[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks, FF! That DOES look amazingly easy.

2026 is the year that I make even MORE things from scratch around here.

Busted out my new bread machine just today. :)

[FamiliarFace]

All you need is to not be rushed. It’s a great recipe for making ahead.

Early in the lockdowns, you may remember my family started a family food challenge. It was a way for us to interact weekly with something all of us love to do - cook, bake, mix things up, try new recipes. This recipe was my winner for homemade apple turnovers.

A few Christmases ago, I used this recipe for our Beef Wellington. It was second to none!

It’s super easy, and uses ingredients I know you have on hand. The reason I used it for the Beef Wellington was that the store had run out of it during Christmas. Thankfully, I already had the recipe in my back pocket, and I knew it would be great. The kids still talk about that meal from time to time.

[Qiviut]

I wrote a thank you note this morning to a friend who sent us a gift of her canned ‘Sweet Spiced Pickled Figs’ & Blueberry Lime Jam.

I LOVE pickled figs, one of my favorite things. We put them on our New Year’s charcuterie board when we had family for the day. They were a perfect addition & something out of the ordinary. We haven’t opened the jam yet, but I’m sure it will be delicious.

Meanwhile, I have been thinking about a fig bush & how to get one. Two figs (& I am sure there are more) are mentioned as hardy in zone 7: Chicago Hardy & Brown Turkey. I am connsidering buying a cutting rather than attempting to do it myself ... I don’t know if I will be back at the Old House at the proper time for taking a (Brown Turkey) cutting.

The big issue when I have a successful cutting is where to plant the fig. I have plenty of open ground that is south or southwest facing, but the fig would not be protected from the incessant wind. There are no micro climate spots like against a building. The more sun the better & against the barn wall is more northeast & not enough sun.

Anyway, lots to think about. Here’s a link with 2 videos on cuttings:

https://offthebeatenpathnursery.com/pages/rooting-fig-cuttings

Also fig tree care & instructions which I found very helpful - if in a pot the first 2 years, I could put it up against the garage which would be perfect (sun, micro climate), I just can’t permanently plant it there.

https://offthebeatenpathnursery.com/pages/fig-tree-care

Two items on my “Want to can one day list”: pickled figs & pickled watermelon rind.