kitchen and garden (where does one end and the other begin?)

Last night I had my very first go at preserving (canning)

I did some pears. I was pleased to learn that sugar isn't necessary to preserve them and they can be in just straight water. I used some lemon juice to ensure they had enough acidity for the water bath sterilisation method and a little honey for flavour. When I went to use my new (to me) pot I realised that it was so big it didn't fit on the biggest hotplate on our stove. Benny's dad suggested putting it half on two hotplates to speed it up which worked great. Being that it was my first ever go I plan on opening them soon just in case I didn't get it quite right. Pears and custard on the weekend Dad?

Here's my brekkie salad from the garden this morning. I cant wait for tomatoes and cucumbers to add!

Ive got about 20 tomato plants in at the moment and I'm wondering how many plants people usually have if they want to preserve enough for over winter.

Not that I could squeeze too many more in my little garden but just to get a bit of an idea about how much I might get and how many jars I might need.

This tomato was a winter one. I was quite amazed to have tomato plants in the garden over winter!

 It didn't do much when the weather was cold but now that were getting a little warmth its thriving so we should have some early tomatoes not too far away. mmm, I can almost smell the delicious tomatoes!

The day after Oma asked for some broad beans I noticed the first flower so Oma, your broad beans aren't too far away either!

My apple peeler, corer, slicer had a broken handle so Benny surprised me with a new and improved stainless steel handle that he made at work.

with all the apple peels and cores (as you can see, apples have been especially popular around here lately) I've started some vinegar

Lately I've been doing some woodworking.

Ive been working on the play stands each time I visit my dads shed and there coming along nicely but last time I decided to have a go at some chopping/snack boards for the day care children.

You see a while ago when i was ridding my kitchen of plastic i got rid of the children's plates. I can be a bit 'ruthlessly efficient' in donating things we don't need, to the point that some times i get rid of things I kind of do need!

So these are used in place of plates now. The idea came from Melanie of Our Ash Grove a few weeks ago.

I made one to represent each of our animals

(a rabbit, cat and chicken)

and then a random sheep because its what I thought of at the time

 Dad showed me how to use his edge trimmer to round the edges. Now that i know how to use it I will definitely use it again, it gives such a nice soft finish.

I planned on adding faces with my wood burner when I un pack it but now after seeing the children's way of adding faces I think there perfect just as they are