Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Our Annual Grape Harvest

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. 
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48 comments:

  1. Southern LadyNovember 9, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    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

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  2. RachelNovember 10, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    You 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.

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  3. SLRNovember 10, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    happy to have found your blog! your house is so lovely...both it, and your life in the country are very inspirational!

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  4. kateNovember 10, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Trop belle les photos
    je suis l’évolution de votre maison depuis un bout de temps c'est très beau ...
    bonne journée
    bises , Kate

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  5. La BrocanteuseNovember 10, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    Love your blog, your beautifull images and what you inspire...
    We 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

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  6. LisaNovember 10, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    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.

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  7. andyNovember 10, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Babies are growing so fast . The grapes look sooooooo good! take care !

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  8. JoyceNovember 10, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Yum to the jam. Your babies are growing up so quickly!

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  9. leahNovember 10, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Thanks for sharing! Amazing how life changes in such a short time!!

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  10. My Little BungalowNovember 10, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    How 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!
    Claudia

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  11. LynneNovember 10, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Trina . . .
    I 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

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  12. Cindy @ a curious gardenerNovember 10, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Oh a beautiful life you are living! So wrapped up in nature and beauty and lovely babies. Life is good.....

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  13. Simply LKJNovember 10, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Gosh, has it been a year already? The grapes look wonderful. Homemade jam, yum! Margaret is adorable.

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  14. heather @ newhouse, newhome, new lifeNovember 10, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Can 't wait to hear how the jelly turns out. I've made jams and marmalades, but never grape preserves. Have fun.

    What will you do with the other grapes?

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  15. SerenaNovember 10, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Your jacket is just lovely! The color on you is beautiful. Can I ask where it's from?

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  16. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I harvested our wild concord grapes for the first time last year and used a recipe very similar to this, with great results:
    http://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.

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  17. Privet and HollyNovember 10, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I can almost taste
    the sunshine in that
    jam....YUMMY. Almost
    as yummy as sweet
    Margaret!

    xx Suzanne

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  18. CatherineNovember 10, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Hi Heather,
    The 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

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  19. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    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!
    ArchitectDesign

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  20. A Cinnamon GirlNovember 10, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Trina,
    I 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

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  21. lizziefitzNovember 10, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    You are living a dram life! I am so happy for you:)))

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  22. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    I concur with many other comments - it is truly a delight to read your prose and view your images! NB

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  23. Chronic EnnuiNovember 10, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Those grapes remind me of my grandfather's backyard. I can almost smell them.

    I adore the baby sweater set. Is it handmade, and if so, do you know what the pattern is? I would love to make one.

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  24. CatherineNovember 10, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Dear Chronic Ennui,
    The 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

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  25. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Such beautiful photos!!! Love the photo with you and your lovely baby!!
    I can't wait to hear how the grape jam turns out!
    Have a lovely day.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  26. the growers daughterNovember 10, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Trina, can I just say that you look amazing - very fall-esque - and I think you already know how darling your babies are.

    Good luck canning.

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  27. AnonymousNovember 10, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    I can imagine the emotion you felt was overwhelming. I truly appreciate your words, and photo's. They are beautiful.

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  28. Dee StephensNovember 10, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Trina,
    Your 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 :-)

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  29. GailNovember 10, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    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!

    Happy Fall!
    Gail

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  30. GwendolynKayNovember 10, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Look at all those gorgeous grapes!! Do you make wine also? Your children are precious!
    Blessings~

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  31. An Urban CottageNovember 10, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE LITTLE PUMPKIN! SHE'S SO CUTE!

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  32. Photography by EstherNovember 10, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Wow 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 !

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  33. KarenNovember 10, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    My 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

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  34. ChrissyNovember 11, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Hi Trina,
    Those 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.

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  35. AnonymousNovember 11, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Well Margaret is a scene stealer. I hardly noticed the grapes! :)
    xo Dianne

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  36. FancyNovember 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Those grapes look yummy!

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  37. Bokcaféet i bynNovember 11, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Lovely, lovely photos!
    You live in such a beautiful corner of the world!
    Kindest regards,
    Anna

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  38. Julianna FarmerNovember 12, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Your children are going to have such a natural connection with your land and the natural process of things. What a blessing!

    p.s your photos are wonderful

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  39. Trish BannerNovember 12, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    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.

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  40. life just sayingNovember 12, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Sounds like a wonder country farm house life. The grape harvest looks awesome! New follower.

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  41. Jordan and JandeeNovember 13, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Have 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.

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  42. AnonymousNovember 13, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    20 pounds! What a great crop - that's a lot of jam. Margaret and Graham are so cute!!
    xo E + J

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  43. LaurenNovember 14, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Trina, I literally want to eat up all of your posts- including your sweetie pie babies!! They are soooooo cute!!! You look beautiful too!
    Xoxo,
    Lauren

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  44. 24 CornersNovember 14, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    The combination of your gorgeous jacket and the grapes is just beautiful!!! It makes me want to consider a pumpkin & grape palette...it does!
    I 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~

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  45. Olga@stardustNovember 15, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    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!
    Love to you & your lovely family,
    Olga
    www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com

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  46. pve designNovember 15, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    As always, beautifully styled. You will cherish these vintage photos for years to come.
    pve

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  47. JenniferNovember 15, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    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!

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  48. whitney - see shop eat doNovember 18, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    oh gosh your baby is so sweet!! those grapes look delish as well

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine