Sunday Photos…Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion” Henry David Thoreau in Walden Pumpkins take center place when you think about fall here in the U.S., they cover everything from decoration to desert. Pumpkins store well and are such a wonderful addition to [...]

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Boost Your Immune System with Mushrooms

Since Kim talked about using garlic to help deal with a cold or flu I thought I’d talk about one of the things we do around here to boost our immune systems not only so we don’t get colds but also to help protect us against cancer and other baddies. Along with a healthy diet [...]

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Garlic Tea cure for the Common Cold?

As the cold and flu season is upon us I have done some research into ‘cures’ for the common cold. I have many herbal teas that we use when we’re sick…but I wanted something I could take at the very first symptoms of sickness to knock it out  before it became a full blown, week [...]

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Sunday Photos…The Colors of Fall

“Autumn is a second spring, where every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus I love this time of year, it seems like everything is bathed in a beautiful warm hue. Everything seems sunny and warm! ***

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Apple Cider

This year we’re making an extra effort to put up as much local food as possible while it’s at its peak ripeness. In most parts of the country, apples are in big demand. Orchards are packed and picked and farm stands are offering their very best. While my intention for apples was primarily to freeze, I [...]

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Moving On to Fall/Winter Vegetables

I’m just about finished with the tomatoes in the gardens at Chiot’s Run, the ones that remain are a mere shadow of their sun-ripened summer selves. They’re not as flavorful and just don’t satisfy the way a tomato warm from the sun does. So I’m saying “Goodbye” to the fresj tomato until next summer, most [...]

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Traveling Cheaply

Mr Chiots and I just got back from week in New England and we had a great time. Mr Chiots and I are frugal people, so we try to save money when we travel. I grew up in a frugal traveling family, we spent our vacation traveling the country visiting National Parks and camping along [...]

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Stay-cation or Local Natural Destinations

Not long ago the term ‘staycation’ was coined. It means to stay in your general location for short day trips or mini vacations. Planes are never involved or are passports or large pieces of luggage. It means staying close to home and spending less money and more time on the recreation activity and less time [...]

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Sunday Photos…It’s Almost Over

Canning season is nearing an end here at Chiot’s Run and I’m quite happy about it. I’m not a huge fan of canning, but I do it to preserve summer’s bounty. I’m happy the season is almost over as I’ll be able to have a clean kitchen once again. My dining room table will have [...]

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Pear Harvests

A few weeks ago we were elbows deep in fresh pears. Over a period of a week I prepared pear sauce, pear preserves, and canned pears. The nicest ones were kept for eating fresh, but I saved a few to poach for a simple seasonal dessert. 4 fresh pears, peeled with stem on. 1/4 cup [...]

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