About $3.49

 

I Love Raspberries

During most of the year I purchase frozen ones and eat them with my Cheerios or Oatmeal.

Mr. Brown Socks and I decided to grow some of our own and our plants are now three years old and finally producing.  When we picked our first beautiful berries I was a little disappointed in the quantity.

 

 

 

Then I realized how pricey these little beauties are in the grocery store.  Looking at the ads it seems they normally run about $3.49 for those ity bitty containers…maybe a half pint.

 

If the growers have to put up with what we do, then I understand why raspberries are so pricey.  We have an invasion of Japanese Beetles.  Not wanting to use chemicals, I googled and found an easy way to get rid of these pests is to take a bucket of soapy water and brush them off the plants and let them drop into the mixture.  Yep!  Instant death.  Mr. Brown Socks and I go out each evening to perform our tasks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a few short weeks, I will enjoy fresh raspberries on a variety of cereals.

 

 

 

Taking a little tour out back, you will see other things growing nicely now that we are in to July.  For the first time ever we are growing sweet corn.  It should be ready in a week or two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomato plants in front of corn

 

 

I do believe we will be picking our first cucumbers by the weekend!  Love ‘em but my counter will be FULL of them in a couple of weeks.

 

Don’t you love my new hooks?  I enjoy looking at my geraniums from a hanging position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last of all, here is a picture of a potted plant on the shady part of my patio.  Normally I plant caladiums here but found this elephant ear for a change.

 

Impatients, a tiny fern, flat leaf parsley and coleus fill out the bottom of the pot.

 

Today I am playing along with Tootsie Time and her Flaunt Your Flowers meme.

 

 

It’s amazing to see what other people are growing all over creation!  Go take a look for yourself!

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I always appreciate your visit.

 

Donna

My Man Can(s)

Since I have been away quite a bit lately helping my mother recover from her fall, I try to spend some quality time with Mr. Brown Socks when I am back home.  He loves to garden and we eat, give away and Yes, even can or freeze some of our produce.

 

 

 

Just beyond the edge of our property before you step into the woods

 

Mr. Brown Socks has planted several Nanking Cherry Bushes. These are a small, sour cherry.

Have you ever heard of them?

 

I used to think they were pretty much worthless because they have a pit almost as big as the cherry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the third year of their growth and we have a bumper crop.

 

When Dear Husband suggested we make jelly I wasn’t enthused.  Being the good wife I am and realizing I have been away so much I went out and helped pick and pick and pick these little beauties. 

 

Aren’t they the prettiest shade of red you ever did see?

 

We cooked them up and turned them into jam. 

 

Does anyone else but us do things like this anymore??

 

Ummm, the last little bit was placed in the fridge to enjoy immediately on toast or pancakes.

 

We made two batches, so we will have some to give away.  This is the first batch.  The second batch we experimented and didn’t use quite as much sugar.  That is always a risk because often times it won’t set up.  It took a little longer, but after a couple of days it is also a pretty good consistency.

 

Sour Cherry Jam

 

3 lbs. sour cherries (about 4 cups)

7 cups sugar

6 oz. liquid fruit pectin

1 teaspoon almond extract (My suggestion ~~ double this for a very flavorful cherry jam!)

 

1.  Wash, stem, and pit cherries

2.  Chop them into small pieces

3.  Put fruit and sugar in a large saucepan.

4.  Boil hard for 1 minute

5.  Remove from heat and stir in liquid pectin

6.  Skim foam and add almond extract

7.  Put in jars and seal with hot lids.

8.  Some place in a hot water bath, but we live on the edge and do not!

 

I came home yesterday to his dishes NEATLY piled in the sink

And a creative way to dry the dishcloth from the dishes he DID wash!

Today I am joining Michael for Foodie Friday and Glenda at Tootsie Time.

     

 

 

I hope you’ll join these ladies.  There are always excellent recipes and inspiring gardens to view!

 

Nice for you to stop by!