Smallholderific
@smallholderific.bsky.social
Our cottage smallholding. Fruit and veg, orchard, Light Sussex & hybrid chickens, Buff Orpington ducks, beekeeping, cats, foraging, home brewing, country wine, cider and juice making, preserving & cooking. Plan: + geese/pigs.
Who says roasting tins are just for Sundays?!
November 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Who says roasting tins are just for Sundays?!
Some people have cats with a laser-like focus on catching rodents. We seem to have a cat with similar focus on playing with whippy branches.
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Some people have cats with a laser-like focus on catching rodents. We seem to have a cat with similar focus on playing with whippy branches.
(Should probably have done it in demijohns from the off, rather than bucket, but hey ho.)
November 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
(Should probably have done it in demijohns from the off, rather than bucket, but hey ho.)
It's not bad at the moment. Didn't add tannin, we'll see how it comes out when done. It has gone quite dark: think excess headroom may have led to some oxygenation, but no obvious sherrying.
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
It's not bad at the moment. Didn't add tannin, we'll see how it comes out when done. It has gone quite dark: think excess headroom may have led to some oxygenation, but no obvious sherrying.
20 days on, and the cider is slightly belatedly into demijohns. Cider tastes fab, still fermenting slowly and now down to 1.010 SG: a whopping great drop of .060, so currently 8.15% abv with more to go... 😬🍏💪
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
20 days on, and the cider is slightly belatedly into demijohns. Cider tastes fab, still fermenting slowly and now down to 1.010 SG: a whopping great drop of .060, so currently 8.15% abv with more to go... 😬🍏💪
Enjoying following the excavations, and so glad you're making better progress than expected. Found the sleeping princess yet?
November 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Enjoying following the excavations, and so glad you're making better progress than expected. Found the sleeping princess yet?
They should get well watered in tonight/tomorrow so here's hoping for a flying start!
November 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
They should get well watered in tonight/tomorrow so here's hoping for a flying start!
Snuck a quick look at the bees too- all seems reasonably well and hives are all suitably weighty, ready for the cold months (although with midday temperatures of 16c(!) here, they were still out and about today.
November 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Snuck a quick look at the bees too- all seems reasonably well and hives are all suitably weighty, ready for the cold months (although with midday temperatures of 16c(!) here, they were still out and about today.
Reposted by Smallholderific
The remaining Aji Limon, which had been fermenting away, have now been processed (cough, cough, watering eyes etc) into a golden, seriously hot, sauce. Thankfully I had plenty of spare honey to balance out the heat, and cider vinegar to dilute to a more manageable spec! Tastes 👌
November 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The remaining Aji Limon, which had been fermenting away, have now been processed (cough, cough, watering eyes etc) into a golden, seriously hot, sauce. Thankfully I had plenty of spare honey to balance out the heat, and cider vinegar to dilute to a more manageable spec! Tastes 👌
The remaining Aji Limon, which had been fermenting away, have now been processed (cough, cough, watering eyes etc) into a golden, seriously hot, sauce. Thankfully I had plenty of spare honey to balance out the heat, and cider vinegar to dilute to a more manageable spec! Tastes 👌
November 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The remaining Aji Limon, which had been fermenting away, have now been processed (cough, cough, watering eyes etc) into a golden, seriously hot, sauce. Thankfully I had plenty of spare honey to balance out the heat, and cider vinegar to dilute to a more manageable spec! Tastes 👌
You don't want to be underdoing it and having to pick up some kind of inferior commercially made offering, just think of the £2.50 you'll save for a full hour's labour in making it... 😂
November 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
You don't want to be underdoing it and having to pick up some kind of inferior commercially made offering, just think of the £2.50 you'll save for a full hour's labour in making it... 😂
Ferment in jam jar, make small (additional?) batch of chilli sauce?
November 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Ferment in jam jar, make small (additional?) batch of chilli sauce?
Glad to hear it. The non-fermented fruit-based one I made this morning is very tasty so high hopes...
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Glad to hear it. The non-fermented fruit-based one I made this morning is very tasty so high hopes...
Nice. Never gone down road of indoor lighting rig myself, but why not have a constant supply of 🌶️ if you have the setup! Hoping my hot paper lantern plant might survive in the conservatory over winter though...
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Nice. Never gone down road of indoor lighting rig myself, but why not have a constant supply of 🌶️ if you have the setup! Hoping my hot paper lantern plant might survive in the conservatory over winter though...
Today's haul now processed into a rather pleasant fruity hot sauce with mustard, apples, vinegar, lime juice, ginger and a mango.
November 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Today's haul now processed into a rather pleasant fruity hot sauce with mustard, apples, vinegar, lime juice, ginger and a mango.