Autumn again

After three seasons of trying, I managed a good crop of tomatillos.  I now have several pots of roast tomatillo salsa in the freezer.  It makes a great base for a "Guatemalan chicken stew" (found the recipe on the internet), we love it - incredibly easy to make, tasty and low in calories.

The last of the maincrop potatoes are in (desiree), and they also did very well - some of them are huge!  And they should last us for months, by the look of them (I haven't weighed them yet.)

The hops also did splendidly.  I have dried them and I will soon start brewing some beer for Christmas, now that the weather is a little cooler.  I have to rely on the outside temperature as I have lost the spare fridge.  I kept it in the garage for my bacon experiments, and to keep my beer whilst it matures in bottles.  A mouse made a nest inside!  It brought dry leaves and newspaper and shredded it to form a cosy nest.  It was with some trepidation that I disturbed it, as I didn't fancy having to deal with a bunch a baby mice, but fortunately the nest was empty by the time I found it.  I didn't  like the idea of using the fridge after that, though, so I had to dispose of it, which was a shame.
Here is a picture of the hops.  I will be back with a post on my beer brewing, to justify my title of Alewife!

Juliette, in a nutshell.

Let me introduce myself: I am Juliette.  Years and years ago,  a book on my friend's shelf caught my eye, and I asked her what it was about.  It's about doing your own thing, she replied, why don't you borrow it?  I took it home, and I was hooked.  The book was "The Complete Book of Self Sufficiency", by John Seymour.

I was young and idealistic, and I wanted it all.  Next year. In 5 years. in 10 years. Never.  Life' priorities always seemed to knock me off track.  I know now that life is here and now, and my ideals have to be woven through all those priorities.  I thought this blog would help me focus, and celebrate my small achievements in my quest to have a hand made life.


So to fill in the detail:  I live in a suburban cul-de-sac on the edge of the New Forest.  I have an allotment nearby, which I am afraid to say, is a bit of a disgrace.  However, it produces some lovely veg and fruit.  Tonight some freshly picked peas, broad beans, courgettes and potatoes accompanied our pork chops.  I'm quite proud of that.

One of my goals for the next few weeks is to get to grips with the camera so I can post some pictures of my produce and crafts.  Also of my allotment, when I finally get around to tidying it!