Set the bag of frozen cranberries on the counter to thaw. Peel and coarsely chop the apples and lemon. Try and chop the raisins a little bit too!  Then put apples, lemon and cranberries into food processor / chopper, a few at a time, until coarsely chopped. Remove and place in a large mixing bowl.  Add the chopped raisins. Then add all the sugar and mix thoroughly until completely mixed. Let stand for 10 minutes.

In a small saucepan, mix water, brandy and pectin. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour over the fruit and sugar. Continue stirring for another 3 minutes until well mixed but don't worry if a few fruit pectin crystals remain.

Pour into sterilized jars and seal tightly. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Will store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze to keep longer.

It's Christmas Eve and I know you have lots to do ... but since you are probably in the kitchen anyway, you might have just enough time to whip up a batch of fresh Cranberry Apple Chutney to accompany the Christmas turkey this year .. and impress the heck out of folks! 

I LOVE buying vintage items ... or just plain used!  It's a way of life for me - why pay more when you don't have to?  (Mother Nature will love you too for keeping good, reusable items out of the landfills!)

Gentlemen:
Everyone is keen on saving the environment these days aren't they?  Find some old over-sized vintage handkerchiefs for the boys.  Wash and iron them.  Even if he doesn't want to use them at work or at home, they're handy in the car for coffee spills or wiping a spot off the windshield.  Indispensable in his pocket while working in the garden or the workshop for wiping the sweat off his hard-working brow!

Children:
Young children are the easiest.  With usually boxes of toys to choose from, you can put together a nice little collection of toy cars, doll clothes, board games (check to make sure all the pieces are present) or some little stuffed animals.  Take them home and give them a good clean.  Plastic toys can be wiped down and the little crevices cleaned with a wet Q-tip.  Stuffed animals can go right in your washing machine, with mild soap and cold water on the gentle cycle.  Let them sit on a towel to dry.  Barbie and doll clothes can be washed in the sink in a similar fashion.  When dry, mend any little tears.  Put them all together in zippered toiletry / cosmetic bags or small decorative boxes from the dollar store.  Parents will appreciate that your gift comes with its own storage ... and not all that ridiculous plastic packaging that takes a hacksaw to get into!!  Seriously, this reduces frustration on Christmas morning when the little one has to wait for scissors to be found, packaging to be cut  ... not to mention cutting or untwisting all those superfluous tie-downs.  And then somehow removing the delicate plastic toy without breaking it!

The amazing thing is that by shopping this way, you actually will find you think more about the person you are buying for.  What do they really like?  Would they be able to use this item?  What could I pair it with?  You spend less, yes, and save the environment too, but the result is actually more personalized ... and thoughtful, which is ultimately what gift-giving is all about!

Summer is almost over.  Did I just say that?  No worries - capture the essence and feeling of summer by making rose petal jam!

This jam is really easy to make.  I am continually astounded by how much our small city garden gives in the Grove.  Our roses have been really abundant this year and I discovered that there are many recipes with which you can use or include rose petals such as:  rose petal jam or jelly, garnishments for salads, rose vinegar dressing and more! 

Collect rose petals and make some jam now with this simple recipe!

You will need:
- equal parts rose petals and berry sugar
- juice of one lemon
- water
- canning jars

... and a little pectin (if required)

Step 1:  Collect the rose petals
Pick petals from your loveliest roses and choose only those free from blemish.  For this recipe, I used approximately 250g / 8 ounces of petals.

Step 2:  Wash rose petals, dust with sugar and chill
Rinse the rose petals with cool water, discarding any with blemish.  Drain well and crush lightly in your hands with a bit of berry sugar, making sure to bruise each petal slightly.  Place in bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 3:  Making the jam
Pour 1/2 litre of water into a saucepan, together with 250 g berry sugar and the juice of one lemon.  Bring to a boil, stirring all the time.  Add the crushed rose petals, reduce heat, and continue at medium heat, stirring constantly until jam consistency and setting point is reached.  Add 1/2 package of powdered pectin if necessary.

Step 4:  Preparing the jam for storage
Properly sterilize your canning equipment.  I usually achieve this by boiling jars, rims, seals and any utensils I will be using.  Spoon the jam into jars and seal tightly.  Store as appropriate for the canning method you use.  Enjoy with toast, croissants or scones on a rainy day when you are dreaming of summer ...

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018

May is such a magical month that the appearance of fairies in your garden should come as no surprise!  Even the staunchest disbeliever must do a double take when ... apple, pear or cherry blossoms float and swirl though the air, fresh new leaves rustle in the wind or the sun shimmers and gleams in nooks and crannies in the garden.  All these subtle happenings can be evidence of fairy activity ...

