---Hand extending from the heavens---- I took this picture while on Soloman's Island Md. in 2010. It stopped me cold for a few minutes.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Happy Sunday

 Still picking few June strawberries.  I have everbearing ripening also. I try to get them before the squirrels get them.  I have the berries covered but they try, and I am not letting them win.  Glad the owls are back out and I hear them calling in the evening.  I think they are good at keeping prey away from my vegetables and berries. 

I made jam or preserves

 The white berries in here are Pine berries.


Large June berries here


Natural color with less sugar than called for, I always put in an apple slice or two to simmer with the strawberries because apples contain pectin.  They help thicken and cook down to where you don't know they are in there. 
Certain apples contain more pectin than others like Granny Smith, Red delicious and Gala are a few. I didn't use the skin or core which is where most is found.
 I just added a few slices 
Some lemon juice added to the strawberries.
Tastes so much better than store bought.

Perfect thickness

I sliced some for drying

They taste tart and have a strong strawberry flavor.  I use in baking. Some ground for cakes and frostings. 


Mothers day and husbands birthday fell on same day
I got roses from children 
They were large enough amount that I made an extra vase for den.

I separated them




We drove out to the restaurant called The Ice House in Gordonsville Va. 
very good food
Pretty scenery along the way

From the table I was sitting, the view out the window of the structures reminded of a couple I saw while visiting in Maine.  I felt like I was in New England for a moment.  I love the old architecture. 


Steve had chicken 

I had flounder

Chantilly cake with strawberries and blueberries from Publix was delicious!  The cakes I have noticed are just a little smaller it seems.

A lovely day for both of us
💖



4 comments:

  1. I'll go backwards - that chicken looks so delicious!!! And the roses - what a wonderful remembrance and how pretty they look. I am huge fan of homemade strawberry jam and jelly. I don't have any strawberry plants myself, but I have friends and family who do and who make me jam! I am spoiled.

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    1. Miss Merry. Thank you for visiting. that chicken was so good and juicy tender.

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  2. Beautiful photos, and I think it's a great idea to put a couple of apple slices in the for pectin. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Linda. There are certain types of apples that have more than others. I didn't use the rind or center where a lot of it is but a few slices of gala apple helped.

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