Spring

Finally it seems that Spring is in the air today.

I had promised to write the local limoncello recipe. Other sorts can also be made.

In the autumn I collected some licorice roots...or should I say DH did. 

Cleaned and put into alcool I have made licorice liquor. 

Here were the fresh roots.

 Lemoncello recipe:

Thin peel from about 10 fresh untreated lemons.
500ml alcool.
500g sugar.
700ml water.

Put the lemon peel into a jar with the alcool. Close tightly and leave for 10 days. 

Boil water with sugar. Bring to a rolling boil.
Leave to cool. 
When completely cold mix with the lemon. Filter and pour into bottles. Leave for about 10 days or more. 

The licorice has the same procedure using short lengths of clean root.

This is an old recipe used here for many years. Very strong! 

Goodbye for now with our first flowers!!

Camomilla / chamomile

It is May and the time has come to collect the Camomilla. A plant which grows wild here. 

There are various ways of drying and storing it, I tried the way an old lady, Comare Santa used to do it. Her son very kindly gathered it for me so I am sure they are the correct flowers.

The flowers are best picked in the late afternoon it seems. Rinsed and then quickly dried. Checking there are no insects. 

Then I shortened the stalks cleaning excess leaves and folded them in 3 into little "parcels", tying them with a piece of the stalk.

 Now they are in a basket near the window drying.

When properly dry I will store in a paper bag or in a glass jar. Not sure yet! 

Not bad for a first attempt. There are many uses for these flowers.

Such a beautiful smell in the house right now! 


We were down where the oranges grow recently. Still a few on the trees. I will be making some liquor with them soon!

Such an old abandoned house and watermill there, all overgrown with vegetation. Everything gathered around there is totally natural. No pesticides at all.

We do live in a beautiful place!