I love my ball mason jars for preserves …we can buy others in Australia That are called (Aussie Mason) ..made in China ..nah I won’t touch them @PeppermintPatty
A Nice Walk ( with photos )
- Thread starter PeppermintPatty
- Start date
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Cucumber RelishEven my “ recipe“ I’ve got for drying fruit outside ….is great ….and can’t be found anywhere on the internet ….I cut the recipe out of a newspaper in 1970 ..it was a short version of a Dutch authors book instructions , the only such book left in Australia is in the state library of SA where you can go read it ( with cotton gloves on ) but you can’t borrow it ot take it out of the library ,
I gave a copy of the recipe to our postie ( postman ) and he lost it after processing his previous years crop and was to embraced to ask me for it again ….so he went searching the net and could not find it ..he eventually asked me again and I printed out and laminated a copy for him so he wouldn’t loose it again
4 cups cucumber deseeded and chopped
2 cups onions chopped
2 cups red/ green peppers chopped
1/4 cup pickling salt
3 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp of celery seeds
1 tbsp mustard seeds
Chop and combine all vegetables in a large bowl along with a 1/4 cup of pickling salt.
Cover with water to 1” above mixture and allow to set at room temperature for 2 hours.
Drain as much liquid as possible from mixture.
Combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, celery seed and turmeric in a large pot stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
Bring to a boil then add vegetable mixture and bring back to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium high and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Using serrated spoon ladle into jars and water bath for 10 minutes.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Whatever jars we use work wonderfully.
I bottled a few jars of pure lemon juice in late July after arriving home from our 7 weeks away ….
They will be good in cupboard for 12 + months in BM jars.
The juice is strained twice before adding to jar/ bottling but it still settles with a layer of pulp in the bottom of jar
Lemons from our own tree
We like fresh Lemon juice as as a refreshing drink in summer …….nothing but lemon juice and water
Yesterday I grated the rind off about 20 lemons and oven dried it , the dried zest is delicious added to some foods
like a prawn dish I make ..I teaspoon of dried = 1 tablespoon of fresh
it keeps well in pantry but I keep it in the fridge / freezer .
@PeppermintPatty
I mainly use these Italian made single piece lids for BM jars now days , they are re ~ useable ..not cheap .but .still cheaper than BM once used / bin them lids
They will be good in cupboard for 12 + months in BM jars.
The juice is strained twice before adding to jar/ bottling but it still settles with a layer of pulp in the bottom of jar
Lemons from our own tree
We like fresh Lemon juice as as a refreshing drink in summer …….nothing but lemon juice and water
Yesterday I grated the rind off about 20 lemons and oven dried it , the dried zest is delicious added to some foods
like a prawn dish I make ..I teaspoon of dried = 1 tablespoon of fresh
it keeps well in pantry but I keep it in the fridge / freezer .
@PeppermintPatty
I mainly use these Italian made single piece lids for BM jars now days , they are re ~ useable ..not cheap .but .still cheaper than BM once used / bin them lids
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
There’s the zone difference between where we both live. Lemons need at least a zone 9 to live therefore most of Canada is too cold. Apparently a certain type can grow in parts of Victoria BC.I bottled a few jars of pure lemon juice in late July after arriving home from our 7 weeks away ….
They will be good in cupboard for 12 + months in BM jars.
The juice is strained twice before adding to jar/ bottling but it still settles with a layer of pulp in the bottom of jar
Lemons from our own tree
We like fresh Lemon juice as as a refreshing drink in summer …….nothing but lemon juice and water
Yesterday I grated the rind off about 20 lemons and oven dried it , the dried zest is delicious added to some foods
like a prawn dish I make ..I teaspoon of dried = 1 tablespoon of fresh
it keeps well in pantry but I keep it in the fridge / freezer .
@PeppermintPatty
View attachment 365414View attachment 365415
I mainly use these Italian made single piece lids for BM jars now days , they are re ~ useable ..not cheap .but .still cheaper than BM once used / bin them lids
View attachment 365417
Your lemon juice looks great. What’s the biggest difference between the jars ? We use the typical Mason jars. They seem to work fine for us.
Our morning walk has been postponed.
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
The Waterfalls and Waterholes appeal as a destination to me, though I wouldn’t fancy meeting a Salty there or anywhere else. I like plants that make me feel small but not animals with lots of big teeth and a tiny brain set on kill 24/7.
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Today we walked behind our house to take the dogs for their walk, then we packed our bikes ready to go biking.
We biked 28 1/2 kilometres and had a blast. I learned a good lesson last time: just cause I can go faster, doesn’t mean I need to.
Today I only used peddle assist at 1 or 2 and stayed between 15 to 20 kilometres an hour.
Sunflowers in someone’s backyard that was backing onto the trail.
