| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 06:05:27 AM
Well, I was looking out the window the other day as we drove to an estate sale, and what did I see? Loads of kudzu blossoms tucked under those rampant green leaves!! Which means I will be making Kudzu Blossom Jelly this week!! Yipee!
I know for sure that I am mailing off 5 jars to farmgirls friends and I am also taking a jar for each of the girls who are going to the Gurlfrenz Getaway at Frannie's! I will be in my kitchen all day on Friday, and I can't wait. My mom and my friend Cilla will be there helping. Which will be a hoot, since Cilla has a broken leg and my mom is in need of knee surgery! Good thing I have a big, open kitchen! Maybe in the between times we can have wheelchair races!!
I just love doing this sort of thing. I'll be dancing on air all week in anticipation! 
Karin
Today was THE day!! Cilla, her husband Wes and I went out yesterday to pick. We found an incredible patch of Kudzu, with blossoms everywhere! They were beautiful, and very heady. All I could smell on the way home was the half-a-laundry-basket full of blossoms!
After a night of "brewing", and being strained through 12 layers of cheesecloth, the liquid was ready to be made into jelly.
Well, FOURTEEN batches later, we finally finished at 7:30 tonight. 75 glistening jars of magenta-colored goodness resting on my dining room table! I have to say, it is the best we've ever made!!
So, to all of the farmgirls on the Kudzu Blossom Jelly list-(Asnedecor, Sunshine, Aunt Jenny, berries, Shirley, LJRphoto and KellyA)it will be on it's way to you next week! Just e-mail me your address, and I will pop them in the post to you ASAP.
Mmmmmmm. Warm biscuits, fresh butter, Kudzu Jelly. Guess what I am having for breakfast tomorrow?
Karin |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Shirley |
Posted - Oct 28 2006 : 4:31:53 PM
LOL Karin,
Goood thing I said something hehe, You may not have checked for ages.
glad ya got it ok
shirley |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Oct 28 2006 : 07:18:16 AM
Shirley- Your post sent me scrambling to the front porch to see if there was a package. Yes!! It is here!! (Along with a package for my son.) Who knows how long it's been there. We have a side door that we always use- never do we use the front door. So, unless I am expecting something, I don't look there!! Silly me. I am going to have to check more frequently!! I love the strawberry pincushion. How adorable!! And thank you for the surprise inside the card. That was very generous of you. You are a doll. A big farmgirl (((hug))) to you, my friend.
Karin |
| Shirley |
Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 10:35:08 PM
Karin,
I sent you a package a while back ,I was wondering if you got it ok?
Shirley in Oly Wa |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Sep 09 2006 : 06:35:44 AM
I tell you I pass acres of kudzu each day, right here in Tallahassee, and I have never even seen it blossom! It just covers big oaks and literally blankets the landscape each summer. I had no idea it was useful! Here, they bring goats and sheep in to graze along the roads to keep it back. Wow! I will trade you something, too, if you have an extra jar left. If not, that is fine, I may just have to go hunting for those blossoms! Amazing!
Peace |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Sep 09 2006 : 06:01:04 AM
Jennifer- YES! We do need to get together!! I will e-mail you.
Laura- You made me laugh! I can just picture you thrusting spoonfuls of jelly at your friends saying "Here- try this!" I may have to send you another jar for your own personal use!!
Most of the true Southerners here that I have mentioned Kudzu Blossom Jelly to just wrinkle up their noses and say they have never heard of such a thing!! So, I bring them a small jar and they are astounded at how good it really is! Of course, I like to think I'm sharing some of my "Yankee Ingenuity" with them!!
Karin |
| LJRphoto |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 8:01:52 PM
Jennifer, I love your quote. I'd never heard that one before. I might stitch it on a pillow!
Karin, I give everyone who comes to my house a spoonful of your jam to taste (then get them to try to guess what it is). Everyone loves it, and no one knows what it is. Silly Northerners that we are!
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." -E. B. White
http://www.betweenthecities.com/blog/ljr/
|
| SpinninJenny |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 6:52:33 PM
Hey Karin!
I just realized that you're soooo close to me! I live in the south end of Newton County. I shop all the time in Conyers and occassionally have to drive to McDonough, Locust Grove and Stockbridge! It would be fun to get together and have lunch sometime. I'd love to meet another Farmgirl!!
Jennifer in GA
The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. --
Mark Twain.
|
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 7:18:21 PM
I am so glad to know that the jelly arrived safely.
Jenny- Girly jelly? That is hilarious!! PB& Kudzu jelly sandwiches are the best!
Laura- I think the "subtle something" must be warm, Georgia sunshine!!
I felt like Santa Claus sending all of those jars across the country.
There is nothing like sharing with friends!
Karin
|
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 5:17:42 PM
Mine came today too...I can hardly wait to try it. I will make bread tomorrow just to have it on. It is beautiful Karin!! My son asked if it was girly jelly for "tea" time or if it was for PBJ's. I told him girly. (I AM the meanest mom in town!) I will be sharing, though.
