tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1351763509590002911..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Dried apricot jam and elderberry cordialUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19483815073668727872019-02-18T22:42:03.621+10:002019-02-18T22:42:03.621+10:00I was super busy last week finishing off painting ...I was super busy last week finishing off painting and gardening jobs for a garden party on Friday. It’s so lovely to have these tasks done. But now I need to get stuck into folding the washing and giving the cottage a good vacuum and dust. And there’s always gardening ... i need to pick our elderberries and make cordial too! Lily Boothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01844521216295491047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27910464606243218752019-02-15T09:33:11.807+10:002019-02-15T09:33:11.807+10:00Yes, adding whey will add lactobacillus and it sho...Yes, adding whey will add lactobacillus and it should make a good fizzy drink. I do have a fizzy ginger beer recipe here too.Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5706465069857355942019-02-15T09:22:30.949+10:002019-02-15T09:22:30.949+10:00Have you ever used the left over whey from cheese ...Have you ever used the left over whey from cheese making to make your own soft drink. I made the ginger cordial recipe from your book but felt I wanted it fizzy. (Kids are determined to ruin my old fashion ginger beer recipe with their wonderful help) Can I add whey from making ricotta to make it fizzy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40993367951786000912019-02-15T06:01:26.841+10:002019-02-15T06:01:26.841+10:00your bread looks so yummy and so do your jams! i ...your bread looks so yummy and so do your jams! i find it so funny to hear you talk about how hot it is and how cool to cold it is here in Tennessee. your dog is so cute too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11572655190866334266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53069740975822964182019-02-14T00:23:19.275+10:002019-02-14T00:23:19.275+10:00That bread looks utterly delicious. I have made br...That bread looks utterly delicious. I have made bread to use for sandwiches and toast, but I've never made five-minute bread. Someday, I'll give it a try. My baking project for the weekend will be to make an apple pie. I have some soft apples that need to be used.Laurie Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05325882465476679150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82880304563088807652019-02-12T18:31:02.428+10:002019-02-12T18:31:02.428+10:00We moved 1.5 years ago to our island paradise and ...We moved 1.5 years ago to our island paradise and last week I started to 7npack my 100 craft boxes, it was like Christmas, seeing all my stuff again. I still have a lo or boxes to unpack but it’s a good feeling to see my craft room coming togetherBridget Larsenhttp://bridgetlarsen.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82126139804973917002019-02-12T18:18:15.282+10:002019-02-12T18:18:15.282+10:00I wish we had some of the cold weather here, Wilma...I wish we had some of the cold weather here, Wilma. I hope you like the bread.Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38720349320959354062019-02-12T18:17:29.512+10:002019-02-12T18:17:29.512+10:00It sounds like a busy home, Sara. Take care in the...It sounds like a busy home, Sara. Take care in the storm. Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88207089369303904782019-02-12T18:16:25.430+10:002019-02-12T18:16:25.430+10:00Great work, Rebecca.Great work, Rebecca.Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86795419219793130852019-02-12T14:18:50.138+10:002019-02-12T14:18:50.138+10:00Still dealing with the produce coming in from the ...Still dealing with the produce coming in from the garden quite frequently, which is wonderful. Also cleaning the oven and need to clean the fridge before shopping tomorrow. x Kate from Tassie Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16715125727791233577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19285397871169265252019-02-12T12:57:52.722+10:002019-02-12T12:57:52.722+10:00Every day after work I'm preserving. Yesterday...Every day after work I'm preserving. Yesterday & today is oven roasted passata. Hoping to do zucchini pickles tomorrow, and grape jelly if I get to it. This time of year is rewarding but exhausting!Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02722756245115622662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12127063695340403342019-02-12T12:02:06.846+10:002019-02-12T12:02:06.846+10:00I work full-time and I am taking some classes as w...I work full-time and I am taking some classes as well so not as much time in the home. I create my to do list by the week rather than by the day. This week I am working to get some impatien seeds started for the window boxes come spring, I deep cleaned the refrigerator and the shower. I will make some soup for the week and yesterday I made hummus with roasted garlic. I also got some mending done this last weekend. I am afraid that tomorrow I be spending quite a bit of time shoveling some snow but at least I will be working from home due to the expected winter storm coming through. Sara888https://www.blogger.com/profile/06501978203284800309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79270861399455226142019-02-12T11:27:07.742+10:002019-02-12T11:27:07.742+10:00HI. Most of the time I'm just only a reader. ...HI. Most of the time I'm just only a reader. But now I found your recipe!! That's a good idea.<br />Can you imagine that we have a real bad cold time here now? Minus 42 yesterday and overnight almost there.<br />Certainly will try your recipe!!<br />Thank you and enjoy the nice weather!<br />Love<br />WilmaWilmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81535894542279629072019-02-12T09:58:34.835+10:002019-02-12T09:58:34.835+10:00Not much on my list today Rhonda as I am recoverin...Not much on my list today Rhonda as I am recovering from gum surgery yesterday. I thought I would take the opportunity to catch up on some reading of blogs I like, general reading and some writing of my Family History blog.It's warm here as it is at your place but the fans cool us down enough thank goodness. I like the sound of your Apricot jam, what a great idea.Take care, PaulineHappy Retiree's Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614074474795791475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31476282581134894922019-02-12T09:54:06.793+10:002019-02-12T09:54:06.793+10:00Madelieine, thank you for the hint about the trenc...Madelieine, thank you for the hint about the trench. Not doing that would explain why I haven't succeeded as well as you :)Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67837391449138649072019-02-12T09:23:16.925+10:002019-02-12T09:23:16.925+10:00So impressed with your loaf of bread. A real Artis...So impressed with your loaf of bread. A real Artisan loaf.<br />A friend gave me a small bucket of Tamarillos the other day. He reckons once I've removed the skins I should have 3 lbs of fruit which is just enough for the recipe he gave me, that went with the fruit. He didn't need to tell me how old the recipe is (over 30 years) - as it's still in lbs. <br />It's going to be so darn hot here in Brisbane today - and for the rest of the week, so I'm staying indoors today and turning this gifted fruit into delicious chutney.A Gardening Grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08846310124853068068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7174451692528032882019-02-12T07:20:09.040+10:002019-02-12T07:20:09.040+10:00That sounds like a good list for a busy homemaker,...That sounds like a good list for a busy homemaker, Fiona, but when you have to go out to work too, I understand why going back to work today isn't top of your list. Take care out there. xxRhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15336312235572010732019-02-12T06:42:55.404+10:002019-02-12T06:42:55.404+10:00Goodmorning Rhonda,
Yesterday was a day off from ...Goodmorning Rhonda, <br />Yesterday was a day off from work for me, so early in the morning I wrote out a list of what I wanted to get done. On the list was-<br />Dust and polish furniture<br />Declutter, clean and sort office desk <br />Ring vet for our cats yearly vaccination <br />Water late arvo<br />Shake out mats <br /><br />I got all of the list done except the watering which I’ll do this afternoon, late. Back to work today, really can’t say I want to. Have a lovely day,<br />FiFiona Chainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982181165314399167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34572939692698477572019-02-12T06:24:47.411+10:002019-02-12T06:24:47.411+10:00I've never made jam from dried fruits. I must ...I've never made jam from dried fruits. I must try dried apricot jam recipe once I finish the store bought jar. :)<br /><br />I made elderberry cordial once. I'm collecting berries to make a large batch next time. Nil @ The Little House by the Lakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05812637017406376233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4162120301702669562019-02-12T06:06:11.627+10:002019-02-12T06:06:11.627+10:00Thanks for your lovely comment, Maria. It sounds ...Thanks for your lovely comment, Maria. It sounds like you're living very much like we do here. No need to apologise for a long comment, they're my favourite ones. 😉Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-384620226696081972019-02-12T04:24:52.510+10:002019-02-12T04:24:52.510+10:00Hi Rhonda, you seem to have found your groove in g...Hi Rhonda, you seem to have found your groove in going between Insta posts and your blog - I'm really enjoying both (and a great way to see more of Gracie). If you hadn't mentioned that you'd rested for a couple of weeks, I never would have known - it seems like you have been steadily ramping up and now are in high gear! I cleaned the whole house and did laundry yesterday, I've ironed and done paperwork so far today, and next up is cooking for this week. Back to work tomorrow and battling my way to and from work through the ice and snow. I keep reading in the paper about the terrible summer season you have had in AUS - hope things will ease for you all soon. Beth in MN Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41288968305085592832019-02-11T22:35:10.350+10:002019-02-11T22:35:10.350+10:00Hello dear Rhonda,
