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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Blowing in the Breeze

It has been such lovely weather lately, nice and warm with a gentle breeze.  Just the right kind of weather to wash a quilt, I thought.  I have several quilts to use for our bed, and like to change them around from time to time.  Off came one, and I thought it was starting to look a little grubby.  We can’t have that, can we, so into the machine it went.  On a gentle wool cycle – I hasten to add, and then hung out in the gentle breeze.

P1210127 Fresh and clean again

I’ve been busy in the kitchen too, and several weeks ago I purchased a whole lot of locally grown strawberries to make some jam.  But it didn’t set very well at all, and I wondered what on earth I was going to do with my jars of runny jam.  Seems that soft fruit jam needs some extra pectin added.  Then I discovered some packets of Hansells Jam Setting Mix in the supermarket.  On the back of the packet was instructions for “jam that has not set”.  All my runny jam was poured into my preserving pan, in went a packet of the magic mix, and the jam was re-boiled for 5 minutes while my jars were washed and reheated.

P2140024 What to do with strawberry jam that didn’t set

Then the jam was ladled back into the jars, and sealed.  That looks better, not so runny this time.    Success at last.    Hopefully I will be able to buy some Omega plums soon and make a  batch of yummy plum jam with them.   There is something quite satisfying in making home made jam, I feel.

P2140029 I love home made jam!

3 comments:

MrsC (Maryanne) said...

Oh you are patient! I've never made jam in my life but I do remember that strawberries are a terror for not setting and some people add a few apples, not just to pad it out but also for the pectin. It's nice to see such products are still avilable :)

Nancy J said...

Yummy, and better to be runny than rock hard and almost burnt, Love the quilt, " Blowin' in the Wind".

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

That quilt is spectacular and so pretty in the sunshine. What a treat for my eyes here surrounded by endless fields of white. And your jam looks yummy.