Mill Hill Meadow Messenger {Edition 2}

By, Kerin

Mill Hill Meadow Messenger correspondent.

 

 It's no secret that everyone here at Mill Hill Meadow, is anxious for Fall.

Late last night, as the wind was howling, and the cloud

were gathering over the meadow, you could almost

smell Fall.

 

Attention all gardeners:

Keep dead-heading those flowers, encouraging new growth.

Now is the time to plant those last few perennials for the year.

It's also time to order those Spring blooming bulbs.

Also, check your local nurseries for Fall blooming plants like asters, and mums.

Fall is also Garlic planting time!!!

For information about planting garlic:http://blog.seedsavers.org/growing-garlic/?gclid=CI3Cy-vXn8ACFUKCMgodDGMAJw

If you plant garlic now, you can be harvesting garlic next June, or July!

 

Weather Folklore of the day:

A fog in August indicates a severe winter and plenty of snow.

It's been foggy a few mornings here folks.

So, get ready for snow this winter!

Fog rolling across the meadow, earlier this month.

 

 

 

Tasty Tidbits:

It's that time of year again. Filling up the canning jars, and preserving the summers bounty.

It's just a teeny bit early for pears in our neck of the woods, but that isn't stopping this correspondent from drying pears, and canning pears. 

Here at Mill Hill Meadow, pears sit on the countertop to ripen.

Just a day more, or so, and these pears will be turned into pear butter!!

click here to find original source for recipe :http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2010/10/vanilla-spiced-pear-butter.html

 

Ingredients:

7 lbs. pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup water
zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
juice of 1 orange

Directions:

In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine the pears, water, lemon zest and juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and boil gently, occasionally stirring, for 20 minutes.

Working in batches, transfer mixture to a food processor fitted with a metal blade and puree just until a uniform texture is achieved. Do not liquefy. Measure 8 cups of pear puree (I used the excess as Pear sauce).

In a clean large stainless steel saucepan, combine pear puree, sugar, orange juice, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and holds it shape to a spoon and liquid does not separate.

Meanwhile, prepare canner, jars and lids: Wash and rinse the jars in hot soapy water. Drain the jars well of any excess water. Set the screw bands aside - they don't require sterilizing. Place the lids - the flat round portion of the two-piece closures - in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer. Don't boil. Keep lids hot until you're ready to use them.

Ladle hot butter into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head-space. Remove air bubbles and adjust head-space, if needed, but adding more butter. Wipe rim. Center the lid on jar and screw band down until resistance is med, then increase to fingertip tight.

Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.

  

      I can hardly wait to make a batch, and fill up some jars.

 

ALL THE BUZZ:
 I'd like to add that there are

3 jars sitting on a shelf in my pantry

filled with this seasons fresh honey.

Courtesy of a friends hives.
It's harvest time; for honey too.

For all you adventurous folks:
Get out and enjoy these last few days of summer.

 

Just 34 days left until the official start of Fall!

 

From the front porch here at Mill Hill Meadow,

to your front porch....

just one last little thought for all the readers of this edition :

 

"The Harvest"

Golden sheaves stand ripening
in the setting sun,
Bounty of a fruitful harvest,
A year's labor well spent.

From tiniest seed to trees laden
with sweet promise
The earth gives forth her joy
in abundance.

Author: Franca de la Pena

 

Mill Hill Meadow Messenger Edition 2