Friday, June 1, 2012

Potpourri

I cannot believe how far behind I am!   I was taking a picture of some applique pieces I was working on and came across these! 
Blueberry jam, chutney & sauce 
This is just a portion of the 57 pounds of blueberries that were picked this year.    Eleven and a half pints total  of blueberry jam;  four and a half pints total of blueberry sauce;  and 6 half pints of blueberry-ginger chutney.  I'm sorry I didn't take picture of the luscious berries, but here's some of what I got a couple of years ago and I went to the same place. 


I went the first day by myself and picked about 29 pounds.  All those were frozen for Hubby to use on his cereal throughout the year.  And, he'll use them all up, too!!!  A couple of weeks later, he and I both went up to the blueberry farm and picked another 28 pounds.  I used most of those to make these cooked items.  However, I got so tired of looking at blueberries that I did give away a big bag full of them.  Just couldn't stand looking at or handling another one. 


Dr. Lundy grows many, many different varieties of blueberries, both high bush and rabbit eye.  He encourages grazing until you find the one you think tastes best and then you start picking.  His bushes are very well groomed and cared for, making it very easy to pick lots of berries in a short period of time. 


As for my sewing, I finally got the borders on my Island Chain quilt. 
Island Chain, designed by Kim Brackett
I have no idea when it will get quilted.  It is a large quilt, about full size. 


I also went on one  expedition.  My Birdlady friend led a birding field trip up to Blackwater State Forest but I couldn't attend due to family obligations.  At any rate, the next day she called me all excited.  She wanted to take me to see something special and wondered if I was free that afternoon.  Sure, why not, so off I went to her house.  She took me back to the forest to Tetlow Bog, at least that's what we all call it.   There in the bog were the most gorgeous pitcher plants!!!!
Sarracenia Leucophyla






Sarracenia flava
I sent picture of our find to a botanist friend who likes pitcher plants.  He was quite excited with our find of the purple and white ones, Sarracenia Leucophyla, as they are quite uncommon.   I am woefully ignorant of wildflowers, so I had no idea.  This area covered several acres and was just spectacular.


There was also a lovely little purple orchid.   Its blossom was just a tiny little thing about an inch big. 


Whew, enough for now.  I'll be back soon.


Y'all take care. 













11 comments:

  1. Do you wash blueberries before freezing them whole? I've read that you shouldn't because it will make the skins tough. The recommended method is to wash them before eating.

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  2. Oh wow, that is a ton of blueberries! There is a blueberry farm around here that just opened for the season... I might have to take a trip up there!

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  3. Wow, that's a lot of blueberries! We freeze them too but I never thought to defrost for morning cereal. Good idea. We do like them frozen in smoothies though. And in pancakes. And muffins. Even an occasional pie or two. :)

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  4. What an amazing friend to share such a place with you! Glad you were free the next afternoon. Those photos of the pitcher plants are terrific. :) I thought of you today when I was looking at a pair of birds on the feeder. No idea what they are, but I'll start looking in my bird book. Their bodies look ashy-burned but their heads are a dark brown.

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  5. Those blueberries look super-yummy. I tried to make blueberry jam once, but it didn't come out right. It was too runny.

    Your quilt is beautiful.
    ~FringeGirl

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  6. ... maybe a brown headed cowbird.

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  7. Hello! Beautiful quilt! You stopped by Everyday Ruralty and left some questions in a comment. I started Chats on the Farmhouse Porch as a way of getting people together. I had some lovely folks drop by my blog and I wanted a time when they knew they could drop by. The questions just get some conversation going. This past Christmas we had a card/gift exchange. It went well for a first time. There are some regular visitors and a few new ones every couple of weeks. It doesn't seem to get very big, but it has a cozy home feeling- almost as if the folks were just sitting on the porch talking. The questions are just ones that come to me, with the exception of times when I ask the group what questions they would like to ask each other. I visit each person who links up each week. I may get to them on different days as time allows, but I always get there.
    Stop by again. Join in sometime! We'd all welcome you to the porch. :)Patrice

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  8. Sarracenia AND orchids in the same post - what heaven. I love these carnivorous plants, would like to grow some next to one of our ponds but they are most particular about soil conditions. Seeing so many in the wild is an absolute privilege - I am deeply envious!

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  9. Beautiful flowers, blueberries and the quilt! You have been one BUSY lady. I enjoy your blog. Chanlady

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  10. You have some great pictures up here. Florida Organic Growers is actually hosting a Summer Snapshot Contest that you can enter. All you have to do is send a photo of a flower or vegetable/fruit as a message to our facebook page and if your photo has the most likes at the end of the month, you will win a unique vinyl wall decal! for more information, visit us at : http://www.facebook.com/FLOrganicGrowers

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  11. Oh, I so love blueberries. I frequently have a bowl of them for lunch (although usually the frozen ones) and pour almond milk over them! Love it!

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