Tuesday

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!!!
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
 


23 comments:

  1. Garlic? Really? I didn't know that. I am going to plant some! NOW! Thanks! I love love love some roasted garlic. MMMmmm!

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  2. I love your photos today, Kerin. Even Georgia is seeing earlier than usual signs of fall. Fall is my favorite time of year. Your pears remind me of my Great Aunt Lucy. She had pear trees and it was always fun to help her in the kitchen with canning. The U.S. had an unusual summer and I am anxious to know what our winter will be like.
    Your front entrance is lovely and so welcoming. Enjoy the day!

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  3. I love the new title and I love this post. Thanks for tips on flowers, planting and plants. I need all the help I can get. I've never had Pear Butter and I just gotta try. Thanks for the recipe :) -Bev

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  4. It is just hard to believe that fall will be here so soon! This has been such a "busy" summer... it has flown past. The Little Men & Co. are coming this Friday... so, I will SAVOR the last sweet drops of summer with them. Thank you for reminding us to enjoy its last few weeks.

    Your pear butter looks delicious and your porch so welcoming and beautiful!! Makes me smile. blessings and hugs ~ tanna
    ps thank you SO MUCH for your prayers for Tammie. She is such a precious young woman. Thank you again.

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  5. Another wonderful edition of the Mars Hill Meadow. I love your recipe. I have never made pear jam or dehydrated them. It sounds like something I will have to try. I like your weather saying about fog. I am looking forward to fall too.
    I love your photos today.
    Is that your house? It looks beautiful.

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  6. We've had quite a bit of fog here too. I'm afraid we're in for another rough winter. I can't even think about Fall yet!

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  7. We eat a lot of garlic here but I've never grown any. Do you just put a clove in the ground?

    Lots of fog around here every morning. I guess we're in for lots of snow like last year!

    I'm so glad I have a front porch. It's one of my favorite places.

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  8. Always enjoy a visit to Mill Hill Meadow. I am a fan of pears and your recipe sounds so good. I may even have to try a little cooking. I make apple sauce in the fall, but I think some pear sounds good, too.

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  9. Evening Kerin, Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of year...but I am still enjoying the summer here in Ohio! We have had a beautiful summer~~~and I'm hoping for a beautiful, long Fall! Your porch is so pretty....I know you will have so pretty for the Fall~~~Blessings~~~p.s. still thinking of a name for the cottage!

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  10. Ambitious you are . . .
    Loved seeing your front entrance to your home.
    Very charming!

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  11. Loved your post and photos! I do hope the folklore is wrong, 'cause we've had some fog in the mornings lately. :) You have a beautiful front porch!

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  12. Hi Kerin. I love what you are doing. You are just like the Farmer's Almanac. It is so much fun and so many teachable moments. I don't think I saw a picture of you new home yet. (I'm sure, where have I been?) It looks absolutely gorgeous. I love where you are going..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  13. That porch is beautiful and I look forward to seeing it decorated for
    Fall.

    The jam looks delicious.

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  14. Hi Kerin, I didn't know that about fog. We've had a bit here lately. Maybe we will actually have snow. I would love it. I miss it so much. I loved Utah winters.

    Love your post and the pics.

    Take care, Janet W

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  15. Love pear and apple butter! Something my grandma used to make. Love your new blog name and format. Life is constantly changing might as well enjoy it. The squirrels in our Walnut tree are already storing nuts for the winter. That's supposed to mean an early and cold winter. Wouldn't be surprised it's been a cold summer. Mimi

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  16. Happy "end-of-summer." I wonder if garlic would grow out here in the Arizona heat. Enjoy the week-to-come!

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  17. You house must have been filled with wonderful smells when cooking the pears. Delicious! Your new blog name is lovely and the set-up of it is very pretty, Kerin. Enjoy the next chapter of life!

    Karen

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  18. Oh, you pear butter looks so yummy!! Thanks for sharing your recipe!! I love fall and can't wait for it to come!! Sweet front porch! Have a lovely week!! xo Heather

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  19. It's so nice to meet you. I came over from Judy's blog. Great post and I am looking forward to your next. I am a new follower - stop by sometime.
    Mary

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  20. Hi Karin, How cute the way you are writing your blog. Like a news bulletin. lots of good info and such nice pictures. Yes Fall is coming and I'm wondering what winter will be like this year. we live in a major snow belt not far from Buffalo. The changing of the seasons is always exciting.
    Nancy Jo

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  21. Your pear butter looks so good, I've never had it before.
    I am enjoying these last days of summer with a daily walk on our country road

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  22. Good evening, Kerin~

    I am so glad that fall is on it's way. I do not like the heat of summer but I do love all the gardens and flowers bloomingl

    Your pictures are always so pretty and just draw you in.....BEAUTIFUL!

    Blessings~
    Laura

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  23. I'm a first timer..I follow Lynne regularly..Love your blog..So fresh!! Great pictures..I'm really looking forward to fall..Wish I could "follow you by email"...I tend to forget to check in otherwise...Happy end of summer...

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It means so much to me, that you've taken a few minutes in your day, to stop by and visit.
I love getting to know you, and having our "chats".
Have a wonderful day.