simple pleasures on the farm

oh it is so nice to be open again!
that certainly was a short and sweet (and hot!) week.

 did anyone bring an apple to their teacher? you still can!

macintosh, gravenstein and ginger gold apples 
are perfect for picking this weekend. 

our bartlett pears are still available. 

when you visit us you have a chance to sample them all!

we have pressed our own apple cider for you! 

this first early blend is like no other.

enjoy a cup down at our dreamy wee river cottage, 

or take a jug home.

i can't remember where i found this recipe, 

but it is simple and different and delicious... 

apple and pear jam with vanilla 

the easiest recipe ever…

only 4 ingredients

1 kg of peeled, cored and sliced apples and pears.
 this is about 4 1/2 cups combined, half and half ish.
 i used more pears than apples the first time. 

750 grams of sugar.. about 3 1/4 cups 

1 vanilla bean 

combine the fruit and sugar in a heavy pot.

slice the vanilla bean length wise and scrape out the seeds and paste.

add this to the pot.

if you have a sugar jar, put the vanilla bean 
in your sugar to impart a lovely flavour. 

cook on low for 45 ish minutes…stirring often so the fruit 

doesn't stick to the bottom. the fruit will become soft. 

mash the fruit with a potato masher to get the desired consistency. 

you could blend it with a hand blender if you like it smooth. 

spoon into sterilized jars.

this is really lovely spooned over a nice stilton cheese.

or on toast, or swirled in yoghurt. 
you will find the perfect pairing. pearing?

we are still loving our new farm family…

we are looking forward to seeing you this weekend

 and we welcome the cooler weather!

warm hugs 

laura 

i thought you may want to see what the blossoms looked like.

i love how each variety of apple and pear has a delicate, different blossom… 

macintosh 

gravenstein 

ginger gold  

bartlett pear 

carl laidlaw orchards