FRIDAY IS HERE AND THAT'S THAT. What shall I do today? Laundry is already taking place. Have more to wash. Ongoing. I wrapped up some small Nic-nacs and placed in a storage box. Not ready to get rid of these yet. May be later.
I will group some old magazines and tie some twine around them. Out of the house they will go. I really need to make a trip to the market. Making a list. Not sure what time I will go though. I like having my mornings to wake up, get groomed, eat, work on paperwork, get the day planned, do a few chores before heading out the door.
The dining room table will be completely cleared off so I can place dining room chairs on top of the table then cover up to prep for the painting. Long time in the coming. Celebrate! It happened.
I'd like to clear out the fridge and make room for more organic fruits and vegetables. I can pencil this in.
My afternoons are made better by getting out of the house for a few minutes. Get some fresh air and see some nature. The tulips are still in bloom. They will last about 10 more days then only the stems and leaves will be up.
When I was a child playing outside in the Spring, I'd hide behind the lilac bush that sheltered me in a corner of our yard. It was my childhood outdoors hideaway. Hours were spent there behind the bush where there was a very large tree and fence. Dirt to draw in. Talking to myself while playing in the dirt was part of my pleasant childhood. A place to get away from others and experience tranquility. I think I need one of those places now to help lower my blood pressure and rest my mind. A quiet place of my own away from town noise, automobiles and people.
Now the Lilacs are in BLOOM! My favorite bush. Absolutely LOVE them. Aromatic fragrance, soft colors and so pleasant to look at. We have one bush over at RETIREMENT COTTAGE. I will study to see how to take from the mother plant and transplant babies so eventually there will be a long hedge row in front of a fence eventually. In my mind's eye I can see a beautiful hedge in full bloom running along a backyard fence.
Maybe a dream, but dreams take place even at my old age. I wonder what I can make from the blossoms? Lilac Jelly? I'd like to try.
LILAC JELLY
- Yield: 4 cups
- Category: Jelly
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups packed lilac blossoms, no leaves, no stems
- 2 1/2 cups boiling water
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cups sugar
- One box Sure-jell powdered pectin (1.75 oz, or just over 4 tablespoons pectin)
INSTRUCTIONS
First, infuse the blossoms in the water to make a “lilac tea”.
Place the blossoms in a heat resistant container and pour the boiling water over. Allow them to steep 8 hours or overnight.
When ready to can, sterilize four 8-ounce jars or eight 4 ounce jars, keep hot. Heat lids and rings in hot water, keep warm but not boiling. Fill water bath canner and bring to boil.
Strain the flowers out of the water. Squeeze dry. You should have 2 1/4 cup of lilac infused water. Add more water if needed.
Place the flower infusion, lemon juice, and pectin in a large heavy bottom pot. Bring to a rolling boil.
Add sugar all at once, return to boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Skim foam if needed. Remove from heat.
Ladle jam into hot, sterilized jars leaving 1/4″ headspace. Wipe rims clean and screw on the lids.
Process for 10 minutes in water bath canner (add 1 minute for every 1,000 feet above sea level).
Remove jars from canner and allow to rest until cool. (I prefer overnight.) Remove rings, wipe any drips and label for storage.
Makes around 4 half pint jars or 8 – 4 ounce jars.
NOTES
I allowed the strained liquid to sit in the refrigerator overnight, and then poured it off carefully. This allowed some of the particles to settle out of the infusion, resulting in a clearer jelly.
https://www.brit.co/lilac-recipes/
CLOUDY OUTSIDE. Grey skies and colder temps this morning. Supposedly it's going to get a tad bit warmer throughout this day until we have SUMMER temps next week. Zoom from chilly to overly hot seems like the KANSAS way of doing things. If you don't like the weather wait 30 minutes and it will all change.
The MAILMAN just dropped a box off. Opened it and whalaaah it is one of the hardback books we ordered last week-end.
THE BIBLE CURE by Reginald Cherry, M.D. A renowned Physician uncovers the Bible's hidden health secrets. This particular book was published in 1998. I am stunned how fast time has flown and now in 2021 I want to read his book.
I am familiar with Dr. Cherry and trust him. He has retired and isn't as active as he was 20 years ago. I thumbed though the book and there's a recipe for Ezekiel Bread along with other recipes that I know will help change me into a healthier person.
Here's to HEALTH,
🏡d
