Somewhere between jam and sauce

I made my first jam a few years ago when I got my allotment. It was quite an event with plenty of measuring and timing, pounds and pounds of fruit, a whole stack of sterilised jars and the proper wax circles and cellophane tops. I remember worrying that I didn't have a jam pan or a sugar thermometer. Each batch I made had a different consistency but every jar was delicious. I did get my jam pan, but as I became more experienced, I dropped the accurate measuring and the addition of pectin. I am now at such a relaxed jam making stage, that I just throw in whatever fruit I have that is ready to be picked with some sugar and simmer/ boil it until it looks about right. It is after all, the taste that matters and not the consistency and as there is no WI jam making competition to enter yet, I can simply please myself or let the occasion dictate. The children and I recently picked all the blackcurrants from our young bush, a few raspberries, a handful of strawberries and about 15 sour cherries to make three small jars of fabulous jam for our scones.

There is something rather special about cherries because they are not available all year round, cherry trees will just not be persuaded or coaxed into anything other than seasonal fruit. They really are a summer treat and possibly my favourite fruit. Cherries are such a glorious colour, I cannot look at my cherry tree laden with ripe cherries without smiling. Yesterday Charlie got his first school report and I am a real believer in praising and celebrating hard work at school. A love and a joy for learning combined with a sense of pride are gifts that will guide any child through life. And so as a celebration of Charlie's report, summer and my cherries, we had a barbecue followed by a delightful Eton Mess style pudding dressed in homemade cherry sauce.

Comments

Ridgeway Cottage Anyhow - How to add social media buttons to your blog

I know not everyone is excited by learning code and techie stuff but in my quest for website geekiness, this post is just one step closer. For all my lovely friends and family who do not care one hoot about what goes on behind the scenes of Ridgeway Cottage, here are some lovely photos of October life. (Those who do want to know about the buttons, social media and coding, please read on.) Social Media Buttons Anyhow You will need. Your blog open in layout The URL of your social media places you want to link to Some lovely pictures of social media icons that you would like to use as your buttons A photobucket account which you can easily open here A small understanding of how the coding works A rather large smattering of patience unless you are super clever at all techie stuff What social media icons are you going to use? You can find some very lovely ones by searching on the internet or there are some here, here , or here . I liked these...

Granny square Christmas

When I was younger I fell in love with the granny square blanket my Nan had made. It was in her tiny little Welsh cottage near the mountains and was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. So many colours and combinations of colours, it was just truly amazing. I'm not sure if it's the happy childhood memories or my ever increasing passion for crocheting, but granny squares (and doilies) are something I could fill me life with. Even more delightful are the variations on granny squares. Star burst blanket, which used to be my favourite, but I have recently had a go at African flowers. They are quick and easy to make and so very pretty. Thanks to the brilliant free pattern that I found here , I have managed to make a little crochet Christmas stocking made out of 16 1/2 motifs. I am happy with the how the little Christmas stocking turned out and am now rather fond of African flowers, star burst and granny squares, well actually, all...

The Pink Ladies

As we sat in our classroom inspired horseshoe, designed to encourage conversation, there was a slightly uneasy silence. Those of us who knew each other, stole furtive glances, others returned our smiles politely although they were not privy to the planning and discussion that had occurred in preparation for the evening. The time had slowed, 8pm seemed an age away. The silence was intermittently interspersed with brief attemps at small talk and the rants of a drunk outside on the city streets. The commanding presence of our WI advisor Dorothy, had the air of an experienced headmistress or well respected senior relative which in the event of such formalities made me feel foolish in my .....excitement. Some of us stifled giggles as advice was provided on the process, as we had already made the majority of our formal decisions but it was with noticeable nerves, that I raised my hand to the question of who wished to be President. So that's it, another new chapter has open...

Ridgeway Cottage anyhow

Search This Blog