Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[craftyhunnypie]

Yesterday afternoon, after all chores were done & animals seen to, we went blackberry picking. Lots & lots, I'm very surprised the birds haven't had them.

So last night I made OH a blackberry crumble & I still have lots to make jam with today. I'll go get some more in the week to make some blackberry port wine & start a rum topf ( large kilner jar).

I think there are some damsons down a footpath, so will go & have a mooch there too.

I love it when you can find food for free & turn it all into something lovely.

We had such a lovely afternoon in the sunshine. But at one point I nearly fell on my back side in our stream. As we had to cross it to one blackberry bush Oops!

The rest were just along the normal hedgerow

Emma.x

[Old Speckled Hen]

Lucky you.....

None left here

Looking forward to the mushrooms though. We've picked parasols and ceps already in our little bit of wood so a foray into the woods in the valley is in order.

Still not sorted with moving boxes but I'll be knocking on your door to say hello before Christmas.

We've abandoned the livestock route as we have too many family commitments ....just the chooks and the bees.... so we've decided to plant an arboretum on two of the acres. Very excited......indigenous and exotic species....lots to plan

[Indispensable Hobbes]

I've bottled up some blackberries, sugar and whiskey which can stay in the cupboard for a few months

 

Borrowed a demijohn from my mother to make some elderberry wine, shall pick those this coming weekend. I might pick the sloes that i've found as well. I think there were some red currants along the track, but not 100%

[craftyhunnypie]

I don't drink - so anything alcoholic will be for hubby and prezzies. Anyone know of anything non alcoholic I can make?

Oh & I don't fancy blackberry vinegar.

I got 5 full jars of blackberry jam made this afternoon. I'd forgotten how good my jam make gadget is.

Got plans for lots more jam making in the week.

Emma.x

[Old Speckled Hen]

Fruit Leather?

Great fun to make and yummy to eat

[CheekyPekins]

Blackberry chutney? We made this last year (or poss. year before?) when we had a bumper crop of blackberries and decided we didn't need any more jam, but still had tons of blackberries to use! This recipe is good: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2643/spicy-blackberry-chutney

 

If you have a source of free apples, this one's good too: http://www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/blackberry-and-apple-chutney

 

Makes a great Xmas present....

 

I've frozen a load of blackberries this year, for crumble-making through the next 6 months and we've made more blackberry and coconut squares and blackberry and apple cake than is sensible for the waistline!

[Indispensable Hobbes]

Oh & I don't fancy blackberry vinegar.

 

My fiances' stepmam swears by this warmed when you've got a cold. It's strangely palatable, stinks and tastes rank but that's when you know it does you good haha!

 

Elderflower cordial earlier on in the year went down well

[The Dogmother]

I go hedge-witching every autumn but the hedgerows are very sp"Ooops, word censored!" this year; I hope it doesn't have an adverse effect on the wildlife.

 

My freezer is packed with crab apples (such as I could find), blackberries, wild raspberries, damsons, plums from my tree and tender nettle tops (the hens and dogs love them). And I have been picking Fat Hen for the bunnies and chooks.... nothing goes to waste around here!

 

If you're getting into it then try borrowing Alys Fowler's book The Thrifty Forager, it will help you to identify what's edible and is a good starting point.

[Valkyrie]

I agree, not many blackberries this year and our usual place had been stripped virtually bare - some heavy duty picking going on from the trampled ground. I would say they didn't leave anything for anyone else to enjoy! Sloes were the same, one minute green then a frost and there was nothing. Just a few rotting berries when we managed to go out to look. There were loads last year and we were still picking in November! No yummy alcyfrolly vodka for me next year!!! Although there were rosehips aplenty.