The Cottage Smallholder

Thanks ladies I did wonder if it might be bland or just taste like apple sauce, I think I'll stick to chutney

I have made lots of apple jelly in the past with various herbs and chilli but can only use so much of it ourselves and it hasn't proved all that popular to sell. We did an Indoor table sale last Saturday which had a very poor turnout as weather had turned bitterly cold, and although the jam and jelly sold quite well the herb ones didn't.

Thanks for your feedback - always helpful and nice to get.

I'm still looking for those pesky quinces

Hope you have a great weekend

 Martin

Thanks - I was just wondering what flavour of apple/pear combo might be or apple or pear on their own, as not done it before. Sorry I should have put that in opening post.

I often use apple in with other fruit if I need to add some pectin or if main fruit is not quite enough. Pantry has lots of Blackberry & Apple, Raspberry & Apple, Hedgerow Jelly (yep you guessed with apple)  and hubby has a soft spot for conference pears and bought a couple of kilos the other day (as so cheap) without realising that half of them will probably go soft before we get through them. I have decided to cook half for now and make a cake  

Also got lots of apples to use after friends gave us quite a lot but they are in garage at present.

If only my wretched back would hurry up and right itself, I have so much to do

Thanks Janet

I have a small rescue doggy who doesn't know the meaning of 'rest' so its not easy but in past it has helped me if I keep moving but this time it's not working. I started to get a bit panicky yesterday as it's now been 3 weeks and no sign of it easing up so popped up to Doctor to check I didn't have a kidney infection as pain in lower back is constant and I feel rubbish. Much to my surprise he informs me that according to the report from the consultant (going back quite a while) I have 2 areas in my spine which show slight bulging discs - no one ever told me that before. I was told the scan didn't show anything apart from mild wear & tear and a little bit of arthritis but nothing abnormal for my age. I also have slight scoliosis in the spine - again nothing major but still never been told this. I suppose I should have been happy that I didn't have an infection  Why they didn't tell me any of this at the time is beyond me but for all this time I have been wondering what on earth is it that causes my back to go into these awful spasms for weeks at a time.

Hubby is helping with the boring chutney prep this morning and all his shirts have been ironed at the cleaners so there is an upside to the back problem  

I better get off my bum as sitting is painful so I have to limit myself on here and keep moving about