I was working
away at my desk and noticed something going on in the tree outside my window.
The squirrels can’t hide as well now that the leaves are gone.
This guy was not only scoping the yard out but he was sniffing the air.
He could probably
smell the remaining plums that were turning to brandy right there on the
branches.
This summer has
been a good one for gardening and farming.
We’ve had bumper crops of all kinds, our plum tree included. DH and I picked and picked and after we ate
all we dared we made plum jam, plum jelly, plum fruit leather, plum juice,
dried plums and frozen plums. I carried
bags of plums around to the neighbors until they started closing the curtains
and pretending they weren’t home when they saw me coming.
Finally we just
gave up and left the rest for the animals.
They have been
doing their best to clean them up but there are still plenty.
The starlings, chickadees and woodpeckers have stopped by for a meal. This flicker was really enjoying the treat but flew to the power pole when I went for my camera. There is still purple goo on his beak.
Today I brought out some frozen plums and chopped them up to make this recipe:
It’s called plum
pudding but since there are only three of us in this house and none of us need
a lot of sweets I made the batter into cupcakes. That way I can freeze some for
later. I also changed the granulated
sugar to brown sugar and decreased the amount to a half cup.
I only put nuts
in half of them since Beavis doesn't care for walnuts.
We decided they are plenty yummy even without the caramel sauce.
I’m also excited
about my success with yogurt making. It
is surprisingly uncomplicated. Since our
house isn't real warm this time of year I made an incubator out of a small
cooler and jars of hot water. This
set-up also works great for keeping small batches of rising bread dough warm.
14 comments:
Yogurt is like a gift, isn't it. The first time I offered it to my mom, back in the sixties, she turned it down. Too expensive. I don't know who force fed her the first carton, but fast forward a few years and mom had turned into a yogurt factory. I even bought her a little incubator, six little glasses with lids that fit into an electric warming tray.
Yum for plums, too. And that's from the squirrel and the flicker, too.
I would have the door open and the kettle on if you came offering plums!!!
Over here, we don't have the same requirements for when yoghurt is being made - I have a wide-mouthed thermos that I am about to unearth to make some. I haven't done so for years, but bought some milk powder last week just for that purpose.
What delightful photos and catalogue of resourceful plum processing. Plums are most ubiquitous and challenge our creativity. Your kitchen must smell like it's halfway between Utopian orchards and Heaven.
Do the birds and squirrels ever get a bit loopy from the fermented plums?
Plums are my favorite fruit!! Can I live at your house?
Mr squirrel looks quite pleased with himself! All those delicious plums. The cupcakes look delicious!
What? No prunes?
Oh I have a yogurt maker and I have never used it I should really try it especially if it is easy I like easy. I wish I had a delicious plum tree like that want to trade for some black walnuts?:) Hug B
OMG caramel sauce on those beauties....I can smell it, I can taste it....darn now I have to go bake something.
Brilliant photos of the squirrel. You could try making plum gin .....
I have used the top of the water heater for yoghurt making but then Mr. Man got all modern and energy smart on me and now we have an ascot heater thing. The recipe looks yummy, again , none for Mr. Man...our plums were pitiful this year. Great rodent shots! Plump!
I love that shot of the squirrel sniffing the air!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Great capture of squirrel and bird, Leenie. The squirrels here are going gaga for the black walnuts and the cardinals are decimating the yew berries. I don't mind, but the bright red berry caps do make the shrubs look so festive!
I do the same thing - make muffins out of traditional quick bread recipes because it's so easy to handle. And I'm intrigued by the yogurt making. I might have to try that as it's one of my favorite things.
I'm jealous! Fruit growing around here is fraught with problems---namely the lack of rain and the extremely high temperatures. One day I'll live where I can have fruit trees again. Then my neighbors will live in fear of me, as do yours. :)
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