I was contacted on Thursday last week by the lady who sold us Concord Grapes last year. As I left then, I told her to keep me in mind moving forward, as I'd always be happy to buy them from her. She remembered and sent a text to me. Handsome and I picked fifteen pounds of grapes up from her the same day.
I didn't want to make grape jam on Friday, because I knew I'd be on my feet at work and wanted to take it easy before I had to go in. Saturday after work, I spent much of the day resting with my leg elevated and on ice. I really was so happy to be back to work, but it's apparent I still need to take it easy for now.
So, yesterday was time to make jam so these gorgeous grapes wouldn't go bad (Handsome kept them safe in his air conditioned drum room). I began at noon by squeezing pulp out of the grapes and setting the skins into another bowl. It's not hard work, but it's tedious...one or two grapes at a time...for fifteen pounds. sigh
I prepared two double batches, cleaning up dishes (with Handsome's help) in between. In the end, I had fifteen half pint jars (one went into the fridge right away), and five pints. I also had a stove that looked like a jam bomb had gone off on it, and a floor to clean up from the bubbling jam. I had the last of my cleanup completed at 10:37 pm exactly.
I'd say that was a full day, and I did mention to Handsome that I wouldn't be making any more jam this year. I may, however contact my lady again to get more grapes to make juice. Or not. Today, I'm thinking "or not".
I have physical therapy this morning, and I'm taking the bridal brooch with me for Jenna. I'll see if I can't get her photo with it to share with you tomorrow. For now, I'd better close and get ready to leave. See you later!
Oh yum, looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy when you work.
Can't wait to see Jenna with her brooch,
Marilyn
Hi, dear Marilyn:
DeleteHandsome is my jam eater, and he really loves how fresh it tastes compared to store-bought. That alone makes it worth the work...well, almost. lol I'm going to really be a bum the rest of the week. I'm only going to do what I have to do, and spend time with needlework, too. Jenna is my next post.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
Wow - that's a lot of jam!! Certainly made for a long day in the kitchen and no doubt you were completely tuckered by the time 10:37 pm came around. What a sense of accomplishment though to see all those jars lined up.
ReplyDeleteHi MA:
DeleteI did 15 pounds last year, too, but this seemed more labor intensive than I remembered. I guess the knee made a bigger difference than I anticipated. sigh I labeled and put away the jars this morning, knowing some will be gifted, and you're right. I was a little chuffed to see them lined up like soldiers in the pantry. I have other canning projects on my list - but NOT this week! I'm going to play and rest instead.
Hugs,,
xoxo
Donna
Wow! That is a lot of grapey goodness! At 10:37 PM the last thing I would even want to consider would be touching another grape anytime in the near future... 🥴 It was very wise to pace yourself 😊 Eager to see Jenna's reaction to her beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteHi Lois:
DeleteYou're right. A LOT! I was ready to fall into bed when I was done, and I won't be even eating any of it for a while. No more grapes this year. I decided against juice, too. Jenna was so cute. When I said I'd like to take her photo with it, she said, "I'm so glad I'm having a good hair day." She's adorable.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
That sure sounded like a jolly good jam packed jam bombing day!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so satisfying to look at the beautiful jars after such a busy day.
Looking forward to Jenna's reaction.
Shirley
Shirley, dear, you couldn't be more right. I had jam splotches all over the floor, on the range, on the wall...sigh. I couldn't go to bed with a mess like that, so I completely cleaned everything before turning out the lights. I didn't even roll over in bed for hours. I'm sure there was nothing but a line of zzzzzzzz's coming from the bedroom. I put all the jars away this morning, quite pleased with the work, and vowing not to look at another grape (to can) for at least a year! Can't wait to share Jenna's photograph. She's a beautiful young woman - inside and out.
DeleteHugs,
xoxo
Donna