As I canned cherries and gooseberries this summer, I thought of my mother. She had stimulated my interest in canning. We had made and canned thimbleberry jam together. It was a family project to pick and clean the wild berries. Gooseberries have stems and “pig tales” (the remainder of the flower). They also have a… Continue reading Canning Berries: Memories of Mom
Category: Recipes
Beginning the Day with Morning Coffee
In 2016 I wrote a blog post commemorating our anniversary (and our morning coffee). I was brought back six years as I read the post. Since then changes have taken place. My mother and brother have both passed away. I am no longer travelling to Michigan every other month. They are at rest. Our family has… Continue reading Beginning the Day with Morning Coffee
The Cherry Tree, Bewildered Birds and a Recipe
The cherry tree is in the center of my backyard. The blossoms in April bring hope and the joy of springtime. The tree draws the robins who march around it possessively and perch on its branches. When it produces red cherries, I pause in wonder, reminded to give thanks for God’s creation, the work of… Continue reading The Cherry Tree, Bewildered Birds and a Recipe
Experiments in Planting and Cooking
The Lord has blessed the earth with an amazing array of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Each produces seed according to its kind. I am thankful! I have begun to start a few tomato plants indoors, and I am looking forward to their fruit. I was happy to see that seed saved from currant tomatoes several… Continue reading Experiments in Planting and Cooking
Quercetin: A Flavonoid in Onions
Onions are a staple in my kitchen. If I am frying a portion of salmon. I like to have sauteed onions in the pan. Onions add flavor to almost every kind of meat. I place onions in the cavity of a chicken or a turkey before roasting. I have a nice recipe for a skillet… Continue reading Quercetin: A Flavonoid in Onions
Herbs in My Bay Window
During the summer I have a bounty of fresh herbs. Sage, chives, oregano, mint, lavender and lemon balm are perennials in my yard. Sometimes thyme survives the winter and it comes back for a second or third season. Each summer I plant dill and basil. I am fortunate to have a southern facing bay window.… Continue reading Herbs in My Bay Window
3 Kinds of Basil for Soups and Salads
One of the many blessings from a home garden is having fresh herbs readily available. This year I have three kinds of basil. I planted sweet basil from seeds. I purchased a bush basil plant at a farmer’s market. My neighbor gave me a lettuce basil plant. Basil is nice with any tomato dish. Diced… Continue reading 3 Kinds of Basil for Soups and Salads
A Meal to Spark Memories
My mother’s birthday was last month. We celebrated her 98 years. She is cared for in a nursing home in Michigan. She has significant memory loss and is wheelchair bound. She recognizes family as familiar people and is happy to see us. Sometimes she reverts to the language of her childhood, Finnish. I can only… Continue reading A Meal to Spark Memories
Making and Canning Healthy Broth
Whenever I cook a naturally raised chicken or turkey I want to make the best use of it. After the turkey (or chicken) has been carved and served I save the bones to make broth. The procedure is simple. I put the bones, a few vegetables (a carrot, an onion, a couple stalks of celery),… Continue reading Making and Canning Healthy Broth
The Best Blueberry Pie
Blueberries are appearing in the grocery store. They are from the southern states–it will still be a while before the Michigan berries are ripe. Even though they are not from Michigan the blueberries are lovely, and so I made a family favorite pie. Pastry: 1 cup flour 1/8 tsp. salt 1/3 cup butter (5 +1/3… Continue reading The Best Blueberry Pie