Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

Moorviews

Foxgloves, I hope Mr F is being a good nurse and giving you plenty of TLC over the weekend. 

@Sun_Addict - Thank you, it’s good to know about your success with later sowing of aubergine seeds. Holidays are always tricky if you are a gardener!

Scandimore, my sympathy to you too with pain, I hope you get some respite from it soon. 

foxgloves

@Makingabobor2 - No need to buy a jam thermometer. I do have one, but didn't acquire it until I was about 50.....& I've been making jam since I was 12. If you don't have a preserving pan, keep an eye out in charity shops as I've seen them on sale there a few times. And you need a long-handled wooden spoon. And if you want to be ready for this year's blackberry & apple jam, start saving jam jars.
All you need do to check that your jam has reached setting point is the 'saucer test' & the 'flake test'.
F x

Makingabobor2

Ooh thanks for the tips FG, yes I will keep my eye open for a pan and get my DD to start saving some jars for me as well. Think with a family of 4 kids, she may get through a few more jars than we do...lol

foxgloves

Thanks for your well-wishes. I really haven't felt well this weekend. Mr F has been very good at looking after me. I didn't do anything yesterday except read, doze & start another genealogy project..Today I felt I could do with moving about a bit more, so I've been down to spend a sunny hour in the greenhouse. I've watered all the seedlings & potted up 10 baby pepper plants. Mr F took advantage of the dry weather by getting out in the garden early. He's cleared & dug over a veg bed & planted shallots, then weeded the October-sown garlic.
I'm heading for a nice hot bath & hair wash soon, but am currently enjoying reading in our lounge window with the sun pouring through.
It's too hot for Soot! He's had to jump down from the windowsill & go under the piano stool to cool off.
F x

Sun_Addict

Glad you felt up to moving about. Hopefully you’re on the road to recovery now.

IzzyBee

Glad you’re feeling better 

Suffolk_lass

foxgloves said:

@Makingabobor2 - No need to buy a jam thermometer. I do have one, but didn't acquire it until I was about 50.....& I've been making jam since I was 12. If you don't have a preserving pan, keep an eye out in charity shops as I've seen them on sale there a few times. And you need a long-handled wooden spoon. And if you want to be ready for this year's blackberry & apple jam, start saving jam jars.
All you need do to check that your jam has reached setting point is the 'saucer test' & the 'flake test'.
F x

I would also look out for a jam funnel. FB Marketplace is good for this stuff near me. It makes filling the jars so easy. I confess to having bought a Kilner stainless steel one from the local Harrods (pound store) and it is excellent. I already had a non-stick one but nowhere near as good. No handle on it means it happily sits on top of a small casserole dish in the drawer

KajiKita

Good morning Foxgloves and I hope it is as sunny with you as it is here and you are feeling a bit better today? 🌞

I have read through all of this thread but not your previous ones and I hope you won’t mind me joining you? 

Re jam making, I know about the saucer test to find out if your jam has set but not the flake test - what is that?

KK

Four_Seasons

Morning Foxgloves, hope you are feeling better today.  Its lovely and sunny here but still with a cruel wind.  Have a good day x

Suffolk_lass

I meant to say, I hope you are feeling better and have a good day