Welcome 2014

Happy New Year everyone!
It's been a crazy start to the year for us as we welcomed the newest member of our human family at the end of November 2013.  Master D is now 8 weeks old and thriving.  Big sister has made some huge adjustments and is learning to share time with Mum and Dad with her brother.

We had a wonderful family Christmas with both hubby and my sides of the family joining us for a Potluck lunch which we ate in hubbies new workshop.  That way I could have the house to myself for feeding etc.  We did the same thing when Miss 6 was born and it was brilliant and proved to be this time as well.  We were all exhausted at the end of the day with so much talking, laughing and eating!

My garden that I had so carefully planted out in anticipation of the new arrival has been enjoyed by slugs and snails!  They even gobbled up my 4 courgette plants in one night!!  After watching River Cottage one night I tried Hugh's suggestion of cut oranges left out for the slugs.  I caught one which the chooks enjoyed and unfortunately created a lovely home for ants.  Oh dear....

I have been stocking up on reading material for my Kindle and one day when I have 5 minutes I intend to read some.

On my list are


I have taken up a Challenge on Facebook to get rid of 2014 things in 2014. I'm up to about 170 so a wee way to go but it is a good challenge for me and therapeutic having the odd 30 minute speed clean.

Making Medlar Liqueur

Having discovered a medlar tree at our new place I did some research on how to use them.  There is only so much jelly you can have so I looked into drinks. 
I found an easy recipe for Medlar Cordial here.

I also found a recipe for Medlar liqueur .  It's a Sally Wise recipe and I've heard good things about her recipes so decided to have a crack.
We already had vodka and sugar so that was easy.  When I saw some birds raiding the tree the other day I figured it was time.  Unfortunately I was a bit slow and only managed to get 430g non bird pecked fruit.  Still I have managed to make one large Agee preserving jar full, so for the next week I shake the jar daily, then leave for 6 months.

Update
The liqueur is delicious and very easy to drink!  So easy to make and well worth it.  Tastes fruity and dangerously non alcoholic too.
The best thing is the medlars are ready in late autumn so the liqueur is ready in time for Christmas.