What have you been doing today?

[judydawn]

Still around and obviously getting around with your travels Gayle.  Thanks for popping in.  What do bay leaves deter and do they have to be fresh or can you use dried?

[Cuilidh]

I had much the same question, Judy.  Hope Gayle gets a chance to come back on and let us know.

[cookie1]

I've put bay leaves everywhere. I believe they deter silverfish and other critters.

[djinni373]

Cookie is right  Bay leaves are natural insect deterrents. Fleas and lice as well as moths and other assorted bugs that are attracted to flour, cereals, and chook nests don’t like bay leaves. The ants seem to have disappeared as well.
Fresh bay leaves Judy and Cuilidh.
I had always thought you should only cook with dried bay leaves until I read Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion. She uses fresh bay leaves in her recipes and now I use them too.
A bay tree will grow happily in a pot. Mine is in a half–barrel, is probably about 10 years old and is 1.5m tall.  Just make sure you have the right bay tree, ie Laurus nobilis, and not the cherry laurel (which is apparently safe but only in small quantities)

[judydawn]

Thanks for that information Gaye.  I did have one in a pot but it died all of a sudden!

[obbie]

we have 2 bay trees, great to just go pick leaves for cooking. 

[achookwoman]

At Cherokee we had a massive Bay tree. Put the fresh leaves in everything from custard to roast beef and Corned beef.  Thanks djinni, didn't know about the chook nests. Will do.
I have bought a miniature one to plant at Invermay.
When we had our Forum fest in WA, my gift was a small bag of herbs to put into your wardrobe. Bay leaves were part of the mix. As I wasn't allowed to take Bay leaves into WA, Halley supplied some from her garden. Several members assisted putting them in the bags.

[cookie1]

Unfortunately I don't have a Bay tree but a friend gives them to me and I freeze them. They stay fresh and are still good to use.

[astarra]

A bay tree is on my wish list 

Today I've cooked up a storm, then packed the lunches for the rest of the week, now stacked nicely in the outdoor fridge 
Only started it this term (pack four days of lunches on a Monday to last the rest of the week) - its a huge time saver ....wish I'd tried it earlier 

After that I've vacuumed the house, and remade the spare beds - had visitors last week, got another visitor coming Wed - Tues 
And just normal housework etc

[achookwoman]

Fed the chooks, one escaped I had to chase it to catch it. Quite a sight.
Cooked rice in TMX for Dinner. Stir fry veggies and Japanese Ginger Pork pan fried.
Crepes for Pud with maple syrup.

[Cuilidh]

Fed the chooks, one escaped I had to chase it to catch it. Quite a sight.

LOL 

[cookie1]

Astarra you are a star.
Chookie- a naughty chook.

[K Atie]

Bay leaves put in chook nests , what does this do ? Mine got out yesterday too , big gate opened , must be this weather . DH saw it open and forgot to let me know they greeted me at the back gate , lucky all there .

[cookie1]

I'm not sure but would it deter the stick fast things they sometimes get on their faces?

[judydawn]

I went to the movies tonight to see Hampshire with Diane Keaton, a nice movie.