Easy as Cherry Jam

Our Cherries and Essential Oils are 'in a Jam'.

We picked and pitted 50lbs of cherries in the last 3 days. I'm glad to say our counters are cherry free for the moment--unless they're in jars becoming wine, in pie, in bags as leathers, or canned as 'Tango Cherry Jam'. Having not yet tasted the wine, we can't know for sure until that's done, but so far the Tango Cherry Jam is by far the best result of our picking adventure. And I have to share.

Tango Cherry Jam by Schoolhouse Farm

• 5lbs Bing Cherries washed, pitted and mashed up.
• 2.5cups sugar
• 1 package Sure Gel Low Sugar Pectin
• 1 cup of water
• 10 drops Certified Pure Tangerine Essential Oil (ask us how you can get some free!)

Bring cherries to a simmer and add in 10 drops Tangerine Essential Oil.
In a separate pot mix water, sugar and pectin. Over the burner stir constantly until it comes to a boil, then allow to boil while mixing for 1 minute.

Quickly pour the pectin mixture over your cherries and stir in quickly and thoroughly. Pour into clean canning jars leaving 1/2inch headroom, cover and allow to sit on the counter over night or until set.
Store in the freezer or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Makes about 9 8oz jars.

on freshly made sourdough? perfection. I just captured our first wild caught sourdough culture (following the simple directions available in this book) since having moved in and it worked so well. Makes me wonder what took me so long, nothing beats warm bread with a generous layer of butter and homemade jam!

Busy as Bees

these are now ready for consumption through the winter.

Not having a lot in the way of spare moments to sit and type and share...summer is far from lazy! If we're not cooking up something to put in jars, we're visiting friends at the pool or traveling for celebrations, popping up tents to vend some sweet vintage goodies, or trying to think ahead to upcoming holidays, birthdays and schooling.

But, here I sit with a few photos to give an update in images.

toesies.

fish-tail braiding (among others)

she's been goggled.

recent harvests & the girls helping out.

And the winner of the Cedar Ring Circle giveaway will be announced on Wednesday--that means 1 more day to enter!

A-not so corny meal.

3 things will come together for the perfect fall meal. Only thing lacking? 67degree temps.

thing 1.) Drew made this deal...if I pick recipes & have the ingredients on hand he will prepare our dinners. I'm good at using things we already have, he enjoys actually putting it together. (he's NOT good at using what we have which makes for very expensive meals, & I DON'T enjoy putting it together which leads to a lot of spaghetti so this is a very good deal).

thing 2.)We've had some acorn squash kicking around from our garden for several weeks (mental image of squash with legs-heehee). We didn't know how to prepare it. Sure, you can cook it like most squash, but what OUGHT we do with it?

thing 3.) Martha Stewart is a general enemy of mine--she just makes me feel bad. (but, as my sister was complaining about her perfection the other day her husband started pointing out things like: divorce, jail time, failed reality show). If she'd stuck to her show when it was just segments on crafts/food/interesting things I wouldn't disapprove. But now she has deemed herself worthy to teach current popular icons like Snoop-Dog how to fold blintzes--okay maybe not blintzes--while trying to relate with them on some worthwhile level--can be painful to watch. BUT, somehow I get her Living magazine for free & so I pine over things I cannot have due to lack of funds or time. There are good & applicable things everywhere (not just what she has added to her "good thing" list) & so I spit out the bones. This month there is a ton on squashes of all varieties, a weak spot of mine.

Link these 3 things together & you get: Moroccan-Style Stuffed Acorn Squashes. I cannot find the recipe online anywhere, but here's a similar veg one, it looks tasty too. There are many Moroccan Style available, but this one uses bulgur wheat, ground meat, some raisins & of course the squash. There are some spices, etc, but over all a very simple recipe-unlike what I generally expect from Ms. Stewart & perfect for Drew, he loves a presentable meal. This one we'll keep.

there was only 1 small casuality, well 2. my hot-pads--sadly one of them from Bella Bee, I purchase it at the Bee Hive (which I mentioned here)

timely success

Here's what we've been up to...

harvesting tomatoes. We've had nearly 20-30 pounds per week. They seem to be literally coming out our ears

this means we've canned a lot. Here is a list of recipes for delicious tomato-y goodies.

Sauce Wonderful Salsa Fire Roasted Spicey Salsa

& I made the tomato pie I talked about in this post.

We were all pretty impressed. Having never eaten Tomato Pie before, we were all a little unsure but it's definitely going into the archive for future use & perfect with Old Mill of Guilford's perfectly creamy polenta. What would I change? I would soften the onions a tad by sauteeing a bit before mixing into the topping & I might decrease the temperature & bake just a smidge longer. It also took FAR longer than I think any reasonable meal should take, but there are measures you could take to fix that, like a made ahead crust, blanching the tomatoes to peel, having grated cheese on hand...ah, a life of convenience.

We've also been getting about 3 eggs a day & they're delicious. Naomi LOVES the collection process...& the peeling of those we hard boil. She made a discovery after letting 2 roll off the counter, "Mom! There are eggs in BOTH the eggs!"

Other things from the garden:

Acorn Squash

Zucchini

Bell Peppers (actually working this year!)

Pimiento peppers

Basil

Oregano

Rosemary

Flowers

Corn (sort of shotty, but entertaining)

Honey--about 4.5 gallons this year, hurrah!

*disclaimer. all these successes are entirely dependent on Drew. I haven't participated in this year's garden much. I only take credit for the Tomato Pie.