Over the weekend, I was excavating the freezer in a desperate search for ice cubes for my G&T. Ice cubes there were none but I found some interesting treasure that I had buried in the freezer in July last year: several bags of beautiful redcurrants. After a further search, this time more successfully, for empty jars, I knew I had to make redcurrant jelly. This is my second favourite toast spread, only topped by quince jelly, which I make when my poor little quince tree produces fruit. I have not been lucky for two years running, twice there were violent storms during blossom and the when the skies cleared, the blossom was gone. Maybe this year.
Redcurrant jelly is a no fuss jelly, it always sets because of the high pectin content of the berries. I am not very patient and it only takes about 15 minutes of rapid boiling before set point is reached. Jellies and jams that take longer to set are risky business because I tend to wander of to do something else quickly - only remembering the cooking process when a) all the boiled jam is on the hob and floor or b) the jam is burnt.
I love redcurrant jelly on a toasted bagel with melted salted butter.
Other moments of happiness:
- A couple of weeks ago, I won a pair of mittens in Kristie's give-away over at North of 49. The mittens arrived in the mail yesterday and I am really happy. They are perfect for the dry and coldish weather we are enjoying just now. They kept my hands toasty on a bike ride earlier today.
- It was dry enough to hang the washing out for the first time this year. Sleeping in outdoor dried sheets is a simple but wonderful pleasure.
- I planted 16 lily of the valley root thingies ( I don't know what they might be called). Too late to bloom for this year I think but they were good value and there will be another spring next year. We used to have a big patch of them but the guys who replaced our fence were super careless and completely obliterated the plants.
- Annie skipped off to enjoy her first residential school trip in an outdoor activities centre. She'll be away until Friday. Don't get me wrong, it is not her being a way for 5 days but her growing up to be an independent young "woman".
- We spent the afternoon in the play park, happily playing (the wee ones) and chatting (me) without feeling cold and/or wet.
- And lastly: I really enjoyed your comments on my last post, thank you all. I have replied to most comments but not all in the comments section (yet).
I am hoping for another amazing spring day tomorrow! Enjoy your week. Cx
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