Today we passed two older bikers each pulling big trailers made for big older dogs. I wish I took a picture.
We also met an older couple using e-bikes who stopped at the same rest place we did. It seemed that there was washrooms every 10 kilometres or so.
Electric bikes still give the rider a work out.
That was a good workout.
We biked 28 1/2 kilometres and had a blast. I learned a good lesson last time: just cause I can go faster, doesn’t mean I need to.
Today I only used peddle assist at 1 or 2 and stayed between 15 to 20 kilometres an hour.
Sunflowers in someone’s backyard that was backing onto the trail.
Today we passed two older bikers each pulling big trailers made for big older dogs. I wish I took a picture.
We also met an older couple using e-bikes who stopped at the same rest place we did. It seemed that there was washrooms every 10 kilometres or so.
Electric bikes still give the rider a work out.
That was a good workout.
Last edited:
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Got in a nice walk today at the beach in San Francisco. The forecast for Berkeley had been a high of 90 F so we really lucked out since the temperature at the beach barely made it to 70. We could see the cloud bank sitting out along the beach as we came off the Bay Bridge.
It was cool and misty there. Heaven.
Once we got down to the beach I took out the ball and chucker but she still managed to play with a very nice 2 year old, 110 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback who chased her when she asked for it and then retreated when she felt a little too picked on and put on her full bitch face. We also saw a couple of horses. Me and the big dog's owner put our dogs on leash when they got close to us but some dog walkers didn't and the riders showed how a horse can push back against unruly dogs. No one got hurt.
Eventually reached the North ramp up from the beach where we met up with Lia and walked back to the car along the steep route.
From the top I took this picture down to the beach we'd crossed. The ramp up is just over the edge below the ice plant in the foreground.
It was cool and misty there. Heaven.
Once we got down to the beach I took out the ball and chucker but she still managed to play with a very nice 2 year old, 110 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback who chased her when she asked for it and then retreated when she felt a little too picked on and put on her full bitch face. We also saw a couple of horses. Me and the big dog's owner put our dogs on leash when they got close to us but some dog walkers didn't and the riders showed how a horse can push back against unruly dogs. No one got hurt.
Eventually reached the North ramp up from the beach where we met up with Lia and walked back to the car along the steep route.
From the top I took this picture down to the beach we'd crossed. The ramp up is just over the edge below the ice plant in the foreground.
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Beautiful photos Mark. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are interesting dogs. We used to live beside neighbours who had 2 of them.Got in a nice walk today at the beach in San Francisco. The forecast for Berkeley had been a high of 90 F so we really lucked out since the temperature at the beach barely made it to 70. We could see the cloud bank sitting out along the beach as we came off the Bay Bridge.
It was cool and misty there. Heaven.
Once we got down to the beach I took out the ball and chucker but she still managed to play with a very nice 2 year old, 110 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback who chased her when she asked for it and then retreated when she felt a little too picked on and put on her full bitch face. We also saw a couple of horses. Me and the big dog's owner put our dogs on leash when they got close to us but some dog walkers didn't and the riders showed how a horse can push back against unruly dogs. No one got hurt.
Eventually reached the North ramp up from the beach where we met up with Lia and walked back to the car along the steep route.
From the top I took this picture down to the beach we'd crossed. The ramp up is just over the edge below the ice plant in the foreground.
The horses will kick the dogs if provoked.
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Yep they reared up and pushed out with their legs, not reall a kick so much as a push.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Today was a 3 kilometre walk around the pond in the city.
It’s sunny and 22 degrees. It felt warmer than that. There are cormorants fishing and drying their wings. They look a bit like loons.
Walkway bridge
A fountain.
A forest fairy tree truck door.
It’s sunny and 22 degrees. It felt warmer than that. There are cormorants fishing and drying their wings. They look a bit like loons.
Walkway bridge
A fountain.
A forest fairy tree truck door.
Last edited:
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
That fairy door in the tree is very clever.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
It’s adorable .
JBR
Senior Member
Did you take a peek inside?It’s adorable .
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Didn’t exactly get a walk today because I took Lia to Stanford for treatment again today. So early morning I got up and walked Ember to the park behind us and threw her the ball a while. Then, once I dropped Lia off for treatment I walked a short way to the Arizona garden. Not its best season but always something happening.
Couldn't post more photos from today but here are a couple from past visits.
Gotta to go pay for parking almost time to get Lia.
Couldn't post more photos from today but here are a couple from past visits.
Gotta to go pay for parking almost time to get Lia.
