Rose Vintage

A Bed of Roses

There are a few things bugging me at the moment. Our hayfield above is one of them! Usually by this time of year, the hay is cut, baled and in the barn but not this year. This means that we have not had 5 clear days of sunshine for haymaking. But you know I consider myself lucky only to have this to worry about when I hear all the awful stories of flooding in Sheffield and surrounding areas.

I have always considered my blog a form of escapisim and just recently I have wondered if this is really how it should be? The definition of weblog is 'an online diary' so should it reflect everything that goes on in my life? Maybe.The temptation is to portray a wonderful life even if this is not how life really is. A couple of my favourite blogs have recently posted about issues that are affecting them. One regular has sadly admitted that her long term relationship is over and that she has to give up a home that she has created and make a new life for herself and her children. Another witty,creative girl has to come to terms with how best to help her beloved child. Heartbreaking stuff, all of it. It made me wonder just how many of us would have been brave enough to post about it?  The breakup I can certainly identify with having been through the same situation myself and it was with some sadness that I read that this blogger would not be posting for awhile as life was just too awful. I know I felt just on this side of sanity most of the time during my breakup and I think had I had the support of the blogging community I might have felt a lot more human. When I posted recently about the menopause, the support I received was incredible and I really felt I was not going it alone. Hopefully we will hear more from this blogger, if only to offer her the ongoing support that might just make an awful time, bearable...

It also struck me afresh just last night how wonderful the creative blogging community is. I was having a  telephone conversation with Sue about embroidery threads. I have never met Sue but we were able to have a very easy conversation not just because we have similar interests but because I was able to ask after her mum and about her daughters wedding, all details that had been revealed on her blog. I came off the phone feeling like I had known Sue for ages! 

This is my latest embroidery project, it will be a cushion once I have sewn it up properly, hence the edited picture! One good reason for buying more threads! Thanks Sue!

I love Strawberry Jam

We have had a glut of strawberries in the veggie patch this year, down to the fact that we put up a fruit cage at the end of last season. It has made such a difference to the quantities of fruit that we are picking. The redcurrants are nearly ready and the raspberries are well on the way! Faced with such a lot of strawberries I thought I would make some jam. I've never had much luck with strawberry, much preferring the easier to make( I thought ) raspberry jam. I always found myself fiddling around with lemons trying to get the pectin levels right only to be disappointed by the end result. Usually a thin red liquid that would not set! Well no more! I bought some jam sugar, followed the very simple recipe on the back of the packet and ' Bob's your uncle' as they say. Lovely thick, scrummy strawberry jam.

And yes I know that the label has oranges on it but I've run out of the strawberry ones! So if you want an easy jam recipe care of Mr Tate and Mr Lyle I suggest that you buy yourself some jam sugar at your local shop, it took me all of half an hour to make from start to finish! I also like the fact that there is an element of recycling in the process in that I am using all my old jars collected throughout the year. Also I did not have to buy my strawberries and they were not sprayed with any chemicals. Bliss!

I recently bought this eiderdown from Clare's lovely shop Vintage Home.  I have been searching for an eiderdown just like this for such a long time and finally it's mine! Well sort of, as you can see Neville has taken quite a fancy to it!!

Edit to this post

For Marie

Strawberry jam recipe

1 kg/2.lbs Strawberries fresh or frozen

1kg/2.2lbs Tate and Lyle Jam Sugar

Method

1. Hull and wash the strawberries and drain well.

2. Put in a preserving pan and and mash or crush.

3. If using frozen fruit they will be soft when thawed anyway.

4. Add the Tate and Lyle Jam Sugar and stir until dissolved, then bring to the boil.

5. When a vigorous boil is achieved ( rises and cannot be stirred down), boil for at least a further 4 minutes until setting point is reached. If using a jam thermometer boiling temperature is 105 C /220 F. (Have to confess I never use one!)

6. Test for a set by putting a little jam on a cold saucer or plate ( I left mine in the freezer for 5 mins) allow to cool then push a finger gently through the jam. If the surface of the jam wrinkles, setting point has been reached. I tend to go away and leave it for a couple of mins then check the set as I often find I think it isn't ready, boil it all up again and get a hard jam - not nice! Also remove the jam from the heat while you are testing so you don't overboil the jam!

7. Remove from the heat, skim off any scum. Leave to stand for 15-20 mins. Stir the strawberries through the jam and put into warmed jars, cover, label and date.

8. Enjoy!

Elderflower Cordial

I've been busy making my annual Elderflower cordial and as it's so easy to make and delicious to drink I thought I would share the recipe with you! I make loads and put it in the freezer and then in the depths of winter when you need a bit of a lift and a reminder of summer, I defrost a bottle or two and make some up. It's particularly nice to have around Christmas time (eek can't believe I've written that!) as it makes a great punch with some lemonade and a good splosh of Vodka!

Elderflower Cordial

Ingredients

25 Elderflower heads, picked with the sun on them ( I often use more to increase the flavour)

3lbs granulated sugar

3pts cold water

2oz citric acid ( available from your local chemist)

2 lemons and 4 oranges, washed and sliced

Method

Place water and sugar in a bucket with the sliced fruit. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix well, squeezing the fruit and helping to dissolve the sugar. Wash the flowers and remove the stalks, add to the liquid with the citric acid and stir. Leave to stand for 24 hours, stirring occasionally and squeezing the juice from the fruit with your hands. Finally strain and put into sterilised bottles. I usually freeze mine and sometimes I adjust the recipe and use equal oranges and lemons and slightly less sugar.

To serve - dilute to taste, delicious with sparkling water or lemonade and slices of lemon and lime.