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Reminder & Addendum

I just want to remind everyone that sour cherry season is right around the corner.  I've been combing the farmers markets for these delicious fruits so that I can bake a pie very soon.  Sour cherries are here for only a very short period of time, and depending on where you live, they may be available as soon as mid-June.  

Last year I was only able to get a couple of quarts of these fruits because someone beat me to the majority of the crop on the day I was at the market.  I'm determined not to let that happen this year!


This is what I love this time of year.  The bright cherries look so stunning sitting here on a milk glass cake stand in my kitchen, but rest assured, they don't last for more than an afternoon.

After I pit them, I mix the fruits with simple ingredients such as sugar, cinnamon & cornstarch or tapioca starch.  I make sure not waste one precious drop of juice as I'm pitting them.

Cherry Pie anyone?  This pie sitting here on an old-style wire cooling rack on the kitchen counter, was made last year.  I will make another in the next few weeks.

Consider this a little reminder to keep your eyes peeled for tart cherries the next time you're at the farmers market.  Don't hesitate to buy some.  Make a pie, bake a tart or make some jam to put up.  You're going to love using sour cherries.


As I was walking up the driveway this morning, I noticed that the numerous wild raspberry canes which grow rampantly throughout the grounds were getting ready to bear their fruit.  I'm not too fastidious about picking every single berry near the house, because I realize the wildlife has to eat, but I do enjoy some of it.

Nothing is better than picking a fresh raspberry that is still warm from sitting in the sun and popping it into your mouth.  The berries here are small, tart and concentrated with flavor.  

We sometimes eat them with our yogurt or add them to a fancy tart like the one above.  This particular tart was a simple pate brisee filled with a decadent creme patissiere which had fresh raspberries strewn on top.  

Delicious!!

Jadeite Addendum

As I was putting together the story for Collecting Jadeite last month, as you know, I asked a few people to share their images with me.  My friend, David Bondarchuck, had told me awhile back that he had a set of 14 Martha by Mail jadeite turkey dishes at home.  Naturally I wanted images of them and I finally have some to share with you!

David keeps these jadeite turkeys on top of his kitchen cabinets.

A small army of turkeys.


When Martha by Mail was selling "Martha's Green Glass", the jadeite turkey played a prominent role in their catalog & online advertising.  It's wonderful that David managed to acquire a collection of them. 

You can see the variations in color from turkey to turkey.  The ones in the front have a deeper jade tone to them, as opposed to the ones in the back which have a softer green shade.

A nice collection of Martha by Mail jadeite.  Thank You David!!

Comments

  1. JanetJune 8, 2013 at 10:25 PM

    I don't even know what to say...

    It's going to take me a while to get over seeing these photos... What an amazing collection!!!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Things by DavidJune 10, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Haha!

    Yes, those turkeys are pretty amazing. I wish I had a whole set of them. Arrg! One of those MBM items that one should have ordered when there was a chance.

    ReplyDelete

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