Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Oranges

We are having our family gathering New Year's Eve.  It was the time that worked best for all of us.  So yesterday evening I decided it was time to start some of the fixing and doing.

I have made these in the past and they were wonderful!  I thought it was time to make them again.







I wasn't willing to just toss the ends.  I could have dried them for tea but it's Christmas so I thought something more festive was in order.

Candied Orange Peel




Peel your citrus and cut into strips.  I like about 1/4".
Put in a sauce pan and cover with water bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.
(this removes any bitterness in the rind)
Drain
Make a simple syrup of 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar.  Place over med-high heat and stir to dissolve the sugar.  Add the citrus rind and cook until translucent (about 10 minutes).
Drain 
(reserving the syrup it's infused with the wonderful citrus flavor use it elsewhere)

Put the peel on a rack to drain and dry to tacky, roll in sugar and lay on parchment or a rack to dry completely.  When dry store in an air tight container.

This is absolutely wonderful!!!



Happy New Year!
a little bird



Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Canning Potatoes

Photo by Mick Telkamp


We were given a large bag of potatoes in early November.  We have eaten potatoes, we have shared potatoes and there was still a good amount of potatoes in the bag.

Reds don't store as well as russets so it was time to do something with them or loose them.  Today was the day.  Honestly I thought the job would be monumental - but in truth it wasn't.

I washed the potatoes, peeled them, chunked them into  ascorbic acid and water solution to prevent darkening, boiled them for 10 minutes and then packed them in my quart jars and pressured canned them for 40 minutes.  How to home can potatoes.

I have 2 canners  full, 14 quarts, and enough for supper tonight left over.  I think that worked out well.  Now we'll be able to continue to enjoy those beautiful potatoes gifted to us through the winter.



Sunday, December 27, 2015

Lemon Cream

This just looks wonderful. I think I need to try this today. It is very cold here -3 this morning and I think a high of 10 so this would be a good day.


 

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Thankful for Family


I am just back home from the airport.

My mom flew out two weeks ago to join us for Thanksgiving.  It had been 2 or 3 years since she had been here. (Neither of us could remember which)
Of course DH and I have gone back but mom hadn't been this way which meant she hadn't seen the little ones.

We had a lovely visit.
Our sons and their families were able to come and spend time here and we packed grandma up and took her out and about too.

I'm thankful for my dear sister that took her to the airport and today will be picking her up when her flight arrives and deliver her safely back home. 

Mom's flight was early this morning so she and I went up yesterday and got a room.  Went out to dinner and did some Christmas shopping for the little girls from her.  Now there will be no mailing.

I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and that you have much to be thankful for too.
a little bird


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