What have you been doing today?

[judydawn]

Your life does seem hectic Katie. 
I don’t suppose that lady would give you her cumquat jam recipe Chookie?  It must have been really good if it was better than yours.
I think I only have 1 more Christmas outing to come then I can relax for the last week.

[achookwoman]

Judy, we did swap recipes. I make most of my jam as jelly as the kids don’t like pips or lumps.
Katie, you are busy. Which school does DD. Board at. My GC attend Ballarat Grammar. GS often has a boarder home for the weekend.

[K Atie]

Chilidh I did have a quite time at home this morning . Too hectic for me too but kids were super hot this arvo so after filling the whole car with DD gear we went out for arvo snack  . Chookie at Hamilton College . Cumquat is my favorite. All home DH out the back harvesting, we can here him . A few fires up our way but not close to us . Hate the fire season , as we were endlessly packing DD today a family's property was 500 metres from one of the fires , hoping they are OK as it is under control now .

[djinni373]

I don’t suppose that lady would give you her cumquat jam recipe Chookie?  It must have been really good if it was better than yours.

I would be very interested in this recipe too. My cumquat jam has never been a family favourite 

[Cornish Cream]

Blimey KAtie you are busy 

I only ever see cumquats forsale in January so will lookout for them especially if you have a good recipe for jam Chookie

[achookwoman]

Cumquat Jam.
I cover the Cumquat with water and simmer them until the skin is very soft.
Then I put the lot through the Mouli. This removes the pips but retains the flavour of the skins.
Then 3/4 cup of sugar for each cup of pulp.
Add juice of a lemon to help setting.
If not setting well I then add a packet of jam setta

The lady  at Trotters cafe does the labour intensive method.
Simmers the Cumquats
Keeps the liquid aside.
Squashes the Cumquats and keeps the skins aside. These she cuts finely with a knife.
Removes pips from flesh.
Put liquid, pulp and skins and sugar back in pot and cook.
I have also done this method. Usually takes all day.

[achookwoman]

Katie, lucky DD to be at such a good school.

[mab19]

Katie, you certainly have a very busy life.

The family will arrive home this evening so today is our last day house sitting and animal sitting.   

[djinni373]

Thank you for the cumquat jam recipes Chookie. Got them in Paprika for next cumquat season

I have also done this method. Usually takes all day.

Wow that method would take a long time. Definitely a labour of love. Probably not an option for me though.

[cookie1]

I'm not a fan of citrus jams/marmalades. In fact I now try to steer clear of all jams. I do have a smear on my bread though. Just to get the taste. I still have some plum jam from last year. I've made strawberry and I hope to make some cherry if I can find some cherries that aren't $20/kg.

[Cornish Cream]

Cumquat Jam.
I cover the Cumquat with water and simmer them until the skin is very soft.
Then I put the lot through the Mouli. This removes the pips but retains the flavour of the skins.
Then 3/4 cup of sugar for each cup of pulp.
Add juice of a lemon to help setting.
If not setting well I then add a packet of jam setta

The lady  at Trotters cafe does the labour intensive method.
Simmers the Cumquats
Keeps the liquid aside.
Squashes the Cumquats and keeps the skins aside. These she cuts finely with a knife.
Removes pips from flesh.
Put liquid, pulp and skins and sugar back in pot and cook.
I have also done this method. Usually takes all day.

Thanks Chookie

[K Atie]

Life is hectic but it seems I am not the only one . Nice drive to Melbourne with DD . A little shopping and then helped DB who has had major shoulder surgery a few weeks ago , he finds doing anything painfull . We cut up his roast chook , DM had left him - how he was going to do that I am not sure . Cooked some veg and DD emptied dishwasher . Lucky I came down at least Mum can have a break . Really when you realize that he cooked a steak the night before then looked at it and had to get a pair of scissors to cut it up ( do laugh please as it is funny too) but this even hurts his shoulder . All good he just has to be patient.

[achookwoman]

Katie, that made me laugh about the scissors and steak. Quite creative, really. Or was it desperate?
How about a chopper for the chicken.  That’s what the Chinese do.
Yesterday I made some rolls but forgot to add the yeast. Just dissolved some yeast in warm water and gave in an additional 2 minutes in TMX. I used some malted grain. Nice flavour.
Might attack the veggie garden today.

[judydawn]

The poor chap Katie, even the most simple tasks would be difficult for him.  I hope he recovers quickly enough to enjoy his Christmas lunch.  He is lucky to have a supportive family.

[cookie1]

Oh Katie, the poor thing. I think I would have just picked it up and eaten it.

We had a lovely surprise this morning as friends who had been travelling in their van phoned to see if we were home and called round. We had a lovely evening out last night. I wanted to be home early as I was tired, however when I glanced at my watch it was already 11.34pm.