A productive preserving day!!!

After a nice breakfast of bacon, egg and tomatoes, cooked by my husband, started on some jam making.  Blackberry jelly to start with, but only made a jar and a half. 

Next it was damson jelly and this made quite a bit more, cooking these with water, straining the juice when cooked, then adding equal amount of sugar and cooking till set. Made quite a lot more this time. Let's hope it tastes nice and tart! Lovely on buttery toast or nice new bread!

Then we both pricked sloes (to release the juices) and put in a large glass sweet jar, then layered with sugar and then finally covered with gin, gave it a stir and screwed the lid down tight. Then into a dark place to wait for the juices to mingle with the gin and the sugar to dissolve.  Hey presto  -  in about 3 months - sloe gin!

 

Our hazel nuts are ripening away now, we did have some in the garden but the squirrels ate the lot, still as they planted them in the first place I expect they should get first choice!  These we picked on a walk down a country track in Cobham the other day.

My lovely orchid has had seven flowers this year, so let's hope I can look after it till next year!  I bought one the other day which was being sold off as it looked a bit sorry for itself, so I got it for a song. A larger white variety with 3 flowers.  I've watered it and drained it and it's now on the windowsill and looking more happier I hope!  We shall see....