Last year I remember waddling out to the vines to harvest a few bunches of grapes, pregnant with our son and daughter. Today they watched, eleven months old. It was very emotional for me.
It was a good crop this year. We picked about 20 pounds of grapes, but there are at least five times that amount left unharvested. We hope to make our first batch of concord grape jam with them.
I ordered several preserve books last month and we've been pouring over various recipes to choose from. I really am quite excited to try the jam. Homemade grape jam is described as quite delicious - not at all like the grape jelly one remembers from childhood.
xo
You can read the story of our grapes here.
The grapes look yummy! I'm sure your jam will be very good. I can't believe how big Margaret is getting. She is just precious! Carla
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have such a love for your writing, your gardening, your photos, and your styling. And, as the mother of two sets of twins, I have a particular fondness for your babies. Let me just say: your jacket is wonderful and you look so trim! It is incredible that you ever waddled with twins! Please keep us updated with any delicious grape recipes...and delicious baby pictures. It's all gorgeous.
ReplyDeletehappy to have found your blog! your house is so lovely...both it, and your life in the country are very inspirational!
ReplyDeleteTrop belle les photos
ReplyDeleteje suis l’évolution de votre maison depuis un bout de temps c'est très beau ...
bonne journée
bises , Kate
Love your blog, your beautifull images and what you inspire...
ReplyDeleteWe live in the winelands area of Stellenbosch ,South Africa . There is a west coast tradition to eat " hanepoot" jam which is very sweet little grape with "snoek" a very salty sea water fish, and home made bread.
Enjoy your grape jam...regargds
Col -Afrique du Sud
Trina - I am compelled to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the simple pleasure that reading your blog brings me. I live in a large city and have a horrible, stressful job, so I cherish being able to escape the hustle and bustle of my day and lose myself in the perfection of your beautiful home and gardens. Your family seems so content, and it is just lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteBabies are growing so fast . The grapes look sooooooo good! take care !
ReplyDeleteYum to the jam. Your babies are growing up so quickly!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Amazing how life changes in such a short time!!
ReplyDeleteHow I would love to try some of your homemade grape preserves! I'll bet it will be delicious. Love your photos and keeping up with the growth of your twins!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Trina . . .
ReplyDeleteI awakened this morning to see your post. It is ALWAYS a welcomed sight to see your beautiful children. The authentic, sincere feeling of freshness I receive from my visiting you never changes. I received the fragrance from the grapes all the way to Michigan. Lovely . . . lovely . . .
Love, Lynne
Oh a beautiful life you are living! So wrapped up in nature and beauty and lovely babies. Life is good.....
ReplyDeleteGosh, has it been a year already? The grapes look wonderful. Homemade jam, yum! Margaret is adorable.
ReplyDeleteCan 't wait to hear how the jelly turns out. I've made jams and marmalades, but never grape preserves. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat will you do with the other grapes?
Your jacket is just lovely! The color on you is beautiful. Can I ask where it's from?
ReplyDeleteI harvested our wild concord grapes for the first time last year and used a recipe very similar to this, with great results:
ReplyDeletehttp://comehomeforsupper.blogspot.com/2007/09/wild-grape-jelly.html
Some of them suggest the juice of one lemon, as well, I can't remember if that was in the recipe I used or not. Some recipes suggest that you don't have to remove the stems at all, since you'll be straining out the debris, but I did anyway.
Hope your batch turns out well!
I enjoy your blog, after being sent here by a friend. We have a 1790s farmhouse and I think next year some hydrangeas will be put in the ground.
I can almost taste
ReplyDeletethe sunshine in that
jam....YUMMY. Almost
as yummy as sweet
Margaret!
xx Suzanne
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the grapes will just be composted. If we had more time, we'd love to use them all. We may do one more harvest to freeze, we'll see.
Serena,
I bought the jacket years ago at Marshall's dept store I believe - the tag says Apt9.
Trina
I grew up with concord grape vines behind our house and each fall we would make grape juice (soooo wonderful) and also jam. REAL grape jam is NOTHING like the grocery store grape jelly (which is disgusting) -I suspect you will be delighted! Definitely try it as juice though too and they make a fun and good snack!