1.  Foliage
This is a biggie because fairies are like songbirds.  They love trees as this gives them little branches to cling to, or big branches for swinging and leaves to hide behind.  Not to mention that their older cousins, the Dryads, will often tell them stories at night about ancient times and places.  Plant lots of perennial flowers that will magically sprout up in the Spring, year after year, without any extra work on your part - bluebells, tulips, daffodils, forget-me-nots, Jack Frost, Lily-of-the-Valley, foxgloves - your garden will be alive with colour and sweet scents that attract the birds, bees, butterflies ... and fairies!

And for some fun, blow some bubbles from a bubble wand!  There is something magical about bubbles floating gently on the breeze ... and the fairies will be sure to notice.

Accept the magical world around you and welcome it into your garden.  It doesn't matter how big or small it is.  Whether you are charmed with a "back 40", a fantastically witch-y cottage garden, a "postage stamp" city plot or even an apartment balcony; you can always add in a little bit of nature - usually more than you think once you get started!  Prepare to be amazed at how special life becomes when your home becomes a safe haven for fairies to congregate and play.

The beginning of May marks the beginning of Summer in old English tradition.  The year was divided into two halves -- with Summer beginning on May 1st and Winter beginning on October 31st.  Of course, the weather doesn't always conform to these dates! 

This year, however, the Grove has seen a lovely hot week of sunshine - after the usual amount of copious April showers of rain and hail.  Hopefully, it will continue for a wonderful and warm May Day on May 1st.

The garden is certainly responding to the heat and all sorts of plants are bursting forth with leaves and blossoms.  Here are just a few that my camera caught today!

Easter continues at Meadow Sweet Grove!  How could it not with lovely fresh eggs, courtesy of our neighbours and their urban backyard chickens? The lovely hues of these eggs are their natural colours - there was no need to dye these for the Easter display!  And I think the vintage glass egg cups (a great score scouted out and snatched up by my mother-in-law) provide the perfect pairing.

This unique present got me thinking that backyard chickens would be such a wonderful addition to the Grove.  The coop and run space really doesn't take up that much room for just a few "hobby" chickens.  But, unfortunately, our garden space is very limited right now and we are looking for a bit more room for veggies - not fowls!  But it must have stirred something in my blood ... because during the 1960s and early 1970s, my Dad owned and ran a poultry farm with over 5,000 chickens under his care. 

Here are pics of some of his brood!

There seem to be rainbows abounding all 'round at Meadow Sweet Grove lately ... in some form or other!

Sighting a rainbow is such a mystical experience.  That breathtaking spectrum of colour that appears brightly overhead for just a moment of time literally illuminating the day.  The sheer size and perfection of the arch is awe-inspiring in itself and is an example of Mother Nature's power.  And when a double rainbow occurs?  Count yourself very fortunate indeed.

Rainbows most often seem to appear when there has been a rainy day and suddenly the sun bursts out ... and for a short time, it is both raining and sunny.  That's when its time to spin around quickly and see where the rainbow is showing itself in your neighbourhood.  Sometimes it isn't worth trying to catch a photo - by the time you grab the camera - the rainbow is starting to fade in brilliance.  But magical moments in life are meant to be enjoyed as they happen anyway.  Truly, they appear for such a short period of time, like many outward "proofs" of magic, that they are missed by many.  In fact, to me, seeing a rainbow can be so significant in meaning (often a hidden one), that I don't even feel the need to search for the pot 'o gold - just catching sight of the rainbow itself is enriching.  That said, I have noticed that the land over which it occurs (either beneath the arch or at one of the ends) has often proved to be noteworthy ...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

And, of course, you can always create your own luck through the use of prisms.  Just place them anywhere the sunshine falls in your house ... and they will create those magical good rainbow vibes in your own home.

                                                                                                                                                                Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018

ometimes life lands you literally "flat on your back" and out of commission for a few days or weeks.  In such instances, you may need to rely almost exclusively on family, friends and caregivers.  But what if your ability to move around is only partially affected?  For me, an unexpected middle back injury has temporarily left it difficult for me to bend down, carry heavy items or drive - though I can walk and putter about the house - or even complete short errands ... but I can't lift anything or turn my head easily.  This has caused certain things to jump into sharp focus.  Beyond facing any personal assessment and conclusion of this incident; day-to-day life still carries on!  I believe in being prepared, but hindsight is 20/20.  Here's what I have learned, and a list of a few things that might help you to prepare in advance of a (knock on wood!), similar situation occurring:

List of household items to ALWAYS have on hand:

Own a button-up shirt
I prefer to wear shirts and sweaters that pull over my head.  It never occurred to me what is involved in that simple action!  Fortunately, I did have a couple of button-up shirts, way in the back of my closet and I guess I'll be living in those for the next little while!

Own a cap or hat
It's also useful to own a cap for walking in light rain.  Fortunately, I am fond of the Irish "newsboy" type of cap so I already had a couple of these.  I'll be using them a lot over the next little while since I can't carry an umbrella.  Hoods are no good with a back injury since they force you to turn your neck to see when crossing the street.

