Home Sweet Home.

Today I woke up and took a walk outside in the morning sun. In my eyes the Tin Palace looks the most beautiful in the morning hours when the sun is coming up.  It is the most calm time around the grounds.  The birds are still quiet, the rabbits haven't ventured out yet, It is just so peaceful.

I found myself standing for the longest time just staring out across the front part of the orchard.  The picture does not do it justice, but it was so amazing to be standing among the trees.  It was then that I realized just how lucky I am.  I am so blessed to have such a beautiful piece of land to call home. 


I also wanted to share with you my TOMATOES!!  I am thrilled that they are growing.  With the crazy weather we have had this Spring and Summer- I am so happy that anything is growing in my container garden.

I have 8 tomatoes right now!  Along with the tomatoes I also have:

GREEN BEANS!!  These babies put a smile on my face! This year I was thinking I would get nothing out of my garden and I have tomatoes and green beans.

I am anxiously awaiting for some zucchini and butternut squash to grow. I have a feeling that they will not be arriving on my dinner table via my garden this year- but the blossoms look awesome!

It was a blissful morning roaming the land of the Tin Palace!

Home Sweet Home!

Time To Jam

JAM - and this was just my half!

I had such a fun weekend, and spent some much needed quality time with my Mom.  Yesterday was a major Jam-a-thon. Many hours and many jars of jam. We only made two kinds of jam but there were delicious.  The first batch was a Strawberry Margarita Jam.  Yes- Jam with tequila in it.  It tastes so yummy- I just want to take a spoon and dig in!

The second batch was a Blood Orange and Beaujolais Marmalade. I have never been a big fan of Marmalade, but to be fair, I never really gave it a chance.  I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious this jam was.  Mom and I had a little extra left over that wouldn't fill a jar but we couldn't let it just go to waste.  Instead of throwing it out we spooned it over some Vanilla Ice Cream. It was heaven.

Earlier in the week I also made a Blackberry/Raspberry/ Peach jam that also turned out pretty good.  We had one jar that wouldn't seal - so we put it in the fridge for immediate use.  It taunted us from the fridge for 1 day before we decided to have breakfast for dinner and spread the jam over warm pancakes.  YUM.

These were my first attempts at making and canning jam.  I had so much fun I just want to turn everything into jam and put it in the canner.

Hmmm... wonder what I will make next... so many possiblities, so little time!