Apricots are next

Canning season has begun

Red Currants are ripe.

 Labels have to be affixed

Next are sour cherries, 

Will my owl come back to guard over them?

Sour cherries, perfect for winter pies.

and Cherry Likör

Some are reserved fir little tartlets.

Three bites and they're gone.

Gina

They never dissapoint

Each year they bloom larger and stronger

My tuberous begonias  are more than 15 years old. 

They take a long nap in the dark and under a bench in my greenhouse. 

They have never been fed nor have they been repotted.  

Poppies volunteer.

I never know where they will pop up next. 

So green this year.  We had a lot of rain this Spring.

Salpiglossis have to be seeded every year. 

The pie cherries are just turning color. 

So far, the birds have not discovered them.  

Every fruit tree is laden with fruit.  Only the apples are taking a break

(they do that every other year). 

And miracles upon miracles, our 25 year old apricot tree is covered with fruit for the first time ever.

Take care dear friends. 

Gina 

Cherries are on.

Where are the Robins?

My tree is laden with sour cherries.

Where are the Blackbirds?

There will be plenty of cherries for 
Kirschwasser Likör.

And for winter pies.

For now I will bake a few little treats.
Just one bite and they are gone.  

Cherries make great preserves. 

Will I be lucky this year?  
Will the birds leave the chokecherries for me? 
They do make the best pancake syrup.  

Have a great week, dear Friends, 

Gina 

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

What to do

I know what to do with our Apples

Many varieties growing in our garden. 

I know what to do with our plums and pears.

I know what to do with our winter grapes

I know what to do with Greens from our garden.

I know what to do with sour cherries from our garden.

and red beets from our garden.

I know what to do with our peaches.

and our cabbages and eggplants.

I know what to do with our apricots

and with our onions.


But I don't know 

what to do with our Asian Pears. 

My tree is laden with fruit.

They are sweet and crunchy, great for salads.  

But they are not good for baking.  

Preserves are good enough, just not great. 

Should I buy a dehydrator? 
Have you tried to dry them, I haven't. 

Do you have a favorite recipe or idea.  

Would you share?  




 

Have a great remainder of the week dear friends,

Gina 

http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.ca/2016/09/five-on-friday_9.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

https://normandylife.blogspot.ca/2016/09/

It rained Sunday but we went on a picnic anyway

But first, there were chores to finish

Red Currants needed to be picked

And put up in jars to be served with Game, a European tradition.

 Labels have to be affixed

The owl is still watching over my cherry tree

(hey, look out little fellow)

Still so many cherries to pick.  I canned some of them for winter pies.

Some went into little tartlets for our picnic in the mountains

Three bites and they're gone.

Two Quiches made with Zucchini, Onions, Bacon, Curly Kale, Provolone cheese and eggs from the chicken coop.

All done by 11:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.

Christine

So we could go to the mountains and have a wonderful and rainy Sunday picnic with our charming friends, Christine and Steven.

We're all under there (minus the photographer Christine) holding up the paper roof with sticks...sharing a happy afternoon.

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Just in time

You found us just in time...

Eureka! We have cherries this year.  More than we can use.  In the past we have had to fight the birds for the cherries.

Come on over and pick a few.

 How do you get a net over a big cherry tree?  You tie a rock to the end and fling it over the tree, hoping all the while that it won't come flying back.

Of course, you can always get a few plastic owls with rotating heads, no less.

The robins immediately recognized the impostors.

You can have these too.  They're collecting dust in our garage.

What was needed is an honest to goodness real live owl.

She showed up just in time. From the very top she watches  over our cherry tree.

But now, my sassy little sparrows, who live in our red tile roof, have also disappeared.  I hear them complaining in a distant tree. 

Have a great weekend my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina

Nectar for the Gods

Cherry (Kirschwasser) and Pear Liqueur

Our sour cherries are ripe

We can only eat so many Cherry Pies

I can only wear so many Cherry Earrings

The rest go into bottles to make Cherry Liqueur

Use the same recipe for Pear Liqueur

Fill quart canning jar halfway with fruit

Pour simple syrup (1 cup sugar plus 1 cup water, heat until dissolved) over fruit until jar is 2/3rds to 3/4 full

(adjust to your taste)

Fill to top with vodka.

Place in cool spot and turn bottle every now and then.

Enjoy at Christmas time.

Have a great weekend my dear Blogging Friends

Gina

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/