Thanks so much!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| LJRphoto |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 3:13:44 PM
Karin, I got my Kudzu Jelly today. I, of course, opened it immediately and spread some on bread to try it out - it's delicious! It is such a beautiful color just like you said and you packaged it so nicely. I can't wait to make some biscuits and try some more. There's something very subtle there that I just can't quite taste "above" the heavy, wheat bread I put it on. Thank you so much for sharing with me - I've become an absolute jelly/jam nut this year. I'll have your hot pepper relish in the mail this week!
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." -E. B. White
http://www.betweenthecities.com/blog/ljr/
|
| sunshine |
Posted - Sep 03 2006 : 3:06:17 PM
let us all know how it comes out
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| zilzirk |
Posted - Sep 03 2006 : 11:54:21 AM
We went kudzu flower picking today! down at the end of the street, we have a whole patch in a business park. So we brought bags and picked and picked. Easily got 4 cups! The flowers are just beautiful! They look like sweet peas! and the smell is heavenly!!! I am so amazed and thrilled. We washed the flowers and they are soaking in the boiling water bath. Looks kinda gross now - grayish just like you said Karin. Let you know more after the canning tomorrow.
Liz
a city girl with farm roots
 |
| sunshine |
Posted - Aug 31 2006 : 7:20:22 PM
I was wondering how big are the blossoms before you cook them. Are they tiny tiny or hugh.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| zilzirk |
Posted - Aug 31 2006 : 7:16:42 PM
wow! Thanks Karin :)
I haven't seen the flowers just driving by, but I will take a walk after it stops raining here and see what I can find!
I'll let you know!!
a city girl with farm roots |
| sunshine |
Posted - Aug 30 2006 : 06:43:48 AM
I was telling my husband we were going to get one jar in the mail. We had a long talk about how it was made and all ( long being less than 5 minutes) He thought that was interesting.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Aug 30 2006 : 05:26:59 AM
Hi Liz! I found where I had posted the recipe. No family secret here! Here's the link-
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4947
This is the time of year to get out and pick. Sometimes you have to hunt-and-peck for the blossoms, and other times they are standing proud!
It is really a very easy jelly to make! I hope you try it. Let me know how it turns out!!! 
Karin
PS- To all the KBJ sisters- Your jars will be in the mail tomorrow!! I have been collecting safe packaging for their trip!
K
|
| zilzirk |
Posted - Aug 29 2006 : 7:51:22 PM
Wow- Kudzu jelly! I've never heard of that before!!! I moved to South Carolina last year and was trully amazed at kudzu in real life! I have a big patch just down the street...(is that a redundant to say "big patch" of kudzu?) So, I would love to know how do you make it? I am familair with making jam, but I have never 'steeped' a flower for jelly before! I don't want to intrude on your family recipe, but I would love it if you would post the recipe :)
Liz
a city girl with farm roots |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 8:22:50 PM
I am so excited to get the kudzu jelly...it sounds so different and fun!!
I have never seen it grow anywhere I have lived..but I never lived in the south either.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 5:15:12 PM
I was telling my husband about your kudzu jelly making adventures the other day..and he was amazed that you could actually use that for something like what you are doing. I had to explain to him how you steeped the blossoms and drain them and that even the leaves are used for fabric dyes. Anyhow..he thought it was neat.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| KellyA |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 7:15:24 PM
Y'know, I was watching the Food Network yesterday, and caught Alton Brown's summer series called "Feasting on Asphalt", and he stopped by the side of the road to show Kudzu, and tell how good it was to eat and to make jelly...I had never even heard of kudzu before, and here it is again!! Does it grow up north? What is the flavor of the leaves and the jelly? Can I order the jelly from any catalog?
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
| sunshine |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 3:06:51 PM
to berries
thank you I sent an email
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| berries |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 2:35:06 PM
Hi sunshine, yes, I am the berries who made the strawberries on the quilt for MaryJane. And I did quilt the quilt! I also do pillowcases! Email me privately, and I'll send you a little strawberry emery! I make them to tie on my customers bags when they pick up their quilts! I think they add a little something and looks cute as well! I'd be happy to send one to you!
I have always called myself a (jack of all trades, master of none). I too crochet, I love filet crochet, sew, basket weave, quilt, and make most anything I need. I sew my curtains, dust ruffles, chair covers, and lot's and lot's of pillow cases! Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you with your address!
love, hugs, and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
| Shirley |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 2:14:46 PM
Berries, I am a basketmaker also, been doing it for 20 years.
what is a strawberry emery?
I have been making strawberries out of felted wool, they are stuffed with poyfil and have felt leaves and a stem. and then little black beads sewn on for the seeds. there used for deco or pincushions. there fun to make. they are a pretty good size ,not small.
Am I on the kuzu jelly list?
I thought I was.
shirley |
| sunshine |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 1:28:51 PM
to Berries
Are those the ones that where on the Mj quilt picture. They are just so cute. I like them. I would love to trade you something for them.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| berries |
Posted - Aug 20 2006 : 1:21:22 PM
Why thank you Karin. What can I send you in return! I have some darlin little strawberry emery's I make and put on my customer's quilts. They are little pincushions! And something else I have in mind? Would that work? Email me privately with your address and I get it out! Thanks a bunch!
love, hugs and strawberries, gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
