Thursday, November 4, 2010

Concord Grapes



I waddled out to the grape vines with Hubby early this morning. I had to lean over quite a bit to find my boots in the beautiful autumn confetti.


The grapes are finally ripe after several months of hot summer sunshine and crisp fall air.



While Hubby searched through the curly vines for bright purple clusters, I documented our fall harvest tradition with photographs (which is another way of saying, I watched).


We only picked a colander's worth because we plan on making smoothies with them in the blender. Our plan to make wine and jam...well, it will have to wait until next year. We're using all of our extra time to prepare for the babies.

But the grapes freeze really well. I pluck them from their stems, wash and lay them out to dry. When dry, I put them in zip lock freezer bags and freeze them. They're easy to dip into for smoothies throughout the year.

46 comments :

  1. Frozen grapes are a wonderful snack too! I am jealous that you get then fresh off of the vine. Lucky you.
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yum! Frozen grapes! And your cute little baby-bump is great too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ummm,could you two get any cuter? i think not.

    love
    j

    ReplyDelete
  4. You look wonderful!

    The grapes look pretty good too -

    ReplyDelete
  5. grapes!! i love it!!~_~ oh... btw, nice house! i just love the hammock under the tree..:)
    i'm following you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sending a sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm. What beautiful photos - you look very elegant even in the boots! Thanks for sharing and enjoy those delicious looking grapes! Ciao, bella!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful pictures!
    I had concord grapes growing in my yard when we moved in. Never thought to make smoothies of mine. I tasted them because they smelled so sweet, but couldn't quite enjoy the taste.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Concord grapes are delicious,but the seeds are annoying. Can you use the grape leaves for stuffed grape leaves?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Autumn confetti- you have a way with words, and with grapes.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  10. YOU are as ripe and gorgeous as those concord grapes!

    What else do you put in your yumilicious smoothies??

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those grapes look delicious!

    Lovely photos! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those are beautiful pictures, and fresh grapes are delicious... enjoy!

    -Mary

    ReplyDelete
  13. Makes me hungry just looking at those wonderful grapes. And to be able to pick them off the vine, must be wonderful! Kit

    ReplyDelete
  14. The grapes look yummy! I love the picture of your feet! Your little ones are growing, I can tell. Carla

    ReplyDelete
  15. wow- your very own grapes! how exciting. I love frozen grapes- yum.
    you look adorable Trina! pregnancy becomes you my friend;)!

    xo,
    joan

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful! I love your farmhouse so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are beautiful pictures, kind of jealous of your fast access to grape vines!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You look so beautiful!
    Your grapes bring back happy memories of making juice with my Grandmother. She had a simple recipe. You add 1 cup of washed grapes (off of the stems) into a sterile quart jar. Then you add 1/2 cup of sugar. You fill the jar with boiling water, leaving a half inch space at the top. Add a sterile lid and process in the water bath for 10 minutes. After 2 weeks you can pour through a colander to strain out the whole grapes and enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. How sweet is that belly?! So cute :) Frozen grapes remind me of my childhood...

    ReplyDelete
  20. GORGEOUS! Oh to have a vineyard! your life looks beautiful.

    I have recently posted some of my husbands hindiworks, and photography, I wouldlove some company! Come visit!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love posts like these. It makes me laugh how much your husband reminds me of mine.

    We have grapes at our farm, as well, but they need serious help. I would love to hear of some more great tips for maintaining a "vineyard." If you ever want to guest-post on my blog (after the babies are here!), I would love to have you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have to say I never thought of putting frozen grapes in a smoothie...makes perfect sense and sounds delicious!

    The grapes are beautiful...and so are you! :)
    xo J~

    btw- It was 75* here yesterday!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Such a cute pic of your belly over the boots in the leaves! I can't get over all the great stuff that you two harvest, it's truly inspiring.
    xoxo~
    T

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the fall pictures and the grapes! Best wishes with your growing family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Try frozen grapes with water (as ice cubes). You have to try it!

    XOXO,
    Lyndsey Bowman

    ReplyDelete
  26. You look sooooooo cute! Can't wait to see those precious babies! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. You and your husband are so cute, Trina. I love visiting your blog. I am excited to see photos of your nursery -- and can't wait to see your new babies! Wishing you all the best.
    Claudia N.

    ReplyDelete
  28. how adorable are you and your belly! We have concord grapes - and because I'm tired by late fall - we make juice and can it for the year. But darn - your idea is very clever and even easier!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would have a hard time not eating them straight from the freezer - yum! hope you are feeling well!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Everything looks so pretty there!
    I've always wanted to have grape vines but alas, we're not in a place where that can happen yet. But someday!
    P.S. The chunky sweater and T was my favorite look while pregnant. But that little hat is the icing on the cake! So cute and perfect for the weather!

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a fun morning! And you look amazing! : )

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just think who will be enjoying your smoothies in a year! Love the picture of your belly, I mean boots! You look beautiful...enjoy the last quiet days!
    ~ Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  33. Y'all have had such a wonderful bounty from your property this year. Thanks so much for sharing the beautiful pics with us.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Look at you!! And your little bump, out there picking grapes!!! SO cute! That photo's a keeper!

    ReplyDelete
  35. love that picture of those babies growing in your belly!

    the grapes are beautiful, too!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ah, Concord grapes, developed a short distance from me in beautiful Concord, MA. I didn't know that they froze, I think I'll pop over to my hubby's cousin's (they live next to Concord) and pick some of their grapes for my freezer! Have a nice weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I really don't know how you guys do all that you do. My kids love to freeze grapes (that I buy not grow) and eat them frozen.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Sweetie - I can't imagine you waddling at all, you are far too elegant for that even with those 2 little visitors in your tummy!
    Millie ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great blog with quality pictures and detail.

    ReplyDelete
  40. What beautiful photos, I can hardly wait to see those babies. You and your husband will make great parents. Love the idea of the frozen grapes. Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  41. You and hubby are just adorable in these photos! And what a bounty of goodness! We picked our grapes early this fall and I juiced them to put in our homemade wine. Soooo good! Love the frozen grape idea, though! :)

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  42. By some delightful twist of fate I found your blog. I am such a fan of your style and lovely manner. What a treat!

    ReplyDelete
  43. You two are the cutest! The grapes look fabulous too. Almost time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. You and your tummy look WONDERFUL Trina!
    Love your hat by the way. I miss the concord grapes we used to buy in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia...we just don't get that kind of produce much here in Kansas. Next year will be very busy for you but I'm sure you'll have lots of help when you need it from the Grandmothers etc. What a great way to preserve your grapes....bet those smoothies are delicious! Maura :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...