Mimi wrote:
> <snip> . . . and I hate all of you in zone 5 or higher. <snip>
>
> <snip> You must really hate me Dave, USDA zone 9b. <snip>
>
> Okay, I am in zone 8b so Dave hates you more George than he hates me.
>
> But, then, he probably hates us both.
> : - )
>
> My herb garden is growing steadily. Really should be doing more
> harvesting and drying right now. My Hun Bun salvaged some wood fence
> material from a job he did and made the raised beds look fabulous--and
> very sturdy!!!
>
> Only got 2½ gallons of dewberries. We were so busy with work, life,
> that we didn't get out to pick as much as I wanted to.
> : - (
>
> Coming to the end of working at home for the past two weeks. Cranked
> out three batches of smooth fig jam last week when work was slow.
> This second week I've had more to do so, not much getting done around
> the "old homestead". Made my Dad happy though--mailed him enough to
> see him through for a while. He *loves* fig jam.
>
> I've been promised muscadine grapes from a friend with 30+ acres of
> land. Went and checked on the pears and figs at our *new* friends
> place last weekend. They are lookin' good. Praying that I have the
> time and energy to keep up with all of it when the time comes. Still
> plan on picking mustang grapes on the 4th of July.
>
> Amazon has remarkable timing. I ordered "The Joy of Jams, Jellies,
> and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes
> Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits" by Linda Ziedrich.
> It arrived the weekend before the two weeks of working at home. I
> feel like a school kid on vacation--I get to stay up a bit later than
> I would if I had to go into the office so, been reading until I can't
> keep my eyes open in bed every night. I like the book. Lots of good
> tips / ideas and I am probably going to try the carrot-apple butter.
> Hmmm . . . I wonder if pears would be a suitable substitute for the
> apples???

I sub pears for apples all the time, hardly any apple trees in this
area, to hot for them I guess. Every where the recipe says "apples" put
in "pears."
>
> I also got "Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for Putting Up
> Small Batches of Seasonal Foods" by Eugenia Bone. Haven't really
> looked at it too much, just a thumb-through so far and nothing grabbed
> my attention.
>
> Shalom Y'all from Mimi in USDA Zone 8b
> : - )