I have been preserving for over 40 years.

This evening is "strip the fridge out time" where it is getting a thoroughly deep clean.  I have been shopping and have new items so it is an ideal time to get things thoroughly sorted and so that I can start adding ingredients to my cold storage that I use on a regular basis, especially in the run up to Christmas. Things like lard, Stork soft margarine, butter, so that I have enough stuff for a tad of baking.

Saying that, it is a big chore, and I do take my time with it getting it as clean as I possibly can, and then sorting it out into dedicated areas.

Whilst shopping, I have also picked up some reduced veg, swede at 25p a swede (three came home) which I intend to make into carrot and swede mash, use in stew, make a veggie soup, make souper mix for the Pantry shelf.  There was also some reduced Asparagus a couple of bunches.  Some for dinner on Sunday and I might dry the other packet to add to Risottos during the winter months.  I like Asparagus and it will be good to be able to supply a lot of dried items to add to Risottos during the winter months.  I shall then  make a couple of versions of homemade soup and keep it in the fridge.  I like something simple like a good veggie soup in the winter months come mid-day, sometimes followed by a sarnie.

I realised that I have run out of green dried veg, so a couple of bags of Spinach came home with me.  They did not have Kale.  There may come a time when greens are not as plentiful as they should be and, in the circumstances, you still need some greens in your diet even if it is mixed in with a gravy or a stew.  I am therefore going to concentrate on green powders for the next few weeks, using both wild greens and also bought greens and mixing them all up together for a general green powder mixture.  I also intend to do just a Spinach powder as well as dried Kale leaves. Kale leaves if left in little leaflets can be added dry to the different layers in a Lasagna and are quite tasty in with a standard Lasagna.  Kale is therefore on the to acquire list ready for processing. So whilst I am fridge cleaning, the Spinach and Sweet Peppers will be drying.  I will also be adding nettle tops to the green powder mix in due course.

We have also been to the Butcher's today.  Not for much.  OH fancied a bit of Pork for Sunday lunch this week and we have come home with a small Pork Loin.  That means will get Pork dripping for the roasties for the fridge as well.

Also came home with some mince, Beef Skirt (pasties or a stew or maybe both), chipolatas and Bacon.  Did not overdo it but will probably go back at the beginning of the week and stock up a bit more than we have.

We had bacon, egg, sausage and all the trimmings for tea this evening which went down very nicely.

The nettle wine is starting to froth.  Will probably deal with that on Monday night and pop it into its Demijohns.

Well, that is the fridge completely bottomed out. I have a large Samsung larder fridge which is a cracking fridge. It has taken me most of the evening, and I have not got to my crochet, but yay the fridge is spotless.  I have also filled it up.  

I Will probably get a jelly and some Blancmange, or some puddings made for the fridge, such as Creme caramels or homemade Chocolate Mousse.  Hands up I have a sweet tooth! Will then be able to get my smoothies started and sorted of an evening for the following day. Also, some oat pots for breakfast for myself.  Himself is not really into breakfasts unless it is cooked!  I prefer a simpler approach.

Another busy day beckons.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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