Ice Cream

ICE CREAM

We've had some gorgeous days lately and the desire for ice cream on a warm fall afternoon. However, since we are trying to go plastic free buying ice cream in a container (the most economical) is out since the paper containers are lined with plastic.  Yes, we can just go to the local ice cream store and purchase it in a cone, but I do like to bring a pint home to share. So, I have contacted our locally made ice cream store (SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington, MA) to find out if they will pack ice cream into a stainless steel pint container for me at the same price they sell their pre packed pints. I'll keep you posted. Please comment with any other ideas you have; but not making my own ice cream because that isn't going to happen. I'd go without or go with just buying a cone once in awhile.

IT'S FEELING LIKE FALL

I love fall! The smell of the air, the cool nights, leaves changing color, replanting my garden with fall veggies, and apples. Love the apples! Thanks to my neighbors trees, Rob and I picked 32 pounds of apples yesterday after cleaning up from our tag sale (fall is also a great time to clean out!).

This morning I opened with windows for that fall air while I peeled, cored, and cooked 24 pounds of apples into applesauce, just over 10 quarts. 5 got processed in the canner and the rest is in the crock pot bubbling away for apple butter, some of which will become Taylor's teacher gifts for the holiday's. The smell is divine!

SUMMER'S BOUNTY - HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

Can't beat $1 per pound for slightly overripe organic heirloom tomatoes (thanks to Taft Farms in Great Barrington, MA)! 15 pounds or so have been skinned and cooked down into wonderful marinara and are ready for the freezer in my Weck canning jars.

While the tomatoes simmered I took the opportunity to gather basil and parsley from the garden to make pesto and basil cubes (chopped basil in olive oil, frozen in ice cube trays).

Ahhh, yummmn...will be so nice this winter!