I slowed things down a bit this morning. Coffee in hand, I surveyed my gardens and then focused on the grapes. We have six ancient grapevines at Plume Gables; a combination of white and concords. I’ve always wondered where the flavor of grape Popsicles came from until last August when I tasted a ripe concord grape off one of the vines. I nearly died. The flavor leaped out of the skin of the fruit and rolled over my tongue in waves. I remember feeling like my eyes were going to pop out of my head.
The time grows near.
Soon I’ll harvest the grapes and the second annual jelly and jam making soiree will commence.
Do you remember last year when I made batches upon batches of jellies and jams?
Oh I remember!
I’m STILL remembering, on toast with butter nearly every single morning.
There’s nothing I can think of, nothing so earthy, nothing so flawless in its skin, as a grape. Their suits look like velvet. Their fruit firm and vivacious. Growing in perfect little families. Hidden beneath leaves and tendrils.
I can’t wait to pick them, squish them, boil them, strain them, boil them again and then can them for a delicious confection I’ll enjoy for another entire year.
Don’t even get me started on the plum trees.
They look fantastically promising as well.
A shop update in an hour or so birdlings. Sit tight!
XO
PLUME
:::EDIT:::
Thanks for your support today! I appreciate it very much. Sharlee is packing and shipping for me tomorrow night and all orders will go to the post office Friday morning before I leave town.
Thanks also for your fantastic convos, emails and comments today. Yeesh. You’re all so great…individually and as the great sweeping field you make when you stand together.
All my love,
J
Plumeroo, I am so enjoying the decadent grape jelly that Joe brought back from Pocatello. we sent a package your way, hope it is wheeling its way towards your home. ms munk
Would you send me a jar of the stuff once the jelly has been… jellied? I have in my mind an idea of how it must taste but I feel like I must know for sure. 🙂
I love you lady. Today and always.
PS LOVE that ring. Beaded corduroy – GAH!
Emmers.
oh that sounds so yummy!!! We make wine with grapes.. just grapes and I wish i could send some your way.. and trade jelly for wine?!
oh yum!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful day.
You should sell jelly in your shop! I know I'd buy a jar. ; )
I certainly, most certainly do remember, and I was so praying that I would win your jar of jelly. Alas, alas, my jelly companion is Mr Smucker, whom I am acquainted with (if you recall). And so I empty a jar of Smuckers into my belly every week…can you tell I love toast and jelly with my coffee. Lovely purple you are wearing Plumella…very lovely purple indeed!
xoxo
Fear Not My Femme Fatals!!! There SHALL be a jelly and jam drawing on this blog in the near future!!!!!!!!! If I didn't share a bit of it, I'd be a truly horrid and beastly little person indeed!
Ok, first let me say that it is such a joy to read your postings. I treasure the few free moments in my crazy office workday to hop on over to your blog and get my fix of Plume Gables and YOU! 🙂 I must say, I LOVE your outfit…is that a dress??? It is fabulous and you wear it VERY well! And don't even get me started on that ring! I'm with Emily — it is fabulous, beaded corduroy (<–is that how that's spelled..it looks funny!) and all. 🙂 Hope you had a beautiful day!
Rachael
aka. fleurdelis816
PS. I'm salivating at the thought of homemade jams and jellies. As soon as I learn to teleport I shall pop on over to Plume Gables to try some!
Love that ring, I mean grape, I mean ringrape
GUFFAW!!!
PS…just noticing the size of those leaves, your hand next to the leaf! Wow! These leaves are huge…prehistoric dimensions!!!
x
… so are we going to see some little purple clusters in upcoming jewellery artwork?
PS Fleur, that's actually a dress AND a blouse…worn together as a high waisted skirt and blouse.
Dale: Oh probably!
Little Jeans: I know! I'm trying to make friends with someone who is Greek so they can use my grape leaves for….that stuff…what's it called???
Dolmades! Mmm greek food!
Grapes are my weakness. In the summers my mother would bring grapes home from the grocer all the time, and my father and I would compete and see who could get their paws on the first crunchy sweet tasty morsels! I obviously get my love of fruits from him!
Your garden is incredible – I yearn for a little plot of earth to grow veggies and fruits ( oh the woes of living in an apartment!)
-Jaime
very nice about the grapes, sounds delish and juicy… trying to show your dress as well?? ;0)
…ooOOoo…purple & green…with a splash of red…
something's cookin…
Dolmades… as Bella knows. I know I can find a delicious recipe.
xo
Someone SEND me that recipe so that I can get something cooking (as Nancy says…..)!
So lush, green on green. The photos feel like breathing clean air. Synesthesia.
Not only are Concord grapes delicious, they're also really, really good for you!
(Has anyone here noticed a gender difference in responses to "It's good for you." – ? Or is a vehement knee-jerk negative reaction on the part of some males an Austrian thing?)
Oooh, my sister started today's joyous responses…that's fun! She was quite excited about your jam — well, I would like to say YOUR outfit knocks my socks off! The kind of outfit that makes everybody on their porches light up a little with intrigue: Where goes that glowing vermillion and currant lady ? What a combo of sophistication and bohemian softness!
And also…would LOVE to see fruit work its way into your designs…how fitting that something so ebulliant and juicy should emanate from your creations..
Dear Plume…the velvet juices of those Concord grapes are rolling over my tongue right now…your words have brought back the intense memories of my first sip of Concord delight. Would love to see the designs in your work, too!
The post that made me fall for you and your love blog had to do with our garden(ing skills).
I believe it was sometime last year.
You were doing something with plums… canning… preserves. Something wonderful.
And I've been coming back ever since.
1. suit-wearing grapes! all sleek in their velvety softness…..I will eat one now to experience the suit phenomena
and yes, the suit description fits the tasty Concord goodness (could use a bit more time in the sun for absolute perfection)
2. I love so much the idea of all the fabulous Plume-ettes standing in a great gaggle swaying to the wind in homage to our beloved NP. Now THAT would be something beautiful.
oh and p.s. it is a very good sign to see milk in your coffee. the week is moving along splendidly.
ehhhh hummm…
Taddy! You have concords too!!!!!!!!! Oh I love you. And Sean, your testosterone is welcome here. Always.
XO (platonic of course)
Mmmmm, yes, testosterone mixes so quite delightfully with estrogen…
Two friends have been making mass quantities of delectable Marillenmarmelade (apricot preserves) from the trees at their little house in the Czech countryside, and I was just given several jars! Wish I could swap one for Concord grape jelly.
oh Sean. I failed to mention that the guy section(including the Mr. in this family who enjoys the Plume Times)would be softly rapping out a rhythm on handmade deerskin drums(a most manly job) while the other half gently swayed to the beat. just like a musical, cool eh? mmm hmmmm. a very important job for the plume-misters INDEED.
EGAD, I am in love with that ring!! And it went quicker than a whipper-snipper!
And, oy, have I been craving peanut butter (well, almond butter) and jam for the last week or so…it would be, oh, SOOOOO very delectable tasting with HOMEMADE jam!! Oh dear me! 🙂