Sunday 25 September 2011

I seem to be making preparations for Christmas!

I'm not usually so well organised but came across this recipe in my book about preserves and thought it sounded good. I liked that I could prepare the orange peel sticks and then store them until nearer the time I want to use them.

Here they are just beginning to bubble away, after which they sat for 24 hours.


This morning they had another session of bubbling away and are now looking like this and sitting in the airing cupboard for another 24 hours to dry out. As long as my husband doesn't chuck any clothes on top of them all should be well.


I am left with a small bowl of delicious tangy orange syrup which may set into clear marmalade, or find its way onto something for a pudding for this evening. I can't waste it.


This is the sloe gin. It's had it's daily shake up for the past week and now only needs shaking once a week until the beginning of December when I can strain and bottle it. It should be left to mature for 18months but I can't see anyone in my family wanting to wait that long!


57years ago today, I was buttering bridge rolls for other members of my family to spread with various tasty fillings for our 'afternoon tea' wedding reception. How the years have flown by, and how things have changed, particularly with regard to weddings. We were lucky to have the church already decorated for Harvest Festival - it looked wonderful. Many things were still in short supply - not least money - and I was lucky enough to be loaned my cousin's wedding dress. My grandmother kindly lent us her garden and allowed the local scouts tent to be put up on her lawn. When it had been decorated inside with trails of ivy and flowers it looked lovely and provided covered seating for about 50 guests. It was very much a family/DIY affair and parents, cousins, aunts and grandmother all had a hand in it. I remember being surprised at the number of people in the church. It was a magical day and all done on a shoestring. A lot of hard work all round, but very worthwhile and a great success.







17 comments:

Carol Q said...

what an interesting post Heather and many congratulations. it's my parents 60th next year. my dad regularly makes the candied orange dipped in chocolate and it gets eaten in a flash. I've got some damson gin on the go which should be ready for Christmas - my first lot.

jill said...

i wonder if you can make the candied orange sticks without an airing cupboard as we dont have one. Your wedding sounds lovely and probably all the more memorable that your family were involved in the preparations.

jill said...
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Gill said...

Happy Anniversary to you both!
I have that book too and that recipe was on my to-do list so I shall be interested to see how yours turn out!
I've made damson gin again and so fae it's looking good!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Might try that candied orange peel Heather.

Don't tell me about weddings. I am giving my god-daughter away in April and already the wedding preparations are well afoot and gathering momentum by the day. Both my weddings were quiet affairs with the minimum of expense and fuss - as you say, how things have changed.

Anonymous said...

What a charming post Heather, many congratulations on your anniversary.

I have Damson gin brewing...

Twiggy said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, I loved the description of your wedding day it sounded a lovely family affair.
twiggy x

Jane said...

Mmmm sounds good Heather, I can almost taste them.

Ro Bruhn said...

Happy Anniversary. What a lovely story, the main thing people remember about today's weddings is the exorbitant cost. The candied orange peel will be a big hit, you sound very organized.

Penny said...

Happy Anniversary. Th candied orange sound wonderful.

Gina said...

Happy Wedding Anniversary Heather.

Lyn said...

I like the look of the chocolate coated oranges and what a lovely memory of your wedding day. Many Congratulations
xxx

Robin Mac said...

Happy anniversary Heather, I love the description of your wedding day, sounds much more meaningful and fulfilling foreveryone than the hugely expensive affairs today. I am not a lover of gin, but the orange sticks look yummy - are you sure they will last till Christmas? Cheers

Heather said...

JILL: I hope you come back to read this as Blogger wont let me leave a comment on yours (and several other blogs). I'm sure you can do this without an airing cupboard. A very low oven temperature - 50 degrees - is mentioned in the recipe. Mine only goes down to 80, but you could dry the candied peel out anywhere, though it might take several days instead of 24 hours.

Heather said...

Heather also meant to say thankyou to everyone for your kind comments and congratulations!

Linda Vincent said...

Happy Anniversary Heather....I love the description of your wedding; happy memories :-)
Orange peel in chocolate sounds fab!
You're so organised...
XX

Linda Vincent said...
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