Snug Harbor Farm

Posted on | July 22, 2011 | 13 Comments

I took the day off on Wednesday and headed up to Maine to hang out with Michael Penny and his lovely wife Sara. He’s an editor at Canadian House & Home and writes a great blog too.

We spent the morning scouring the booths at Antiques USA in Arundel and then headed down to Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk. We spent at least 2 hours looking at all the different plants, poking in and out of greenhouses and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It’s such a special place!

I picked up a few new perennials—even though I have no room in my garden—and a beautiful succulent to place on my desk. Below snapshots I took on my visit.

Snug Harbor Farm
87 Western Avenue
Kennebunk, ME 04043
(207) 967-2414
snugharborfarm.com

Category: garden, maine

Making Raspberry Jam with Mint and Lavender

Posted on | July 19, 2011 | 17 Comments

Over the weekend we made raspberry jam. I was a little concerned about the seeds. They don’t bother me but Greg suggested about a week ago he hates raspberry seeds—he denies this statement now. So when I thought he hated seeds I ordered this Fruit and Vegetable Strainer KitchenAid attachment to remove them.

He bugged me all Saturday morning asking when I was going to start so he could try out the new toy. After a quick rinse the raspberries went into the strainer. He had a great time and even said, “This is the most fun I’ve had in the kitchen in a long time.” He read on a discussion board not to run them through twice because the strainer could crack or put excess labor on your mixer— he of course didn’t believe this statement. “Look at the juice left on those things Katy”, he said after I reminded him of the warning. In the photo below you can see the first run through and the second. We also shot a little video to show you how it works.

The machine did get clogged and he had a heck of time getting the attachment off the machine but thankfully nothing broke. As he was cleaning I began to boil the raspberries on the stove. I threw in a few of the seeds sticks when he wasn’t looking. How can you have raspberry jam without seeds, right? I made two batches of jam. The first was just regular raspberry and second was Raspberry with Mint and Lavender. The touch of mint is amazing! The recipe below is from my favorite new canning book, Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry by Liana Krissoff.

Raspberry Jam with Mint and Lavender
Makes about 5 half-pint jars

1 pound of Granny Smith apples (about 4 small)
3 pounds raspberries, rinsed if necessary (about 10 cups)
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 2 small lemons
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons fresh lavender blossoms, or 2 teaspoons dried

Prepare for water-bath canning. Sterilize the jars and keep them hot in a canning pot, put a small plate in the freezer, and put the flat lids in a heat-proof bowl.

Quarter and core the apples, reserving the cores and seeds. Put as many of the apple trimmings in a jelly bag or 4 layers of cheesecloth as will fit, and tie the bag closed.

Put the raspberries and sugar in a wide, 6- to 8-quart preserving pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Add the apples and the bag with the trimmings, along with the lemon juice and zest. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking, until a small dab of the jam spooned on the chilled plate and returned to the freezer for a minute becomes somewhat firm (it will not gel), 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the mint and lavender and cook for one minute. Remove from the heat and stir gently for a few seconds to distribute the fruit in the liquid. Remove the bag and the apples.

Ladle the boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids. Using a jar lifter, remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel. Drain the water off the jar lids.

Ladle the hot jelly into the jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the the top. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars, then put a flat lid and ring on each of the jars, adjusting the ring so that just finger-tight. Return the jars to to the water in the canning pot. Bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to process. Remove the jars to a folded towel and do not disturb for 12 hours.

Recipe as it appears in Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry by Liana Krissoff.

Making jam together on Saturday afternoon.

Greg demonstrating how the attachment works.

First run through on the left and second time on the right.

Raspberries boiling in dutch oven with apple tied in cheese cloth.

Fresh mint and lavender from garden.

Mint and lavender chopped up for jam.

Mason jars freshly sterilized and ready to be filled. Mr. Jack sits in the window watching the whole process.

Filling jars with jam using a funnel.

Category: farm coop box, recipes

Boxy Sofa with Pillows

Posted on | July 18, 2011 | 16 Comments

Ben Pentreath’s living room

About a month ago I mentioned a few sofa shapes I’ve been eyeing as potentials for my den. Everyone seemed to be split on the boxy shapes I was suggested. Some found it to be really interesting and simple; others thought it looked way to stiff and uncomfortable. On Ben Pentreath’s blog this morning I spotted the exact sofa I’m in love with adorned with beautiful printed pillow surrounding the backside. Everything about this room is perfect! I want it all: the chairs, ottomans, lamps, tables…so warm and inviting!

We have a sofa right now with really comfy back cushions. More often then not we throw them on the floor when we want to cuddle together. I never put pillows on the sofas because it just adds to the clutter. I guess that’s why I’m more keen to this look and I like the idea of cuddling in the corner of a high arm. I can choose semi-firm pillows and a beautiful array of prints (I have a textile obsession) and fill the back side, right? And hopefully they won’t end up on the floor!

I still need to find a sofa I can afford. Be on the look out for boxy shapes with really pretty legs—vintage or not—around 72″ And be sure to check out Ben’s lovely shop and blog too!

Category: furniture, interiors

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