There were about 2 lbs. of apricots, but, quite a few of them were smashed (they had probably dropped from the tree, I think) and one or two were on the verge of being spoiled. I tossed the really bad ones and salvaged what I could of the smashed ones. I didn't peel the rest, but, cut them up. I had a little less than 1 1/2 lbs. of prepared fruit to work with. I added 2 lbs. sugar and the juice of 3 lemons from my tree and a little bit of nutmeg for flavoring and boiled it all down. It only took about 30 minutes for it to become jam:
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| Apricot Jam |
I had chicken fried rice for brunch, today, with some leftover rice, some of the rotisserie chicken I had kept to thaw for tonight's dinner, some leftover corn, an egg, and some peanuts. I am glad I had put two pieces of chicken to thaw!
Neighbor S called to say that she is starting to give piano lessons, again. I told her I am not going anywhere, yet, but, she's willing to do online lessons. So, that might be something I can start doing, next month. I'd better start practicing more regularly! LOL.
I am writing this post in the afternoon, today, rather than late at night as I usually do. At the time of this writing (3:30 p.m.), I haven't done anything on today's to do list! I don't need to do any laundry and I will water the front garden in the evening. I will probably clean the kitchen in the evening, too. I did empty the dishwasher and put away the washed dishes and I washed the pan I used to make the jam. I should do the paperwork, this afternoon, while I watch news, but, paperwork is something I dislike even more than vacuuming! Sigh. Maybe I will get something accomplished after I have a cup of tea.
Today, I am grateful for:
- The gift of apricots from my cousin and her daughter
- Being able to preserve them by making jam
- Being able to make enough to share
- Cousin's daughter will pick up a few groceries (eggs, bread, bananas) for me
- A relaxed afternoon
Today's joyful activity was making jam from the apricots I was given.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Paperwork/filing
- Clean the kitchen
- Clean the kitchen
- Water the garden, front
- Load of laundry, if needed - NOT needed
How is your Thursday coming along?
How is your Thursday coming along?
Before I read this, I made supper with chicken breasts and a sauce/glaze which included apricot jam! When I found the recipe I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had all the ingredients in the house except fresh parsley for garnish, but I have a pot of straggly cilantro so I picked a few leaves from that.
ReplyDeleteI've been grocery shopping again. It was 8 days since the previous time and there was an 8 day interval before that. I think I've found my workable pattern now. I had to pick up a prescription as well and took advantage of a $5 voucher on my baby aspirin 120 bottle.
Oh, that chicken dish sounds good! I shall try making some chicken with an apricot jam glaze! I've already made some with the peach chutney and found that to be very good, too.
DeleteYes, it sounds like you've found a workable grocery shopping interval for you. That's good. Not quite once a week, but, not as long as every 10 days. Glad you could take advantage of a $5 voucher for your aspirin, too. :)
Apricot is my favorite jam. I too don’t like too sweet jam.
ReplyDeleteToday I did two loads of laundry, ironing, and grading two sets of assignments.
It’s very hot here (over 100 F) and we had heat advisories for two days in a row now.
Oh, that IS hot, especially with your humidity! Stay cool! Do you have any air conditioning? If not, stay under or in front of a fan!
DeleteSounds like you had a busy and productive day. The grading never stops, does it? When does the summer term end? Will you have a bit of a break between that and the start of fall classes?
You may not have done anything on your todo list when you wrote the post, but you didn't know that it would be a jam making day either! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't know it was a jam making day! Or that I would feel slightly light-headed during the afternoon (even while I was writing my post - the reason why I was not doing anything) and experience some tummy discomfort, later in the evening. I just took it easy and relaxed. But, the jam was made and so, the day was a success. :)
DeleteHow lovely that they thought of you as the recipient of the apricots. Are you the only jam maker in the family?
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see how the online piano lessons work out. I'm glad you are continuing to isolate at home. It's very scary that so many people are behaving as if the virus is no longer a threat and it's their behaviour that makes me exercise caution. My family are continuing to follow the government advice but some friends aren't and it's lead to some difficult conversations.
Yes, it was very nice of them to think of me and, yes, I am the only jam maker in the family. :D
DeleteI think the online piano lessons will go well, as long as the internet doesn't freeze! But, first, I need to find out if she will accept checks (cheques) as payment. I had been paying her cash, earlier, but, I am not going to the bank and don't want to use up all the spending cash I withdrew just before we went into isolation. I do have some other cash kept aside as my emergency cash, but, that is for a really dire emergency, such as a massive earthquake, not for piano lessons!
I am being very cautious. I have family members who have gone to get their hair and nails done! I keep my thoughts to myself, when they tell me that. It's their choice, but, it means I keep my distance from them!
Paperwork is one of those necessary evils. I keep the major things under control, but our files could really use a good cleaning. Someday...
ReplyDeleteYes; I had been training myself to process the paper as soon as it comes in, but, now, I set the daily mail aside for a couple of days to disinfect and they tend to sit there, ignored, until, suddenly, there are piles of paper stalagmites all over the place!
DeleteWhen I forecast another couple of jam jars in your future, I didn't even consider apricots or any fruits that might be gifted to you. Glad you were able to score some.
ReplyDeleteNow that my office desk is downstairs and not front and centre on the main floor, I tend to forget about my paperwork. I am glad I did a big purge though the last couple of weeks. Paperwork is one of those chores that doesn't show up as a huge productive result at the end of the day, like laundry or vacuuming. But it does feel good if you can plough your way through and get it finished.
Ha, ha, but, your forecast came true! :) I am planning to make another batch of jam with fruit from my garden, but, after that, I am going to need to order more jars! I ordered 4 dozen and have used 3 dozen, already!
DeleteI really need to be more disciplined when it comes to paperwork! I tend to set things aside and then, never get to them! I shall spend some time this weekend doing paperwork.
Yum.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine. :)
DeleteWhat a perfect gift a bag of apricots is for you at this moment. You are in your jam-making zone.
ReplyDeleteYou jumped right in and handled the fruit right away too which is great.
Your food gift cupboard is filling up.
Yes, I'm very glad to have received the bag of apricots. They were rather smashed and starting to spoil, so, it was important to process them as soon as possible. I think my cousin's daughter received them a day or two before she brought them to me. But, now, I have a couple of additional jars to add to my gift stash! :)
DeleteOh my! At this rate you will be able to set up a stall selling jam. :) It was very kind of your cousin's daughter to offer you the apricots. X
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, I used to joke that I'll open a stall selling my crafts when I retired; maybe I'll offer my jam as well. Yes, it was very kind of her to think of me when she was offered the apricots. :)
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