It’s the end of month 54, the end of October and the end of British Summer Time as our clocks went back last night. Waking up to a howling gale and lashing rain it certainly does feel like the door has closed on one season….and opened up on winter. Today I am taking stock, mentally, of all the food I’ve managed to produce this year and get stored and generally asking myself if I am ready for winter.
Month: October 2021
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: Garlic, Broad Beans & Optimism.
At this time of year all the big harvests have been done and the garden is quickly dying back and fading into a memory…….so it is always a delight to have one last sowing/planting session of the year. It’s time to plant some garlic and sow some broad beans……this simple act, especially when the sun comes out, always gives me so much joy and optimism.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: My tools & kit (part three). Plus my top ten!
In the last part of my little tools and kit series I am talking about all my long handled tools. Then I narrow down all the various tools and bits of kit I’ve talked about over the last couple of days to share what my top ten bits of kit/tools are………and even my top two…. Right at the end of the video I pay my cat tax with a bit more purr time.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: My garden tools and kit (part two).
Today I am continuing with my chat in the shed about all things garden tools and kit; in particular my small, hand tools and all the various pieces of kit I use in the course of planting a new vegetable garden each year. Then a summary of what I couldn’t do without/my must have bits.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: My garden tools and kit (part one).
It’s too windy for filming in the garden today so I’ve grabbed the opportunity for some shed time and a chat about all my garden tools and kit…….hopefully this little series (of three) videos will be just in time to give you ideas about what you may like to add to your Christmas wish list (if you do such a thing). Parts one and two will deal with all my hand tools plus accessory kit large and small.
On the Sofa: Ironing, sorting, clearing.
It’s another grotty autumn day which pins me at home……but that’s Ok…I have plenty to do. I have washed linens for the shop which need ironing and as I do so we can have a chat……starting with autumn/winter TV and feel-good family viewing……then my mind and chat wanders to the last stages of sorting out my Great Aunt’s affairs…….what to keep, what to let go of…..it’s all about ‘stuff’ and what ‘stuff’ is important………and makes me think about my own ‘stuff’. Garb a mug of hot chocolate….it’s a long one.
In the Kitchen: Plant based protein.
Today’s video is all about plant based protein……I’ll be chatting about various veggies and their protein content and later on talking about growing them (which ones are worth it, which give the best protein for the yield etc). I’m also showing an example of a full day’s plant based eating plan to give an example of how protein requirements can be met with simple meals for anyone who is thinking of having a plant based day from time-to-time. I also talk about how many plants I need to grow each year. It’s a long video as it’s chock full of info….you may want to grab a notebook and pencil. Please note: I am not a nutritionist……but I am a life-long vegetarian so this is me sharing what I have learned over the years. If you have specific medical needs you should consult a qualified practitioner.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: Crop ‘n’ Drop. Winter bed prep.
It’s the time of year when beds become empty and need tucking up for winter……and a few beds are emptied of one crop and prepped for another. It’s winter bed prep time. Here I talk about how I prep my beds for a follow on crop and how I prepare them for the winter if they are going to be fallow by using my crop ‘n’ drop technique.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: The Squash Harvest 2021!
Hurray for my favourite day of the year! I know it’s a favourite for some of you too…..the squash harvest! It doesn’t matter how many times I do it…I love it. All the colours and shapes and sizes and textures……these truly are a beautiful harvest to gather. They are a real staple for me too, as a self-reliant person……they will store for ages with no fuss, they’re versatile…..and they’re yumlicious to scoff.
Vivi’s Kitchen Garden: Potato harvest & tools.
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Yippee! It’s time to make like a pirate and dig up buried treasure! It’s one of my favourite harvests each year….I never know what I’ll get…..but I blooming love going down there to get it! I also have a wee chat about tools and general garden kit…….prompted by a bit of a fail in the garden recently…….which landed me on my back!
