in bloom.

Our crabapple tree has been in full bloom.  The scent is heavenly.  I wish there was some way I could share it with you.  Like a scratch and sniff...remember those?!

 

It won't be long and those pretty little flowers will become tiny little tart crabapples that will make super yummy jelly!  I absolutely love jelly making days!

The ornamental pear trees are in bloom too.  When the flowers are done blooming, they fall like snow, it is magical to walk under them while they sprinkle down on you.  This particular tree has been brimming with mocking birds, that flit about while I am on my early morning walk.

In the south azaleas are in full bloom this time of the year.  They are all over our property and so pretty to step outside and be surrounded by big bright pink azaleas bushes.  This is just a snippet and not in full bloom.  But it was on my walk to the mailbox, so I took a picture. 

jelly making day.

We have a happy crabapple tree that produces lots of tart little apples that make delicious jelly.  I am recording step by step instructions, with pictures for juicing. 

Rinse crabapples.

Chop crabapples, leaving 

stems, seeds, and skin on.

Fill pot and cover with water.  Bring to a rolling boil and then simmer for an hour.  Drain in colander catching juice in a large bowl, separating crabapples from juice.  

 Throw apple remains away.

Pour juice through thin cotton cloth to catch tiny residue.  There is probably a more proper cloth to use.  This is what I had on hand.  My towel is actually very clean, the center spot is the residue from the crabapple juice.  Also, I was alone and had to improvise, hence the large office clips.

Since I juiced the crabapples at night, and planned to make jelly the next day, I allowed the juice to cool, before refrigerating. 

crabapple jelly recipe

7 cups prepared crabapple juice

1 box of sure-jell 

9 cups of sugar 

sanitized jelly jars with lids

1.  Prepare fruit and juice.

2.  Measure exact amount of juice into large saucepan.  

3.  Measure exact amount of sugar in a separate bowl.

4.  Stir one box of Sure-Jell into juice.  Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.

5.  Stir in sugar quickly.  Return to full rolling and boil exactly one minute, stir constantly.  Remove from heat, skim off any foam.

6.  Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of the tops.  Wipe jar rims and threads.  Cover with two-piece lids.  Secure tightly, and turn upside down on counter (lined with a towel).  Leave upside down for 20 minutes.  Flip right side up and wait for lids to "pop".  After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger.  If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.

Let stand at room temp for 24 hours.  Store unopened jars of jelly in cool, dry, dark place up to one year.  Refrigerate open jelly up to three weeks.

* For the time being, I am enjoying the light amber glow of the jelly jars on my kitchen windowsill.  

crabapples

our garden may have tanked this year
but our crabapple tree is being most
generous with it's fruit

yesterday was my very first jelly making day - flying solo

I had only made jelly one other time - while being taught.
I felt like a nervous momma waiting for the jelly to set.
I had to laugh about Shann's recent jelly making 
experience ... I was the exact same way!
We now have 6 lovely jars of crabapple jelly
tucked away in our pantry, and that was from
only a few of the apples that fell to the ground.
I can not wait for the rest to let go of their branches.

Have you made jelly before?  Do you have a favorite?

handmade holidays

Thank you Kathy for hosting Handmade Holidays!
Here is one of the gift ideas that our family has
created for people we love.

Plus a little Christmas touch in our home, that I have created.

homemade jelly & homemade bread
(our family grinds the wheat for the bread-super delicious & very healthy)

here is an example of how some of our jellies have been given


I finished my Christmas table runner.
I used V and Co. tutorial for pinwheels found here.
(It is the same pinwheels I am using on a quilt that I am piecing right now.)

busy bee

Our local quilt club is having it's Christmas party on Saturday. I bagged 20 jars of my homemade jelly for their goody bags. Also, we pulled names and I purchased 2 quilting books - one for each name that Katie and I drew. My 16 year old daughter Katie joined our quilt club too!

There is a little competition at the party as well. Those interested are decorating an area of this lovely old home where the party is hosted. My little nook is on a small table. So I sewed a square table cloth and will place my items on top. I will be taking plenty of pictures, so please come back next week! These ladies are super creative and if I could get just a smidge of their sewing abilities to rub off of me ... I'd be on my way!

A splash of color in my kitchen.

I have little to no Christmas decorating done. Quite honestly, I am toning down. Not that I was ever over the top ... it is just the clutter drives me nuts. I would rather have a few things we love around us, than several things that mean nothing. On top of that my very favorite Aunt is coming next week and we are saving the decorating of our tree for when she is here! I have not celebrated Christmas with my family in over 10 years. I can't begin to tell you how much this means to me!!

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jars of jelly

pictured is my share of what
Honey, Donna, and I made yesterday

we have:
crabapple
blackberry
mayhaw (apple)
muscadine - 2 types
mixed berry
(what was left at the end of the day)