Project Updates

Here are some updates on a few projects we started earlier this year:

Canned Cranberry Juice
We opened a jar of the cranberry juice I canned a few weeks ago. I was curious to see if we like it enough to can more. Everything I read about it was spot on. It is definitely not as strong as commercial cranberry juice, but it does have a lovely light cranberry flavor that is very pleasant.

Our eldest son was eager to use it to make a cranberry cocktail for Christmas. When I asked him if the flavor was too light to make a good cocktail, he said that, on the contrary, it works well because you get the flavor of cranberry without it overpowering the other flavors in the drink. Here is a picture of the drink he made. Isn't it pretty?

Cranberry Cocktail
Photo by Connor Thomas

The verdict: This is a project that I definitely want to repeat. I like the idea of having a supply of healthy cranberry juice on the shelf.

Rum-Soaked Cherries

We also tried our rum-soaked cherries. I thought the cherry flavored rum from these might make a nice cocktail. While I enjoyed the flavor of both the cherries and the rum in which they soaked, our eldest son, who is the mixologist in the family, did not care for it. He said the rum tasted too much like cherry cough syrup! He also thought the alcohol flavor of the cherries was too strong. 

The verdict: Since this was not a favorite with everyone and we all enjoy brandied cherries, I think I will search for a brandied cherry recipe to try. I am not ready to give up on the idea of alcohol preserved fruit quite yet!

Calendula Infused Oil

Calendula oil is said to be very good for problem skin. I started an oil infusion several weeks ago to have on hand for rashes and other issues and to use as an ingredient in the healing salve we make. While I made the infusion by warming the oil with the dried flowers and leaving it to warm for a few hours, I wanted to also leave it sit for several weeks to finish infusing. I finally strained out the flower heads and put the oil in the refrigerator to save for later use. (Refrigeration helps to keep the base oil used in the infusion from going rancid as quickly.)

The verdict: This should be a great addition to our healing salve recipe. Since calendula is universally known to be good for the skin (unless you are allergic), I will definitely make this again.

Usnea Tincture

I also started an usnea tincture several months ago. I finally got around to the last step: straining out the usnea solids. Usnea is said to be an immune system tonic, a lung tonic, and to have potential for antibiotic use. If you are interested in learning more about usnea and how to make a tincture, click here for an article from one of my favorite sites.

Getting ready to strain the oil and the tincture 

The verdict: We currently have a good amount and should not have to make this again for quite a while. I tried some and found that it has an oddly woody taste. If it really does what herbalists claim it can do, I definitely see us making this again.

Other Projects - Holiday Sweets

Peanut Butter Balls

If you get our newsletter, you will have seen the recipes we included for our favorite peanut butter balls and gluten free peanut butter balls. This year our youngest son offered to make the gluten free peanut butter balls for our Christmas celebration. I have named these Monster Peanut Butter Balls. It is difficult to tell from the picture, but they are about three times the size of those we usually make. All the men at home were thrilled. They tell me this is the proper size for a peanut butter ball!

Gluten-free peanut butter balls
made by our youngest son

Tiramisu

Our Christmas dinner was Italian food themed and our eldest son wanted to try his hand at making tiramisu. He found a recipe online to try and it was a hit! We love tiramisu and this was one of the best ones we have had. Here is a picture after we delved into it.

Tiramisu courtesy of our eldest son

Let me know if any of you who do not receive our newsletter would like the recipes or if you would like us to add you to the newsletter list.

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