Autumn 2013

[blueeyes]

Fabulous pics, Zigs and I love the rainbow. Autumn colors haven't quite hit here yet but I do have a few photos from last year I would love to share. The colors of autumn are a photographers dream.

By the way, this is not my home but I wish it was...lol

This photo I took last fall and added the quote. I thought it was a perfect match

 

[zigs]

Cor, brilliant colours there Blue

 

[zigs]

Today's Autumnal forage

 

[TheCrazyPlantLady]

Is that cranberries, zigs?

 

[blueeyes]

Cor, brilliant colours there Blue

Thanks so much Zigs...I love the colors of autumn and noticed a few leaves changing yesterday. I will have to get out there and start photographing "Autumn2013"

 

[Shellyann36]

Zigs is that goji berries in that second picture and rose hips in the third? You have had a wonderful bounty to pick from. You lucky man you! I can still not resist blackberries even after the picture of the ugly fellow!

 

[zigs]

Is that cranberries, zigs?

Hawthorn Berries, don't think we got Cranberries over here outside of supermarkets

 

[zigs]

Zigs is that goji berries in that second picture and rose hips in the third? You have had a wonderful bounty to pick from. You lucky man you! I can still not resist blackberries even after the picture of the ugly fellow!

Rosehips, blackberries and Honeysuckle in the second, rosehips again in the third, no Goji berries over here either.

There's a lot of stuff in the hedgerows at the moment, just had to borrow some more gallon bottles.

 

[Shellyann36]

Rosehips, blackberries and Honeysuckle in the second, rosehips again in the third, no Goji berries over here either.

There's a lot of stuff in the hedgerows at the moment, just had to borrow some more gallon bottles.

You are truly blessed to have this wonderful bounty. Here you rarely find anything growing wild anymore. It is a really sad situation. Do you pick the rosehips as well? I have heard of rosehip jelly or jam I believe and there are numerous medicinal purposes that they can be used for.

Hawthorn Berries, don't think we got Cranberries over here outside of supermarkets

Now what exactly do hawthorne berries taste like?

 

[zigs]

Most of the West Country is full of stuff in the hedgerows, not all easy to get to though You have to fight your way thru Nettles. Brambles, Ditches etc.

I do make Rosehip Syrup, packed with vitamin C for the winter. It got the UK thru the second world war, when the U boats were blockading us, we were in danger of getting Scurvy as no fresh fruit was getting thru. Kids & Housewives harvested tons of hips, the syrup was then distributed to all that needed it.

Hawthorn tastes a bit like Vanilla, really nice wine, but fiddly to make as you have to squash all the berries by hand

 

[Shellyann36]

Most of the West Country is full of stuff in the hedgerows, not all easy to get to though You have to fight your way thru Nettles. Brambles, Ditches etc.

I do make Rosehip Syrup, packed with vitamin C for the winter. It got the UK thru the second world war, when the U boats were blockading us, we were in danger of getting Scurvy as no fresh fruit was getting thru. Kids & Housewives harvested tons of hips, the syrup was then distributed to all that needed it.

Hawthorn tastes a bit like Vanilla, really nice wine, but fiddly to make as you have to squash all the berries by hand

I bet the hawthorn does make a nice wine. I am sure the berry crushing is tedious work but I bet well worth it. I was always told anything worth a hill of beans is always gonna be work!

I do so need to learn how to make the rosehip syrup. Do you care to share the recipe?

 

[zigs]

Copied my post from the other forum,

An excellent and tasty way of storing Vitamin C for the winter months.

Gathered half a kilo

Took the stems off & chopped them up

Get them into boiling water asap as the vitamin C starts breaking down as soon as they are chopped. As soon as it comes back to the boil turn off the heat and let stand for 15 mins.

Pour into a jelly bag & let drip, or squeeze if you don't mind it cloudy. This is to strain all the irritating hairs out.

Boiled the pulp up again & added 500grams of sugar.

Pour into sterilised bottles. Ready to drink as soon as its cooled.

I drink a couple of tablepoons a day in the winter, often stirred into a glass of milk.

 

[zigs]

In case you're wondering, that's Daughter Poppy's hands in the pic, I don't usually wear Nail Varnish

 

[Shellyann36]

In case you're wondering, that's Daughter Poppy's hands in the pic, I don't usually wear Nail Varnish

Thank you very much! Much easier than I was imagining!

 

[zigs]

No worries, make sure the hips are slightly soft before picking, if they are still hard then they're not quite ripe.