Own an old brass bell
Meadow Sweet Grove currently has two charming brass bells.  One is a goat perched atop the bell and the other is a little girl with a full skirt.  The goat is an obvious bell, but the girl could simply be seen as a decorative  figurine - but for the clapper under her skirt!  How useful are these in a three-story house when you need to summon help from someone other than the fairies?

Keep the receiving room clean
I have a bad habit of letting the housework slide ... piles of laundry, vacuuming, stuff laying around that I've been meaning to swap, sell or donate ... and general clutter!  But I have one very good policy - always keep the "parlour" clean - if nowhere else.  For us, that's the first room guests enter and right off the front door.  My logic was that even if the rest of the house was a disaster area, there was always at least one clean and tidy room that I could usher unexpected guests into ... and maintain some sense of pride.

Unfortunately, I let that wonderful practice slide and the front room has seen a few unexpected guests lately! And I haven't been able to tidy it up.  My advice - ALWAYS keep the room nearest your front door clean and tidy - you never know when you might not be able to - and that could also be when more people than usual will be showing up! 

Stock up on heavy items
Lately, I have been quite good at stocking up on non-perishable food items and emergency items such as candles, matches, duplicate keys and the like.  What I didn't think about was heavy items.  While it might be easy to walk down to the local store and buy toilet tissue ... it is quite another to lug home a bag of cat litter!

Thrift Stores and Charity Shops

Many people make a New Year's Resolution to "clear the clutter" and get organized.  When taking your clutter into your local thrift store / charity stop to donate - do make sure you check inside the store to see what's on offer.

Many people donate unwanted Christmas presents in January or donate the items those gifts replaced.  Ironically, they often donate better quality items, than the new replacements they received!

For example, someone might donate their "out-dated" dishes that were "Made in England or Japan"; in exchange for a shiny new set from Home Outfitters, Pier 1 and the like.  To each their own, but for the lover of antique, retro, quality or just plain eclectic dishware -- your local thrift store becomes a treasure trove!

Charity shops often have promotions too, like any other retailer, at this time of the year, to make up for low sales.

But January is also a time of year when many people are cutting back on their expenses.  For some, there is more tax deducted off the pay cheque starting in January.  Others overspent at Christmas or feel the need for a holiday somewhere warm.  Whatever the reason for shortness of cash in January - there are still many thrifty ways to save money.

~ Reuse food containers in your kitchen ~
Isn't it silly that we buy containers to freeze or store our food in - when we throw perfectly good containers into the recycling bin every day?  Containers that are already bought and paid for.  Recent news has led me to believe that many of the items we faithfully recycle are not being recycled at all - but shipped to other countries for disposal in their landfills and even oceans.  This, of course, defeats the purpose of recycling which is to keep the items out of Mother Nature's belly!

Here's a number of re-uses for those many containers that make their way into your home:

Glass Jars
The best!  Use for dry beans and lentils, pasta, popcorn and rice.  Freeze homemade applesauce and crushed tomatoes (make sure you leave a good inch or so at the top for expansion).  Use for non-food items like:  nails, screws, tacks, seed pods - you get the idea.

Plastic Tubs
Yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cream cheese, and those funky plastic take-away/delivery containers - anything that is packaged in an opaque plastic tub can be re-used.  Use them to freeze meal left-overs, extra tomato sauce and chicken broth.  Keep them handy to send guests home with left-overs, children to school with cut veggies, cookies and cupcakes for school parties and numerous other non-food uses like:  crayons, craft supplies, pet food - just don't get the two mixed up!    

Bread Bags & Cereal Boxes
Those many bread bags basically replace plastic wraps!  Okay, they don't "cling" but many items you wrap don't need that feature.  Use them to wrap extra portions of raw meat like ground beef and chicken for freezing.  Cut them in half and use them to wrap sandwiches and snacks for lunches.  Collect dry seed pods in the summer or fall - shake the bag and all the seeds will collect beautifully in the bottom of the bag (I learned this trick from a wonderful old Yorkshireman).  Talk about thrifty.  He also cut up his cereal boxes to make shopping lists!

  


        Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2019

Christmas Fruit Cake

The festivities are over but the fruitcake remains!  If you're lucky that is.  The fairies at Meadow Sweet Grove just love fruitcake ...




If you research fruit cake recipes, you will find literally dozens and dozens of versions.  Here's one that I used for the single-layer cake featured here, inspired by a recipe in "The Victorian Kitchen Book of Cakes and Cookies", but altered to suit our taste. 

The sprig of holly is non-essential but incredibly traditional and gives a wonderfully earthy feel; so nice if you can get your hands on a piece to top your cake!  We are fortunate enough to have a holly tree living in the Grove and he kindly provided the holly for the Christmas Cake.