There is nothing like a good meal or scrumptious dessert to show and share your love. Even the sheer act of preparing food with another can bring two souls closer and the meal all the more delicious...
If you were here, I would invite you in and offer you some tea...and perhaps something sweet. What dessert do you prefer? I love a good cranberry scone with my tea...but perhaps you would opt for a slice of cake or a brownie? Perhaps you have a more refined palette and would prefer some crème brulée?
Or maybe some Blackberry and Sour Cherry Jam and bread? Like from this recipe card, circa the early 1950's, that I used in this collage piece a few months back...
I wonder how many ladies prepared this jam for family and friends...
Regardless of what you would choose, I know that we would have a fine time...filled with laughter, good conversation and the sharing of friendship...
Let us partake of it together.
{"Let us partake of it together" original collage available here on Etsy, $38 US}
And for those of you who might feel brave and want to try this recipe {I haven't myself, so I cannot vouch for it. I am not sure about "paraffin" in cooking...so I will leave that to those in-the-know when it comes to jams} here is the recipe...
BLACKBERRY AND SOUR CHERRY JAM {circa 1950's}
4 cups prepared fruit
7 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 bottle fruit pectin
Crush thoroughly about 1 quart fully ripe blackberries
Stem and pit about 1 1/2 pounds fully ripe sour cherries. Chop fine, combine fruits and measure 4 cups into a very large saucepan. Add sugar to fruit in saucepan and mix well. Place over high heat, bring to a full rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and at once stir in bottled fruit pectin. Then stir and skim by turns for 5 minutes to cool slightly, to prevent floating fruit. Ladle quickly into glasses. Paraffin at once.
Makes about 11 6-ounce glasses.
And for those of you interested in more vintage recipe cards...I currently offer them bundled in sets of ten...also currently available on Etsy, $7 US per set.
Till next time...
Hi Alice,
Love your new creation!!
No jelly for me, I would love a chocolate brownie with my cup of tea...
Love Patricia
Posted by: Patricia | January 31, 2010 at 04:09 AM
Oh this Jam recipe sounds delicious! I will have to give it a try. As for the parafin ~ if you aren't familliar with using it ~ it was melted in a pan and poured over the just filled jars on top of the jam or jelly to seal in freshness. My grandmother often did this with small batches of jams and jellies when she did not have canning lids with bands or the rubber seals for the glass top jars with the wire bales.
I remember thinking how fun it was pushing down on one edge of the hardened parafin disc to hear the pop the parafin seal to get to the surprise below.
Thanks for the memories this morning ~ I'll let you know how the jam is when I try the recipe out! Have a great day ~ Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | January 31, 2010 at 07:03 AM
Hello Alice... oooh, I would so love to visit with you and have a cranberry scone and tea, then a brownie and tea, then a piece of cake and tea... (we would have alot to talk about!) the collage you made is beautiful! My mama always sealed her jams and jellies with parafin wax. Back then, it cost alot less than lids and rings and seems like most ladies sealed theirs that way... that brings back so many memories of watching my mama melt the wax and pour it on top...hope you are enjoying your new home... love to you, kisses Renoir! xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie Vicknair | January 31, 2010 at 07:28 AM
your collage is lovely. i love making jam. i've only tried strawberry & blueberry. i love those old recipe cards, so sweet. it does make you wonder about those who held them before you, doesn't it?
Posted by: susan | January 31, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Alice this is the most delightful piece!! Love the embellies, really makes you want to create Jam from scratch and pour over some warm scones with cream!!
So glad you are getting settled!! Renoir is the most precious sweetie and he seems to be enjoying the view!! xOxO Nerina
Posted by: Nerina | January 31, 2010 at 11:10 AM
My maternal grandmother used to make her own jellies & jams...they were yummy. I always wished I had asked her to teach me how to make them. The collage is really sweet:)
Posted by: Leah C | January 31, 2010 at 05:54 PM
Hi Alice,
I have tons of these old recipe cards and books too....one of those things I could just never pass up at yard sales, etc....did one funny art project with a hot dog and baked bean recipe...hoping to do some more projects with them soon! I made my own plum preserves once...a looonnnggg time ago! I'm itching for the day...a few weeks from now when I will have time on my side! Take care, Laura :)
Posted by: Laura | January 31, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Dear Alice,
thanks for your lovely comment... I would like to give the compliment back, your blog is adorable and soooo romantic. Have a great week and many time for the beautiful things in live...
Many warm greetings from Germany
Bine
Posted by: Bine by Beldecor | February 01, 2010 at 02:27 AM
Hi Alice I love very much your new creation!
Wonderful pictures as always!
Have a nice week
Posted by: bleudelavande | February 01, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Dear Alice,
Your collage is just beautiful! You are so creative! It would be wonderful to have tea and scones with you sweetie!!!! I am glad you are getting settled in your new home. I am sure you will find your dream home soon. You will have this place looking gorgeous in no time! Renior looks adorable in his basket atop the dresser! I loved seeing the beautiful photos of your lovely Christmas decorating. I love all the white! Thank you for the inspiration you always share. Blessings to you dear friend! Keep warm!!!
Love, Paula
Posted by: Paula | February 01, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Lovely collage, just perfect! I haven't visited your blog in a while, just got busy I guess. I am so glad to be back!
Hugs,
Amada
Posted by: Amada Lebel | February 01, 2010 at 02:57 PM
Tea and a scone sounds perfect. I never met a scone I didn't like but I am rather particular about the jam or curd. The jam has to be strawberry. The curd can be lemon or strawberry.
Your collage is lovely.
Posted by: Elaine | February 01, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Oh Alice your recipe card collage is so lovely!!! You always make the most beautiful things...and take such incredible photos! Have fun decorating your new home!
:) T
Posted by: tracey | February 02, 2010 at 12:32 PM
ok honey your making me feel real old, wasn't long ago we used parafin to seal the jam jars, I think your Uncle Danny still does, and believe it or not Elaine puts parafin in her chocolate to dip her peanut butter balls in for for Christmas. Wax tastes good! hahahaha
LOVE YOU
MOM
Posted by: Janine | February 02, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Alice, that is such a lovely piece. If I had tea with you, I would choose a cranberry scone. I love scones, especially cranberry ones.
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | February 02, 2010 at 06:40 PM
GORGEOUS photos..as always!!
Sarah
Posted by: Joy For the Journey | February 02, 2010 at 07:21 PM
There is something about food that brings people together good conversation good food and good people. When we are having a family get together the first question is what food will we have or with friends what food will we have and then everything else seems to fall in place.
Posted by: Debra | February 02, 2010 at 08:10 PM
How about a visit with tea and brownies? But I'm easy... this jam with a fresh baked scone sounds so wonderful. What a beautiful way to showcase a treasured recipe!
Posted by: Cindy | February 02, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Hi Alice,
I would love anything with sour cherries, one of my all time favorites and of course, I could spend days chatting with you! Another beautiful creation from you and your photography always shines. (Missed you, Renoir Boof! Zeke)
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | February 02, 2010 at 11:53 PM