Wherever I have lived (if it was a house) there seemed to always be a Lilac Bush nearby. Most were tree like. We had one that was taller than the house, and was covered in white blooms. While we are down to only one here, it is a deep purple lilac. The blooms were late… Continue reading Canning Lilac Jelly
Category: Preserving
Handcrafted Maraschino Cherries
I came across the basis of this recipe for making these boozy cherries in Modern Pioneering. I adapted the recipe by making my own grenadine syrup, so I could avoid artificial coloring and corn syrup. The original recipe called for almond extract, I used vanilla to get around the food allergy issue in our home… Continue reading Handcrafted Maraschino Cherries
Drying Roses
Roses? Yes. I believe in the concept that unless a plant/tree produces an edible food for humans and/ or animals, it is a waste of space in my yards. It has been a long process to achieve my ideal and I am still working on it. One of the few plants to remain from the previous owner was rose-bushes, hidden… Continue reading Drying Roses
Canning Meyer Lemonade Concentrate
Two years ago I bought my first citrus tree, a Meyer Lemon Tree. It wasn't big (in a gallon pot), but I still dropped around $30 for it. Kirk rolled his eyes pretty good (not that you can blame him....). I kept it alive last winter by wrapping it in white frost fabric in my… Continue reading Canning Meyer Lemonade Concentrate
Apple Maple Butter
The Holidays are nearly over...do you have leftover apples? This is the perfect time to process them, while it's cooler outside and the days are short. Apple Maple Butter Ingredients: 7 pounds apples, preferably natural/feral or organically grown 1¼ cups pure maple syrup 6 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 2 large) ¼ cup filtered water… Continue reading Apple Maple Butter