Jam Making...

One of the highlights of last week was making Jam with my mum. The fruit was all hand-picked - the plums and apples were from our garden, and the Blackberries were from the hedgerows local to my parents. I must confess that I'm not really much of a baker, it's not something that really comes naturally, but I really rather enjoy making jam, especially because it means I get to spend lovely time with my mum and dad. 

 We made Plum Jam first, in two batches, this was the recipe from mum's old cook book "the Dairy Book of Home Cookery"...

Ingredients
1.4kg (3lb) washed plums
450ml (3/4 pint) water
1.4kg (3lb) granulated sugar

(It also says to add 15g of butter - apparently it's to remove the "scum" from the top, but we did't really have any so we left it out)

Method

Put Plums into saucepan and add water - we had already cut them up and removed the stones

Bring to the boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer gently until fruit is tender (about 15-20 mins, but I think we gave it a little bit longer than that)

Add sugar and stir until dissolved

Bring to the boil, and boil briskly or 10-15 mins (again I think we gave it a little bit longer) until setting point (we did the saucer test here)

Remove from heat (this is the point where you'd add your butter if you were going to)

Pot and cover - we did the usual sterilising thing here, wash the jars, pop in the oven to warm for about 20minutes.  

Next we made Blackberry and Apple Jam, this time from mum's Jam and Chutney book

Ingredients

1kg (2.2lbs) Blackberries (we were a tiny bit short of that, but it didn't make any difference)

750g apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks

1.5kg caster sugar (we used granulated and it was fine)

125ml water

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon (we left these out, and it's still yummy!)

Method

Place the apples and blackberries in the pan, add the water (it doesn't look like much but don't add any more, it's plenty) and simmer for 10mins until fruit is soft

Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. (Add the cinnamon and nutmeg now if you're going to) and boil for 20 minutes, stirring often until set (again, the saucer test works here)

Remove from heat, take off any scum and jar up. 

My Week...

My week started somewhat sadly, with the sudden departure of my dear budgies. They were about a year old when we adopted them, they came as a pair, they used to smooch and cuddle up together, so it seems fitting that they they passed within hours of each other, Kate first in the morning, and William in the afternoon (we didn't name them, but they came to live with us at the height of Royal Wedding fever...)after he had apparently sat over her little body all day and refused to let my poor husband take her away. It was so sad, and although they were really rather vocal and loved to spread their feathers everywhere, we miss them. 

The rest of the week improved somewhat, we picked Plums and Apples from our garden, and my dad and I went Brambling and found a huge hoard of Blackberries, so there's been jam making, which is one of my favourite Autumn activities! I love the idea of squirrelling things away to last through the long winter months. We had a little city adventure last night, popping along to Home in Manchester to Robert Newman's book launch. He's one of our all-time favourite comedians, and it was lovely to hear him read bits from his book "The Entirely Accurate Encyclopaedia of Evolution" and to have a little chat with him afterwards, such a thoroughly nice man. He even signed our books. Such a splendid evening, can't wait to read the book.

(The puppy isn't ours by the way, his name is Ozzy and he belongs to my dear friends, he is the most gorgeous little chap)

My Makings...

I've been a busy little maker-bee this week, full of ideas and inspiration. I had a very fabulous day out with one of my lovely friends for her birthday, so of course I needed a new brooch for the occasion. I quickly whipped up a pretty kilt-pin flower brooch which looks, if I do say so, rather splendid on my tweedy winter coat with my vintage-inspired flower brooch. 

 Embracing the chilly weather, I had a cosy day at home finishing my latest project, an Autumn inspired cushion, to remind me of the changing seasons and keep me feeling warm as the days get colder. 

I am planning some sock knitting time over the next few days, with second-sock syndrome holding me back with my current pair!

Makings...

The change of season and the autumny-wintery chill in the air is inspiring my makes this week. My granny squares are ever-more leafy coloured, and my fireplace in newly adorned with a string of crochet flowers and acorns. I found some lovely yarn in my stash and made myself a mossy-green crochet scarf for extra cosiness on my outside adventures. 

When the fire is lit and it's dark earlier and earlier I am happy to be cosy in our little home. 

My Readings - September

September has seen me settling into the cosy Autumnal routines of reading under blankets in front of the fire. I have enjoyed the long and sunny summer, but the arrival of chilly weather and the need for woollens always brings a little smile to my face.





My readings for September were -

• "The Quantity Theory of Insanity" by Will Self
• "The Vet's Daughter" by Barbara Comyns
• "I am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore