I am busy with a new experiment, and that is to work out the best way to sun dry cherry tomatoes! I have done three batches so far, and found that the best way is to just halve them, sprinkle a wee bit of salt over, and put out in the sun.
But beware! There are a thousand eyes watching, and no sooner did I turn my back, or a very inquisitive little bird swooped down, and grabbed one! I stormed the culprit, waving my arms and shouting fit enough to put the fear of all hells into anything watching! Birdie then flew onto the fence, from where it sat watching me intently from bright black eyes. I spoke very seriously to this bird, but it just cocked its head from side to side, as if to say, "okay, I'm listening", but I knew that it would come back as soon as I turned my back.
I looked for something to put over the tomatoes, and found the right thing in a piece of chicken wire! Cheeky bird then flew away, I think a little bit disgusted! However, it wasn't long before I heard one heck of a lot of chirping, and ran out, to find a whole flock of Finches pecking away through the chicken wire! Again I put up one scary show of flailing arms and bad, bad noises, and they scattered and flew into the Chinese Willow tree, from where they watched my antics with great interest! Again I went away looking for something suitable, that would let the sun through, but keep the many food seekers out!
But the finches, after having had a good old discussion, had decided that the taste of the drying tomatoes were not to their liking, and left abruptly with a big noise!
I am also freezing a lot of tomatoes again. I just put them in a holder in the freezer as I pick them, and it works so well, as I had just finished the ones from the previous year! I just take a handfull out for a stew or a pasta when needed!
I am also trying out drying pumpkin. As I have this amazing crop, and not knowing whether it can be frozen, I think if I can get it right, I will have enough for the winter. Waiting to see the doctor at the clinic, a few women were discussing the different methods of drying the pumpkins, and I listened with big ears, and stored that welcome knowledge for future use. I think I have maybe killed off a whole lot of the moles, as there was very little activity during the last two days! Haleluja! If they are gone, my life would be just perfect, as the pigs, chickens, cows, and peacocks have never been able to frustrate me like this unseen horrors, who have destroyed a lot of shrubs, fruit trees, and of course my grape vine!
Had the most gorgeous sunset tonight!