Chitchat thread #24

[mothhawk]

Elderflower cordial (makes about 2 litres)

About 25 elderflower heads
Finely grated zest of 3 unwaxed lemons and 1 orange, plus their juice
1kg sugar - this is what the recipe says but I find it too sweet and use about 750g

Inspect the elderflower heads carefully and remove any insects, but don't wash them or you lose the flavour. Place the flower heads in a large bowl together with the orange and lemon zest.
Bring 1.5 litres water to the boil and pour over the elderflowers and citrus zest. Cover and leave overnight to infuse.
Strain the liquid through a scalded jelly bag or piece of muslin and pour into a saucepan. Add the sugar, the lemon and orange juice, heat gently to dissolve the sugar, then bring to a simmer and cook for a couple of minutes.
Use a funnel to pour the hot syrup into sterilised bottles and seal. (I don't do this as it gets used quickly. I put it in a big jug in the fridge).
To use, dilute to taste with water or soda water. Also good drizzled over ice cream.

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

It's very windy here this morning with quite a lot of cloud around. We had more rain in the night.

I gave not slept well, again, and am not in the best of moods this morning.

I think my nose must be faulty when it comes to elderflowers. For some reason they smell of cat pee to me, which as you can imagine, is rather off-putting. Is it just me?

I put together one of my Ikea chairs yesterday. I'd just got cardboard, plastic and mess spread everywhere when we got an unexpected visitor. That, combined with Mr GF moaning at me for using a rolling pin as a mallet, (very tight dowels) made me put off doing the other. Maybe he's worried that I'm going to turn into the wife in the seaside postcards, waiting behind the door ready to attack her husband with a rolling pin.

I think I'm going to make more coffee now.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Warm but windy here this morning.

There's nothing wrong with using a rolling pin mallet GF its just utilising what's on hand.

enjoy your Sunday

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

I've never seen elderflowers here. Your cordial sounds lovely, MH.

Lovely start to the day. Dog still here, Mr Snoop still here, I'm still here and the sun is shining.

I'm in the throes of making yogurt to go in the bread proofing box. It is more of a faff than making it in my ancient Easiyo thing. But the plastic is well past its best and making it like this I can use glass, which is easier to clean. Anyway, fingers crossed it's a success.

After that, I'm going to try a few preserved lemons, just to see how I go with those. Fingers crossed for them too, as I keep coming across recipes I like the sound of that use them.

And after that, some domestics and work.

Have a great day, everyone. And good luck with the other chair, GF.

[bramble]

Go9d morning all, it's a bright and breezy morning here.
The greenhouse is watered and the laundry is blowing in the br.
Off to the church shortly and then grandson is coming for lunch.

GF, your a jack of all trades, you seem to be able to turn your hand to anything.

Mothhawk, I like the sound of your elderberry cordial and I may give it a try,

Have a good day all.

11

[Nicos]

Many thank MH…sounds lovely!
I’m not likely to get through a lot of it at a time, so was wondering how long it keeps for?
Maybe freezing icecubes of it would work?…I guess one or two per glass would be perfect?

[greenishfing]

Snoop, you've just reminded me that I ought to set off another jar or two of preserved lemons. I've only got one full jar left. I like a couple of pieces chopped up and added to my salmon risotto, or a few pieces added to roast veg.

[Jay22]

Afternoon, showery day today but the rain was unbelievable during the night!
Nothing being done today, having a lazy day.
Spoke to our granddaughter yesterday via FaceTime but she was eating a snack at the time. Her reply to our questions was ‘Guys, don’t speak to me when my mouth is full’. She’s 4!! Lesson learned!!😀
Have a lovely day everyone. x

[Florence Fennel]

Prevening All Brilliant weekend - it was a wonderful wedding. The weather was as beautiful as the Bride. It started to rain as we ended the proceedings at one in the morning, so absolutely ideal. The bride and groom went to Wembley early next morning and despite their team losing had another lovely day. They're off on their honeymoon on Tuesday, Las Vegas and then Jamaica. It's all been very Fairy Tale, apart from Himself falling over in the hotel room and banging his head! It's really shaken him up. He's grazed his head and bruised his ego.
It's just started to rain here and is quite breezy.
Enjoy your evening

[Bren In Pots]

Good to hear the wedding went well Flo, and i hope Himselfs recovered from his fall.

[Nicos]

Glad the wedding went well Flo…speedy recovery to your OHxx

Jay…that’s so funny!
I was sharing a book with my 4 yr old granddaughter the other day - on WhatsApp- and was running my finger under the words whilst I read them.. comment?… “It’s rude to point granny”

[Nicos]

*. Whispers incase the Bank Holiday peeps are still in the land of nod…

Morning n’alln’all
Time for a brew methinks!

My goodness…the rain and wind has gone…perfect for more gardening…but first, a few indoor jobs before I get grubby!

Enjoy your day peeps …and remember to share that lovely smile of yours!

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Its dry and breezy just now but rains due soon so that'll save me watering my seedlings. No plans today apart from some seed sowing and a stroll at some point.

enjoy your day

[bramble]

Good morning all. It's dull and breezy and a showery day forecast.
I will make the most of bring outdoors before the rain starts and then work in the greenhouse.
Have a good day all.

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Started out sunny, but clouding over now. Have a good day