Weekly Garden Thread August 24-30, 2019

August 24, 2019 | Diana in Wisconsin/Greeneyes

[Diana in Wisconsin]

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.

This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.

It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.

NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!

[Liz]

This is closer to home-----an Apple Brandy Recipe developed by an accomplished Wisconsin farm woman who grows apples.

APPLE BRANDY

PREP BTB sugar and water; cook/stir dissolve sugar. Set offheat.

METHOD Place apples in large glass or plastic container; add sugar mixture, brandy, cloves and cinnamon stick. Cover/ steep at room temp at least two weeks; stir once a week. Strain; discard apples and spices. Pour into glass decanters. Place three cloves and one cinnamon stick in each bottle. Yield: 2 quarts.

Ingredients 4 cups sugar 2 cups water 4 pounds apples, sliced 1 liter brandy 3 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches) Additional whole cloves and cinnamon sticks

[Califreak]

https://natashaskitchen.com/russian-apple-kvas-recipe/

I made apple kvass before our apple tree died. It was pretty good.

I tried to make apple cider vinegar from peelings and it was a bust.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Sounds like a productive week!

You should post some pictures of your quilts. I can sew simple things and I like to crochet, but I just have never been good at quilting. I have ONE table runner that I made and it was SO much work.

I admire patient people, LOL!

[redhead]

thank you all!

[MomwithHope]

I used to tell people that when God handed out patience I must have stood in the line 5 times.
Here's just one, finished 6 total different ones since Wednesday. I'll let you figure out how.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Is that a quilt for a doll bed? If so, that’s a lot of small pieces to put together!

If not - I need new glasses! ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

That’s perfection!

[MomwithHope]

I knew you would get it. I make dollhouse quilts on the side 1"-1' scale. It's fun, creative and therapeutic too.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! You are a Saint!

And I got a LOT of use out of the Dollhouse my Grandpa built for me. It had a doorbell that worked! And lights!

He also made me an Ark on wheels and Grandma sewed two each of a dozen or so animals to live in it.

But, by far, my favorite was the year he made us girls Canopy Beds for our Barbie Dolls! I died and went to Heaven that Christmas!

All of those toys eventually went to my BFFs little girls who enjoyed them for years, too. I only had boys, so no interest in the dollhouse or fancy Barbie bed. ;)

[MomwithHope]

My house has lights and an outdoor greenhouse!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Can I bring my dollhouse people and come over for a play date? LOL!

I’m just happy that my REAL house has electricity...AND a greenhouse.

Speaking of which - it needs a good cleaning out so I can get ready to grow some Fall veggies in there.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

30.06

[Liz]

IMBIBER TIPS: Some used Christian Brothers’ Honey Brandy, a bit sweeter and mellower than C/B's regular brandy. The resulting liqueur was smooth with lovely hints of cinnamon and apple flavor and a deep amber color. It was very easy to drink even without the additional month of aging.

The regular brandy makes a slightly more astringent brew that benefits from aging but still wonderful.

Some used vodka.....a bit lighter in color with a more dominant apple taste but also a more pronounced presence of alcohol.

However, the real gift of this process was the brandy-soaked apples.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Oh, I’ll bet! They do make some lovely flavored Brandies these days. I like the idea of using the Honey Brandy.

I’ll keep that in mind when I get my batch started this fall. :)

[MomwithHope]

I have some nice pictures....somewhere. Right now it’s in the basement back room on a huge shelf with plastic covering it. Needs a good cleaning.

[Califreak]

The little stuff is the hardest.

Looks great!

[tubebender]

Wife unit and I went to our county fair Thursday and these quilts were by local quilter Deanna Durbin, world renown for her artsy work…

[tubebender]

These are not Quilts per see but perhaps tapestries ?

[Califreak]

Those are gorgeous!

There are so many talented quilters out there.

Some of their creations are truly breathtaking.

[Califreak]

Oh my gosh I just looked up Pat Durbin quilter and she has some gorgeous mosaic/landscape quilts!

Here's a landscape: