Wednesday, September 8, 2010

TIME TO MAKE THE JAM

Monday's offering of picture perfect weather was the ideal opportunity to head to the berry patch. I enjoy berry picking, I find it soothing as well as satisfying. "The weight of the world just melts from ones shoulder's". It also gives me a feeling of connection to the pioneer women of long ago. The only hitch of the day, one orchard offered raspberries with no blueberries and another offered blueberries with no raspberries. So DH and I hit two local orchards. First stop, blueberries. We picked twelve pounds of berries in such a short period of time the bushes were "loaded" and the company few and far between. The conditions ideal, sun shining and a lovely breeze. The berries juicy, sweet and plump. Yes I admit I got a little carried away, but blueberries are my favorite (shhh...and my girl's). It is so rewarding to be able to whip up a fruit smoothie while a Northeaster is howling outside. The girls certainly enjoy a few berries sprinkled on their warm oatmeal during the winter months. Gotta keep my girl's happy and healthy-blueberries, nature's antioxidants. Next, raspberries. Not as abundant as the blueberries, but certainly worth the effort and oh so juicy and sweet. So, once back home I dusted off the canning kettle and set to work.
By the end of the day I had produced three batches of blueberry jam and one of raspberry. Future Christmas offerings for friends and family. Tomorrow I hope to make a favorite blueberry cake, the recipe found in Tasha Tudor's cookbook "Recipes and Reminiscences from Corgi Cottage." Many of Tasha's recipes call for a "farm fresh egg" and again so rewarding to be able to head out to the coop, grope under one of my girl's and snatch that fresh egg. Thanks girls. Berry picking, it's a good thing! If you have the opportunity head out and pick local!

10 comments:

Kim said...

Yumm, those berries look so good. They are my two favorites thrown on top of cereal (or ice cream).

Farm Girl said...

My favorite too, I love them both. The blue berries and the raspberries are just beautiful.

Verde Farm said...

Beautiful jam. Sounds like a great way to spend the day and the berries are lovely. Nothing like that fresh egg experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Amy

Anonymous said...

You have SO much energy.......your jams look wonderful! Lucky friends and family!I'm sure you'll be enjoying berries when the rest of us only have fond memories of them. Enjoy!
Cindy

JC said...

That does look good.

Gail said...

Terrific job! Nothing quite like fruit picked by your own hands.

Rural Rambler said...

Yummmm Jam! Now for some BUTTER and some biscuits or scones to all be happily eaten together! What is it about those little jars that just evoke all kinds of happy feelings in the tummy?!

Eve said...

That looks just like the canner I bought today Julie!! I'm ready for canning! Now....if only I had some fruit!!

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

MMMhhh berries! Your canning looks wonderful and the blueberry cake sounds so good. You'll be enjoying those tasty treats for quite awhile.

Tiff said...

Would you mind sharing the blueberry orchard and do you think they still have some, I thought the season had passed. I love blueberries and would love to go picking.
Thanks,
Tiff