Friday's Favorites

Lilac Jelly

4 cups lilac blossoms, green parts removed
4 cups boiling water
8 tablespoons lemon juice
2 packages powdered pectin
8 cups sugar

Rinse lilacs and place in a large glass or stainless steal container. Cover with boiling water, cover with a lid and let sit for 24 hours. This will make a nice lilac infusion which smells nice but doesn’t look anything like you would expect. It is murky and either greenish or brownish.

Strain the lilacs, squeezing out the excess water, and discard. Add lemon juice to the infusion, stir in pectin and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

Add the sugar all at once and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for one minute, skim and pour into jelly jars.

Process like you would any other jelly.

This recipe is a favorite over at Roscommon Acres, it happens to be one of my favorite blogs to read...check out some of the wonderful recipes they have for lilacs! http://roscommonacres.com/

Thursday's much needed rain

Well when I awoke today our temperature outside had dropped quite a bit from the 26C we had yesterday, it is 10C and although the weatherman called for sunshine all day long it is pouring rain out there.

I had lots planned to do out in the gardens today but now will have to put off until we get some sunshine.
I am sure not complaining of the rain, we need it so desperately, the average rainfall for last month is 68mm and we have had less than 27mm.

As I am writing this the rain has stopped and the sun is trying hard to peek through the clouds...I may get out in the gardens today yet!

What are your plans for the day today?

Windy Wednesday

Today it is very windy outside that even though it says it is 24C out there it feels cool enough to wear a jacket.
The little bit of rain we got and the sunshine has made alot of the lilacs bloom and the wind is carrying their sweet perfume into my home ...loving this day and praying for many more like it.

The Apple Of My Eye

Rainy Monday Morning

It is fantastic that we are getting some very much needed rain.
The birds are singing and taking baths in the moisture in the long grass, unfortunately the ground is so dry there are no puddles for them to bathe in.
The leaves on the trees are open and the buds on my lilacs are starting to pop!
I just love the springtime and all the beauty it brings...

Toybox

This morning I took the toybox a friend of mine made for me to Gretchen.
It was so sweet watching her climb in and play with her toys, it reminded me of when my boys used my hope chest for a toybox and would play in it for hours...
This toybox could double as her hope chest when she gets older if she wanted.
Our visit was alot of fun and I look forward to spending more time with her in the near future.

Saturday Outing

This morning my Mother and myself headed out to Campbellford and had quite an enjoyable day shopping together.
The rain held off until we got the trunk unpacked and everything brought into the house.
The rain sure is needed, after very little snow over the winter and almost no rain this past month.
I am looking forward to getting the garden turned and planted.
This year I promised myself to grow dill weed as I never seem to be able to find any when it is time to make pickles.
Anyone else like canning in the fall?