Monday 13 October 2008

Cider Sunday.




It is early morning and the garden is shrouded in an October mist. Hopefully this heralds another beautiful Autumnal day full of sunshine and warmth much like the perfect weekend we have just had. My weekend began with a treat, a little something of such loveliness that I couldn't resist - I bought myself a pincushion from a gorgeous new online shop called Made by Florence. I suggest you take yourselves off for a look at some of the beautiful things Florence makes, all very original and stitched with care. It is just perfect Florence and I have already used it to great effect all weekend - thank you x



Orders poured in all through last week, so I spent much of the weekend working in my sewing room which was very enjoyable. I can only imagine thoughts are turning Christmas-wise judging by the order list pinned on my wall and what is lovely is the range of things being ordered, everything from bags to Babbits (of which there are a vast number of the baby variety lined up on my shelves) to garden door hangings. It is all very busy and makes me feel I have hit the mark with my designs which is most gratifying. In between all this activity Dave and I made sure we all had a good time as a family - it was the weekend after all. Sunday morning saw us dressed and out by 9am after first downing a pot of coffee in bed first of course. By 9.30 we had collected two trugs of apples from a friend's garden.



Home once more and Elias and Dave set up the fruit press in the front garden while I got a hearty breakfast underway - sausages, beans, etc as a rare Sunday morning treat. My eldest son, Tom, arrived and was soon pulled into service with our diminutive press, which is somewhat ironic as he makes cider for a living with a press that makes ours seem a little on the small side. Doesn't everyone make cider dressed in surfwear?



Elias worked hard and the girls splashed and sploshed up and down the pathway in the excess water from cleaning the equipment. They were truly drenched by the time I called them all in for a sustaining breakfast - how often it seems I dress & re-dress little Isabella. Much toast was consumed accompanied by glassed of freshly squeezed apple juice which is so unlike anything I can describe. Each time you press it, it tastes different depending on the year, the varieties used, the mix of apples, but it always tastes just wonderful. This batch was brownish in colour as is usual and sweet. The remaining apples were pressed and the barrel now sits in the mint bed in front of the kitchen window turning into cider for Christmas festivities as a change from the other homemade beverages stowed away.



Dave went off to London in the afternoon for another meeting and what did I do instead of sewing? Made chutney with Tom as he had a burning desire to make some to take home to his girlfriend on her return from work later that day. We chopped and stirred and measured and chatted away the afternoon to the delicious smell of mint and vinegar, and the deeper aromas of fresh ginger combined with apple. A short while and several cups of tea later and here was the result of our endeavours, mine sensibly labelled like so...



and Tom's not so sensibly labelled like this (but much funnier I think!).



For those who may be interested, the recipe for this chutney which is delicious with cheese or meats is written up here. Make some, keep some & give some away for Christmas - homemade presents are always lovely aren't they?

Bye for now x

25 comments:

  1. What a wonderful weekend it looks like you've had. I've been hankering after one of those fruit presses...
    Best wishes
    Hen x

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  2. What a wonderful weekend. Your chutney sounds fabulous!

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  3. sounds delicious - the iGit would love the Cider, he relishes a good glassful

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  4. Mmm can just smell and taste! Wish I lived at your house!

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  5. Oh Pipany I'm so pleased to here that the business is going well for you.
    We have so many apples and no time to do anything with them at the moment so I'm somewhat envious of your cider / chutney making weekend, our was spent picking.

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  6. PS Had a look at Florence's site. Lovely things, but I couldnt find the prices!

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  7. How lovely to have your own home made cider in time for Christmas. I usually make damson gin at this time of year but the awful summer weather meant no damsons on the trees. Never mind, perhaps I'll find some sloes...

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  8. So glad to hear that your business ia booming, I can't say I'm surprised quality and originality wins me over the mass produced market every time.

    Kx

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  9. I adore cider. It gives me a bad head but I can't resist it. Lovely photos.

    CJ xx

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  10. I'm off to get that chutney recipe.
    I am pleased your busines is taking off (but not surprised).

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  11. Pip, it's lovely to hear that the business is doing so well. Not in the least surprising though.
    It seems ages since we sat in the Norway and talked about all your plans!

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  12. sounds like the perfect Sunday Pip.
    what a handsome brood you have. I really don't know how you juggle it all... i think you are amazing!!!
    love
    ginny xxxx
    p.s. so pleased to hear the orders are flooding in.

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  13. Pipany, I so love reading about how your weekends are spent.

    This just past weekend just seems such a tribute to the joys of fall. I am not sure that I even know many folks over here who know what chutney is! Scary, perhaps but true. I do know what chutney is and wish that I could follow all your recipes to the absolute letter. The results must be scrumptious!

    xo

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  14. What a lovely way to spend the weekend...sitting here 'stuck' to the sofa...I am itching to get on with things.....ggrrrrr.
    Great to hear the business is doing well too...em that reminds me I am supposed to be sewing for the Fair!
    Carol x

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  15. Gosh this sounds fabulous. I've been looking for an inspiring chutney recipe and this is it! Thank you Pip, delicious.
    Stephx

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  16. That does look like a fun way to spend a weekend - and with tasty goodies too.

    Love those hen-feeding hangers on the last post.

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  17. I just love cider.. sounds like a really great weekend.
    Lisa x

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  18. Oh wow that is exciting and lively. I think its fabulous. The whole family getting involved even the cool ones!! Great work. Very novel.

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  19. What a delightful weekend and so productive. We have a juice maker and I have been toying with the idea that this might be the year perhaps this blog entry will inspire me! We did make lovely plum jam last weekend and blackberry a few weeks ago. The chutney sounds scrummy. Nice to have found your blog.

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  20. I lived near Bude for 12 years and have now been on the south coast for about 12 years. I wonder if we have passed in the street without knowing it.

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  21. I lived near Bude for 12 years and have now been on the south coast for about 12 years. I wonder if we have passed in the street without knowing it.

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  22. A perfect weekend! I love cider and apple juices, especially the cloudy english apple juices. And your chutney sounds wonderful - I'll have to make some! I hope you are having a happy and creative week. Best Wishes. D

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  23. I bet the cider tasted wonderful and I agree about home made produce making lovely Christmas presents. Made with love.

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  24. fantastic weekend you have had there, love the chutney recipe, and fresh apple juice how great is that!
    We sometime use rough cider to make punch and it is delish.
    Cheers Jan

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