Odds and ends

We had a refreshing rain last night to wet things down, and this morning feels downright fall-like. But the heavenly weather continues on this week, once the clouds clear out today.

I took the time this summer to thin the Sparta apples, so we have fewer, slightly larger ones on the tree.  Maybe I'll do something with them for a change.

Being Seattle, they are, of course, moderately wormy.  I don't know anyone this side of the mountains who grows perfect backyard apples, and if they did, you wouldn't want to eat them with the all the chemicals that requires.

As expected, not a single plum on our tree this summer. I'm just happy it's still alive. Remember last fall we amputated to the point of death to get rid of the aphids?  That worked, and the top grew right back. If the new branches bloom next spring, we should be in the plum business again.

It was a busy weekend on the domestic front. Our neighbor brought over a huge shopping bag full of nice Italian plums from their tree and that started a canning marathon, with John in charge of chopping.

I was grateful for the help, because my poor old fingers can't handle long hours of fine chopping. Chutney is a snap to make once that chore is done, because everything goes into the pot at once and cooks down to a delicious concoction so good on meat, curry, cheese, etc.

We also made 5 jars of date chutney with a random recipe I found on the Internet. Got lucky and it turned out delicious.  We sampled a bit on a cracker with some special goat cheese from the Methow Valley.  Oh. My. Goodness.  And how tasty it will be on a slice of rich roast pork.

BTW, King County has been stuck at "Phase Two" reopening since June 19th, with no indication things are going to change soon. I see many winter home dinners ahead.

If you shop at Trader Joes, check out this rather weird "Harvest Grain" mix.  It makes an OK hot side dish, but a much better salad, with olives, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes, also sold there in a cheap packet. We should have stopped with that for a satisfying healthy dinner, but we also split a grilled Cornish hen. No photo, I'm sure you're tired of my dirty grill pictures.

But I never get tired of these chicken pictures, and the hens continue to bring local and long-distance pleasure.  They started laying all in a single pile on the straw, but it looks like they've figured out the private nest boxes.  Amanda said there is a huge amount of clucking and squawking to announce the eggs, then they quietly settle down to business.

This has been a wonderful 4-H project for the girls even without the 4-H. Maybe next summer. These healthy big chickens would surely win first prize at the fair.

And last but not least, a pretty smiling face to start the week.  Nova finished the puzzle we gave her for her birthday.