ReplyDeleteArchitectDesign
Trina,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog- you are a wonderful photographer. I am on the other side of the country as you, and in a city, and your posts bring a welcome nostalgia of my country childhood. What a great setting for your babies to grow up!
xx
You are living a dram life! I am so happy for you:)))
ReplyDeleteI concur with many other comments - it is truly a delight to read your prose and view your images! NB
ReplyDeleteThose grapes remind me of my grandfather's backyard. I can almost smell them.
ReplyDeleteI adore the baby sweater set. Is it handmade, and if so, do you know what the pattern is? I would love to make one.
Dear Chronic Ennui,
ReplyDeleteThe hat is from the Gap and sweater is Ralph Lauren (both hand-me-downs from my brother's family). I've found wonderful patterns on Etsy though. I wish I could knit myself, it's such a special gift to have!
Trina
Such beautiful photos!!! Love the photo with you and your lovely baby!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear how the grape jam turns out!
Have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Trina, can I just say that you look amazing - very fall-esque - and I think you already know how darling your babies are.
ReplyDeleteGood luck canning.
I can imagine the emotion you felt was overwhelming. I truly appreciate your words, and photo's. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTrina,
ReplyDeleteYour babies are just beautiful as are your grapes. I've been reading your blog for a while and just love it. Here's to hoping we have some babies in our lives real soon too! In the middle of IVF :-)
What beautiful grapes...and basket...and baby! I know your jam will taste delicious. :) There's nothing more satisfying than making your own jam and then slathering it on a piece of whole wheat toast. YUM!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fall!
Gail
Look at all those gorgeous grapes!! Do you make wine also? Your children are precious!
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE LITTLE PUMPKIN! SHE'S SO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteWow lots of grapes ! I love homemade grape juice and my friends have a special kettle for steaming the grapes until all the juice is speperated and then the kettle has a hose with a spout on and it makes it easy to pour directly into canning jars and the best part is you get to chose how much sugar to add ! Heathy & tasty !
ReplyDeleteMy nan used to make Quandong jam. The Quandong is a berry the native Aboriginals eat and it's quite bitter. Pop used to take us out with a bucket and we'd pick them. Gave me heart failure as a child watching nan pour kilos of sugar into the pot to make the jam hahahaha. Unfortunately, it's now illegal to pick them because they're protected, so my kids have never had the opportunity to experience the same joys as I did as a child....can't afford the $50 000 fine! lol
ReplyDeleteHi Trina,
ReplyDeleteThose grapes look amazing and your little one is so cute. I am definitely going to be visiting you often and I am your newest follower.
Well Margaret is a scene stealer. I hardly noticed the grapes! :)
ReplyDeletexo Dianne
Those grapes look yummy!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteYou live in such a beautiful corner of the world!
Kindest regards,
Anna
Your children are going to have such a natural connection with your land and the natural process of things. What a blessing!
ReplyDeletep.s your photos are wonderful
Such a joy to see your adventures living so close to nature :) Love the trim on the jacket too...something about a restrained ruffle that makes my heart go pitter pat.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonder country farm house life. The grape harvest looks awesome! New follower.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about making grape juice? Its very easy and we make it every year from our Concord grapes and its probably the favorite thing that we can.
ReplyDelete20 pounds! What a great crop - that's a lot of jam. Margaret and Graham are so cute!!
ReplyDeletexo E + J
Trina, I literally want to eat up all of your posts- including your sweetie pie babies!! They are soooooo cute!!! You look beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Lauren
The combination of your gorgeous jacket and the grapes is just beautiful!!! It makes me want to consider a pumpkin & grape palette...it does!
ReplyDeleteI bet next year Margaret & Graham will be helping to harvest those grapes and will acquire belly's full in the process...what a fun and special life you are giving them!
Hugs...
xo J~
The sweetest family blog I've ever visited! Wanting to come over at your place and walk at your yar, chat in front of the fire place, drink a hot tea...aaah... life is so much better away from the city! Well I'm your newest follower, just found your blog. I'm a new blogger myself. Want to pay a visit? (www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com). I'd be honoured to see you around at my place and if you find interesting to have you as my member too!
ReplyDeleteLove to you & your lovely family,
Olga
www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com
As always, beautifully styled. You will cherish these vintage photos for years to come.
ReplyDeletepve
Our favourite thing with the concord grapes was grape pie. Sadly we don't have a vine any more, but we still manage to find the grapes at the market so we can get at least 1 pie for thanksgiving. Very tart but soooo delicious!
ReplyDeleteoh gosh your baby is so sweet!! those grapes look delish as well
ReplyDelete