Tablescapes, Home Decor, Thrifting, Cooking

Monday, July 18, 2011

Beautiful Red Cherries

 

Our garden has been pathetic this summer, both flowers and vegetables.

 

 

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The one thing we have had a bumper crop from is our Nanking Bush Cherries

 

 

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Aren’t they pretty as a picture?

 

 

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Nature is nothing less than amazing…Beauty in so many forms.

 

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Now Mr. Brown Socks is not one to cook or be caught in the kitchen unless he is making a plate of nauchos or possibly stirring up some hot salsa with his garden peppers….

 

BUT one thing he does like to do is can with me!

Isn’t that surprising?  I think it must remind him of his Mama or Grandmother.

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He couldn’t wait to get into the kitchen and start preparing juice for our Cherry Jelly.

 

This is an old press from my Mother’s basement he used to extract the juice to prepare the jelly.

We always have a system where he prepares the fruit juice

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And I mix up the juices with the sugar.

He always wants me to use less sugar but anyone who makes jelly knows you can’t mess with the sugar and juice amounts too much or your jelly won’t set up.

Recently I discovered the Sure jell in the pink box which calls for quite a bit less sugar.

The jelly was thinner than the traditional method but not too runny.

 

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There isn’t anything more old fashioned than canning jelly, do you think?

 

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I’ll let you in on our secret ingredient which makes a huge difference.

 

ALMOND EXTRACT!

 

It totally enhances the cherry flavor and makes it spoon lickin’ good!!

 

 

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Now some people go on long, romantic vacations with their husbands

or dance on a moon lit beach….

 

I make jelly with my husband!

 

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Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Donna

11 comments:

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

I'm jealous of the jelly and getting your hubby to help you with it. Mine wouldn't be caught dead helping me can! I do love making jelly though. There really is nothing like homemade jelly. Your cherries look great!

Terri Steffes said...

Donna, our garden has been pathetic too, with all the heat. I love the jelly, I just made some quick peach spread with some peaches I got from the farmer's market. I ate a bunch first, though!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

The cherries look great in both forms. Kudos to the hubby for helping you!!!

Doris said...

My Mom had a press just like that! Your cherries look wonderful as does the jelly!

Miss Char said...

Donna, I've never seen cherries that grow on bushes, you've enlightened me today. I love the juice press, what a wonderful old piece and there is nothing like the pretty jars of jams and jellies lined up on the counter.

Jane said...

Hi Donna,
I'm glad you have a partner to help can all that jelly...it sounds delicious.
I have never done any canning and I really enjoyed reading (and viewing) all the steps. Now, go enjoy that jelly!!
Jane

stitching under oaks said...

I can smell the sweetness from here. What fun you are having. Hope all your people are well and doing good! Great catching up with you...have a great week friend!

Unknown said...

Mmmm...what I wouldn't give for a piece of toast with some of that jelly.

Sue said...

Lucky you to have the cherries! I remember fresh cherry pies and jams from our tree at home. We used to shoo the birds out of the tree so they wouldn't wreck our crop! Now you have me craving cherry jelly! :-)
~ Sue

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

It looks like you have lots of fun doing the can-can with your husband! My husband is also helpful when it comes to canning! He breaks everything out for me and will gladly pick up anything I forget at the market . . . because he loves the end result!

Have a wonderful day!

Room to Inspire said...

Looks delicious - I wish my garden was as lucky as yours!

Chelsea