Lilac Jelly Tasting ~ Bugs with Blogger ~ Herb Garden Work ~ Greenhouse Win!

I cracked open a jar of the lilac jelly I canned.  I can't explain the flavor, but it is very good.  It's not a perfum-y taste as is the fragrance of lilacs.

I am getting frustrated with blogger.  I noticed yesterday that half of my font changed after I posted it.  It's been happening a lot lately.  I'll try and remember to view it first thing, so the font is all the same size.

Green onion area (after photo)

My herb garden is a hot mess this year.  After running into ants in the flower beds, I moved to the herb garden.  Man oh man.  Thankfully the rain helped making the process easy.  I now have an area to plant my thyme seeds I started inside this year.  The oregano looks great, other than grass is now growing in it.  I ripped the grass seeds off and will weed the grass out after the next rain (more photos hopefully soon).  I have much to do, but it sure feels good (although work) to be outside again.

My veggie plants got a day outside to start hardening.  It has been way to cold to even start, and it's late for us this year.  

I found habanero, serrano, hot banana pepper plants and sweet potato slips at the Greenhouse yesterday.  No cherry bomb hot peppers.  Again. No one seems to have them this year.  I've tried everywhere, and seeds are not available in stores, so (I know it's late), but I ordered seeds.  We'll see how that goes.  Our neighbor who sells his veggies/fruits in a stand may have some to buy this year too.

Back to the Grind ~ Lilac Jelly

 

This was my "note to self" upon awakening.  I had two days off in the kitchen.  I technically had a complete two days off, so it was back to the grind, kitchen, laundry.....you name it.

I got more flowers on my birthday and many more gifts.  The day was truly special, and I did not do a lick of work.  

First, a breakfast needed to be made (made a scramble)

A two meat potato, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, farm fresh eggs and dandelion greens.

...and this crazy lady did this

I picked lilacs to try lilac jelly for the first time ever.  The infusion first turned a blue-ish, then purple color.

Once the jelly was made it turned into a beautiful pink color. I was expecting a yellow color (someone showed me their jelly they canned), but of course this color is pink.  Any thoughts?  My blooms were a brighter purple, so maybe that is why?  I will be tasting this in a day or so and let you all know if it's good.

I apologize for no printable version.  I tried one way I googled and could not figure it out.  It was written Feb. of 2021, but what pops up with the directions does not look like what her photos show. One of these days....

Lilac Jelly

2 cups packed lilac flowers

2 1/2 cups boiling water

I use a quart canning jar.  I add the flowers to the jar and pour the boiling water over.  I put a lid and rim on and let it sit overnight, but you should let it infuse at least 8 hours.

Strain infusion.  I use a coffee filter in a strainer over a glass bowl.

In a large pot, add:

2 cups of the lilac infusion

4 Tbsp. organic lemon juice

1 box sure-jell powdered pectin

Bring to a boil.

Add 4 cups sugar and bring to a rolling boil, constantly stirring. Boil one minute. Remove from heat and skim.

Pour into sterilized jars (1/4 inch head space), wipe jars, and add heated new lids and add the rim.   Boil in canner for 10 minutes.  Cool untouched for 24 hours.

Yield:  8 - 4 oz. jars or 4 - 8 oz. jars.