I’ve got quite a few small succulents …but I’m not a real lover of cacti ,but DH like and has got a golden ball ( spiky thing )
Its very dry climate where I live, I’m surprised there’s no Grass trees growing in our area , as it’s very similar country to where we found them growing in Western Aust and Northern Territory
We have quite a few patches of what’s called Red hot pokers….(they are a huge succulent types of growth )
growing around the old limestone / mud built homes in the area …
don’t know what their proper names are but they add quite a bit of colour to the areas .
one of your photos looked like it may have been Prickly pear that grows where we are ....and people pick them ,not even sure if they are eating fresh ..or preserving them ( I’ve seen instructions in my very old preserving book how to preserve PP )
@MarkD
Its very dry climate where I live, I’m surprised there’s no Grass trees growing in our area , as it’s very similar country to where we found them growing in Western Aust and Northern Territory
We have quite a few patches of what’s called Red hot pokers….(they are a huge succulent types of growth )
growing around the old limestone / mud built homes in the area …
don’t know what their proper names are but they add quite a bit of colour to the areas .
one of your photos looked like it may have been Prickly pear that grows where we are ....and people pick them ,not even sure if they are eating fresh ..or preserving them ( I’ve seen instructions in my very old preserving book how to preserve PP )
@MarkD
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
I know them as red hot pokers but the botanical name is Knifophia - or is it Knphofia? - never can remember. Poker plant! Don't think of them as coming from down your way but never knew either.
I will take photos in the what is called the red hot poker plants in the next few days , they are nothing like the strap like foliage on plants by same name I’ve googled ….they are huge growing succulent
in fact we travel along the main highway thats highway 1 …. for 100 km when we’ve been down to city / back
and there is a NOW ..very neglected cacti / succulent garden that used to be a very popular tourist attraction
that has the RHP plants growing around the boundary of the property , it used to look very attractive in winter with its orange flowers but is now overgrown with weeds
Abandoned SA tourist destination and cactus ranch to be restored to former glory
@MarkD
It said in link it was going to be reopened ….but it still looks very neglected. / abandoned …to me and we traveled right past it a few days ago …
It’s very interesting comparing notes about plants Mark because I’m a garden lover even tho we only have a small area to do so ..but we take advance of the area we have for growing our own fruit to preserve and dry / eat fresh
So we very rarely have to buy any fruit ( only bananas ) and ours are chemical free .
My main interest plant wise is growing shade loving plants called Begonias ..not just any common begonias but special ones … mainly being the rhizomatous type
Screen shot from that link of what we call Red hot pokers, ….and in right of photo would be the same plants but no flowers
in fact we travel along the main highway thats highway 1 …. for 100 km when we’ve been down to city / back
and there is a NOW ..very neglected cacti / succulent garden that used to be a very popular tourist attraction
that has the RHP plants growing around the boundary of the property , it used to look very attractive in winter with its orange flowers but is now overgrown with weeds
Abandoned SA tourist destination and cactus ranch to be restored to former glory
@MarkD
It said in link it was going to be reopened ….but it still looks very neglected. / abandoned …to me and we traveled right past it a few days ago …
It’s very interesting comparing notes about plants Mark because I’m a garden lover even tho we only have a small area to do so ..but we take advance of the area we have for growing our own fruit to preserve and dry / eat fresh
So we very rarely have to buy any fruit ( only bananas ) and ours are chemical free .
My main interest plant wise is growing shade loving plants called Begonias ..not just any common begonias but special ones … mainly being the rhizomatous type
Screen shot from that link of what we call Red hot pokers, ….and in right of photo would be the same plants but no flowers
Last edited:
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
The orange flowers belong to an aloe but I don’t know which. The flowers are variable and often spectacular. Just off to sleep but plan to o look these over some more soon.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
I’m not a big fan of cacti either. I was going to add something else but I’d best not. 
lol
Some cactus plants certainly are interesting though.
Today we walked 3 kilometres @ a provincial park. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The owners never charge us. Then again, my husbands a veteran so I think we have free day passes.
We met a few campers who were really nice to us and our dogs. I automatically like people who like dogs.
We walked around the trails in the park and it was nice.
The dogs love this walk. It’s one of their most favourite walks.
The park is right near the canal. It has a lift up bridge to let boats pass by.
lolSome cactus plants certainly are interesting though.
Today we walked 3 kilometres @ a provincial park. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The owners never charge us. Then again, my husbands a veteran so I think we have free day passes.
We met a few campers who were really nice to us and our dogs. I automatically like people who like dogs.
We walked around the trails in the park and it was nice.
The dogs love this walk. It’s one of their most favourite walks.
The park is right near the canal. It has a lift up bridge to let boats pass by.
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Here’s a single fawn in our backyard. Photo taken from our sunroom.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Hi Kadee. Wild deer are the only types of deer I know of. We often see them eating our grass. We don’t mind that they do. In fact, I’d like to round up about 20 of them to help keep our grass short. lol