I love the fact that where I live there are literally dozens of wild plum trees lining the roads and pathways and at this time of year they are dripping with fruit. It seems a crime not to fill baskets full every time I go out... I hate to see them falling on the ground going to waste.
Which of course means that I end up making endless jars of jam. It always makes me think about a brilliant childrens' book called "Jam" by Margaret Mahy that my boys used to love when they were little. We used to read it over and over again and it always made them laugh.
It tells the story of the Castle family who have a stay at home Dad. When their plum tree starts to drop fruit he discovers he has a talent for making jam and ends up making so much he fills every container in the house. They end up eating jam with absolutely everything to use it all up and they put on so much weight over the year he puts them all on a strict exercise regime... and just as they are getting back to normal, playing a healthy game of cricket in the garden and looking forward to eating something other than jam, they hear the thud of the first plum falling on the roof again! Not quite the story in our house as I've still not used all jam left over from last year...
But it doesn't stop me making more... and this year I've been experimenting with different flavours. A little vanilla in with the golden yellow Mirabelles and a splash of Amaretto liqueur with the red plums.... which proved to be very popular.
So much so, I made another seven jars on Monday... which Stewart re-christened "Plumaretto Jam"
It's a very pretty colour.
And now there are Damsons to deal with too. I might have to make Damson Gin with those... only so much jamaretto I can eat!
Oh the jam looks and sounds absolutely delicious! Mmm! And love the sound of the children's book too--must look out for it. xx
ReplyDeleteIs there anything prettier than a row of jams and jellies. Plumaretto sounds delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteV x
Gosh, you've been busy. There's something very satisfying about a stash of homemade preserves. I think plum jam is my absolute favourite (not that I'm hinting!).
ReplyDeleteOoo there's nothing like the taste of home made jam, yum! I love the new name too. :) The story is fun, I haven't come across that one before although with all that jam in the house I'd need more than an exercise regime! ;)
ReplyDeleteJess xx
Plumaretto...what wonderful name for something beautiful and delicious, too!
ReplyDeleteGina, I can understand why your lads enjoyed that Jam story book. It's got a great plot and rings very true, too. Lucky you to have those wild plum trees growing nearby. Plums are so costly at the farmers market, it must be grand to have this "pick your own" option so handy.
May I also tell you how much I like your lunch drawing. I think it was 2013 when I started a new sketchbook promising myself to do a drawing a day. I confess that devolved into a drawing a week and went south from there. I remember a favorite drawing teacher of mine telling us to practice at least an hour a day.
I guess the opportunity to resume such a practice greets me every morning....
xo
Oh I WISH I could be bothered to cook like you Gina xx
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love making jam and it's on my to-do list for the weekend. Yours looks beautiful -- how lucky to have so much fruit available! (And that children's book sounds so cute!)
ReplyDeletePlumaretto sounds delicious and what a beautiful colour!
ReplyDeletePlumaretto sounds fab - gorgeous colour too. x Jo
ReplyDeleteWhat Vintagerockchick said!
ReplyDeleteYour larder will be well stocked. Jam today and jam tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI love plum jam!!! The plumaretto sounds delicious!!!! xx
ReplyDeleteCute story and beautiful photos! And yes it does seem like a crime to let fruit rot.
ReplyDeleteOoooh jam. Youngest daughters favourite Margaret Mahy was downhill crocodile whizz.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of adding other flavours to plum jam - I'm going to give it a go. I haven't blogged in a while and I'm really enjoying catching up on your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy girls loved the Jam book too - and are always surprised that no one else seems to know about it, til now! I have just made some great plum jam from Diana Henry's 'Salt Sugar Smoke' YUM!
ReplyDeleteYum! Yum! Yum! Amaretto? I love it! I can't imagine all those plums going to waste (err,...waist in my case...lol) but good on you using them to make something so delicious! I used to pick wild brambleberries and wild raspberries and wild found elderberries....a lot of hot prickly work, but the jelly was delicious!
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