The above picture is of my garden. Not much going on yet. Right now I can look at it and see hope and promise. In a couple more months all I will be able to see is chores that need to be finished. Please ignore the long grass, we were letting it grow so that we could harvest dandelions. Ever since I first spied the cover of Joan E. Aller's cookbook, Cider Beans, Wild Greens and Dandelion Jelly, I have yearned to make a batch of dandelion jelly. Here's a picture of mine. Goodness! My windows are dirty! It never stops raining long enough to get them cleaned. And when it does, there's so many other jobs that need attention outside, washing windows gets moved down the list. Anyway, the flavor of the jelly was a pleasant surprise. It tastes like a mild lemony honey. It will be great in the winter with biscuits. As they say, summer in a jar.I lost a lot of comments in my past three posts from Blogger's snafu. Such a shame because the best thing about this blog is the "conversations" that we have back and forth via the comments posts. Unfortunately, some of the comments were from new commenters, that I was using to backtrack to their blogs. That's what I get from procrastinating about putting their blogs on my favorites list. When will I ever learn?
Speaking of procrastinating, after Erik and Erin's announcement I dragged my scrap bag out of the attic and started working on a postage stamp crib quilt that I began over twenty years ago! I might be a master of putting things off until tomorrow, but eventually I do finish my projects, even if it does take me two decades! I'm hoping that by posting this project, you will all help keep me on track by shaming me into finishing it.
No need for shame--my grandmother started a baby quilt when my mother was expecting me, but wasn't able to finish it; she pulled it out and finished it for me when I expecting my own baby! Still brings back lots of memories! You can see it here, if you'd like. http://www.avirtuouswoman.info/2009/08/trip-around-mountain-baby-quilt.html
ReplyDeleteI know they'll treasure it!
Thanks for the encouragement Charlene! I did go to your blog and have a look. It's beautiful! What a wonderful story about your grandmother's love. Hopefully my quilt will be as beloved. Been working on it all morning and have it 1/3 pieced!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It's good being a grandparent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol! The best thing about being a grandparent is that you get all of the fun and none of the work, unless you choose to do it!
ReplyDeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and your family; how fun! The world can always use another baby. :) The garden looks so neat and tidy; ours has lots of wild friends growing in it (which we can't bring ourselves to pull, knowing it's better for us than the things we're growing!).
Love,
Marqueta
Congratulations! What wonderful news! I am going to live vicariously through your grandbabies as it appears I will never have any... :)
ReplyDeleteQuilting again?? Post the farmer's quilt picture, won't you? I am not done with mine... This summer??
Dandelion jelly?? Yummers. Recipe??
Have a glorious day, Jane!
Hello Marqueta! You know that saying that a new baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. Enjoy your sweet family while you can (and I know that you do) It wasn't that long ago that I was a young mother reading to the boys under the tree and sewing costumes for playing dress-up, now they are all grown with homes of their own. Time is fleeting! Ha! My garden is full of weeds. The secret is to take a picture at a distance without a very good focus. Full of purslane. I always tell the kiddos that we will never starve as long as there's purslane in my backyard!
ReplyDeleteThank you Matty! Don't give up the ship yet! Erik is in his thirties and been married for four years. Seems the younger generation isn't in much of a hurry to start a family. I never finished that farmer's quilt. Got hung up on the sashing. The squares didn't turn out to be all the same size on mine (but that was probably me) Oh well! I probably won't get to it this year. Almost all the recipes on the internet are the same for the jelly. But since it tastes so much like honey, I wouldn't break my back picking all of those blossoms, if I were you. Not when I had lovely beehives to use.
Congratulations Jane! I'm so happy for you. What wonderful news. Be sure to let us know if the baby is a boy or girl, that is if your kids are announcing it beforehand. We had three little girls born into our family last year. I never knit so many little sweaters and bonnets at one time! Unfortunately I was never able to have children of my own, but I have lots of "adopted" nieces and nephews of all ages. I am so thankful for the children in my life. Each one gives me the gift of energy and innocent joy. My niece, who lived with us last year, has moved out on her own now, and we met for lunch yesterday. I just couldn't believe that this poised woman sitting across from the table, telling me about her new business, was the same little red haired baby girl I had baby sat and so lovingly toted around. It was almost surreal, because certainly I hadn't changed that much! :) Your garden is beautiful, it is growing and thriving! I have heard of dandelion jelly but never knew anyone who actually made it. It sounds delicious. I hope you have a nice afternoon ahead, until next time...Delisa :)
ReplyDelete"Adopted" grandparents and aunts and uncles are extremely important for those of us who never knew our relatives and/or don't have aunts, uncles, and/or cousins! My "adopted" relatives had a great positive impact on my quality of life as a child and teenager.
DeleteThank you Delisa! I'll be sure to pass your well wishes along to Erik and Erin. Can't wait to knit some cute little sweaters. I'd knit some for Tatti but she's such a sophisticated little girl, hand knit sweaters are not her look. But I did knit Barbie clothes and make a sock monkey for her. It's so sad that you were unable to have children. I'm certain you would have made a wonderful mother. But in my book anyone that loves and cherishes a child whether it be a niece or the little kid down the street, is a mother. Had to try making the jelly, but I don't know if I'll make it again, because it sure was hard on the back, picking all the dandelions!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm looking forward to those days, but in no rush at the same time...lol.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try dandelion jelly. I don't know anyone that makes it which means that I really need to just make some and try it...lol.
Hi Shara! Well when you have your children young you get to be a young grammy, which is nice. My paternal grandma was in her 70s when I was born and she was just too old to be much fun. The actual making of the jelly was easy-peasy but the picking and prepping of it was a lot of work. But as they say curiosity killed the cat, and I had to try it just to see what it was like. Looks pretty on the shelf with it's golden color.
ReplyDeleteHow delightful to find you! I love your blog. I love the idea of dandelion jelly and will definitely be harvesting.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your joyful news! I'm still waiting myself...
Blessings, Debbie
Thank you Debbie! You'll be pleasantly surprised with the jelly. When I told some friends that I was making it, they gave me the "are you kidding?" look, but everyone wants to sample it. I'm enjoying your blog also. Hope you settle our curiosity about your sneak peek soon!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! How exciting! Grandparenting will be a joy! Your garden looks beautiful- and the dandelion jelly sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you April! Grandbaby #1 just had her kindergarten entrance exam. What was she most excited about? That she was the only girl to wear a pretty dress. Sometimes the apple doesn't fall from the tree!
ReplyDeletePurslane is such a fine and nutritious food!
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