your dried apricot jam and fiv...Hello dear Rhonda, <br />your dried apricot jam and five minute bread look amazing. What a perfect combination-home made jam and crusty bread. Your dried apricot jam reminds me of my high school home economics class where I made dried apricot jam for the first time ever. We each took home a jar of jam. It was delicious. What a lovely memory you have triggered. I am definitely going to make some with the recipe from the site you have mentioned.<br />We are lucky to have a five year old apricot tree in our garden and although it only had a small crop this year I was able to make ten 300ml jars of jam. Five to give away and five for the pantry.<br />I make your five minute bread often. Sometimes I follow your recipe to the letter but I have also adapted the recipe to use up some of my sourdough starter in place of the dried yeast and some of the water. <br />At the moment I am dealing with a surplus of peaches, figs, plums and nectarines. I am stewing and freezing the fruit in portions just enough to use for baking or to eat with custard, ice cream or yoghurt. I have been making yoghurt since you posted about your electric yoghurt maker. I bought the Green Living Yoghurt maker and haven't looked back. I make yoghurt at least once a week.<br />Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your blog Rhonda. I enjoy all your posts but love your food and recipe posts. You have had such a positive impact on my life and in turn my family's life. Our meals are all home made from scratch. I make bread, cakes, biscuits, muffins, bagels, flatbread and pita bread. I make jams and pickles and yoghurt. We have many fruit trees and grow as many herbs and vegetables as possible. I freeze or preserve whatever isn't eaten fresh.<br />I apologise for the very long comment Rhonda but I think that I can say on behalf of your many readers that you are a truly wonderful role model. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wonderful recipes and for encouraging us to live a simple and more meaningful life. <br />Best wishes,<br />Maria from Adelaide xx. Emm-Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09605579679536762852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56779532768540519052019-02-11T16:35:03.689+10:002019-02-11T16:35:03.689+10:00I'm keen to see your polystyrene planter boxes...I'm keen to see your polystyrene planter boxes. I use these too and have converted them to wicking boxes (very easy too) and get bumper crops every time.<br />I go to the fruit and veg dept at Coles and they give me their broccoli boxes for freePhil Poggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10528068263542083696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38388163691355072582019-02-11T13:31:33.223+10:002019-02-11T13:31:33.223+10:00The picture of all those elderberries reminds me I...The picture of all those elderberries reminds me I must harvest mine soon.<br /><br />I spent the morning cleaning up fallen fruit in the orchard, then harvested about 5 kilos of pears, as well as lots of veg. I pulled black plastic off a 30 M square area where I am killing kikuyu grass permanently without chemicals. Now I just need to let the completely dead grass sit in 30 plus temperatures for a week or two and the dead runners can be removed and the area planted. I did another large area like this 18 months ago and the grass has never returned (but you need to have a deep trench/edge around the garden to ensure the existing lawn doesn't get in).<br /><br />When I came inside I made a corn and carrot miso soup (with my own veg) and a middle Eastern barley salad for dinner tonight, plus a few other things. I've cleaned up and have about 90 minutes to myself before my paid work starts! At least tonight's meal is ready to go.<br /><br />MadeleineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35733253424310429992019-02-11T13:30:52.673+10:002019-02-11T13:30:52.673+10:00Sugar and boiling the jam help with the preservati...Sugar and boiling the jam help with the preservation. If you use sterile jars, they don't need a waterbath. Mine are in the cupboard.<br />Rhonda Jeanhttps://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com