getting organized!!!!!

I am looking at what seeds I have- what needs ordering afresh, what haven't I got?
More "investment"!!

This afternoon I will be packing a kiln for bisque firing, as preparation for more saltglaze firing.
A pity it isn't my kiln and I have to risk packing and carrying unfired porcelain pots first.....
The kiln here is NEARLY ready....so near....it would be so much faster and easier with a little more help at home (as would sorting the kitchen, etc!)

Looks like I am getting things done slowly without a lot of help, or it is coming from unexpected places- a relief indeed.

I am building dry brick walls on the allotment and sorting out the site for another (!) greenhouse.
The Allotments site is gradually looking cared for at last, although the committee has had to resort to a few warning letters to some plot holders.

Then there is Autumn. Then Winter.

The Vernal Equinox has just passed.

I must spend as much daylight as possible out of doors, to ease the passing of this time of year.

gardening and preserving and baking

Harvesting is relentless!!

Apples, pears,elderberries and blackberries, rasberries, yet more runner beans, kohl rabi, leeks, potatoes, gherkins.......

The pumpkins are swelling nicely and the sweetcorn wont be long now.

I hate brambles!!!!

I need thornproofs and welding gloves to collect windfall pears and apples in the orchard!

Crabapple jelly has been made, and pectin stock. Crabapple wine is on its way, and more jelly planned. Vodka needs to be bought to make crabapple vodka- New Year 2011 presents!!

The sourdough bread is improving steadily batch by batch as the 'Mother' is now about a year old and I am learning every time.

All this and I have been given the frame for an 8' by 12' greenhouse!!

The weather is steadily drawing in towards autumn but we are at last having some sun.

weather and gardening

Schools are back!

Of course the sun is shining!!

So we madly catch up with the weeding and sowing after all the rain.

The nights are becoming chilly and the first frost looms- seems like only yesterday we were hoping for the first frost free night

Weather

Yet MORE rain!!

Yet it is surprising how good the harvest has been. A little more sun and warmth would improve matters.
Yesterday morning bumble bees were sheltering on the sunflower heads, waiting for the day to dry out and warm up!!