Today James' dad came over to give him a hand at wallpapering. It was a really nice change to not have to be the apprentice. I got to do something I enjoy, I made my plum jam using the plums we had picked yesterday.
Last year a friend recommended a fruit stoner as she knew I was always making damson jam. We've got a few plum tress and numerous damson trees in the garden, plus we live on common land that has tens of damson trees free for the picking. Not that I ever see anyone else picking them, which seems a real shame, especially as there's a national trust property a few miles up the road where people pay to pick their damsons. Anyway I made the investment on the stoner and it was fantastic, made making jam with stoned fruit so much quicker and easier. It's a super sturdy piece of kit, it's solid metal with a thick plastic part that punches through the fruit. I was impressed at the quality of the build and was looking it over when I saw the makers mark, underneath it says made in West Germany! Those stoners must have been made donkeys years ago and have been sat in some warehouse ever since. There's something to be said for old fashioned workmanship though.
I had a little help from the wee man but he soon got bored of stoning fruit and wondered off. He soon returned when I had finished and made muffins, funny that!
The older generations got the papering done and then we were off to a children's party. On the return we started putting the furniture back in and tonight he's sleeping in his own room. We just need to buy a door and get it hung (stand by Kev) and it's all sorted.
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| Three generations |
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| Papering done, floor cleaned ready for furniture. |
oh Kirsty - i need to see some pics of the finished jam! i loooooove jam! my favourite is blueberry jam but i love every kind of jam! the little man's room looks just beautiful - i love the floors and the wallpaper! you guys are doing it for real and i appreciate all of the hard work that you are doing! you guys are just awesome!
ReplyDeletesending much love! your friend,
kymber
I used old jam jars so no beautiful pictures I'm afraid just a hodge podge of different sizes.
DeleteGlad you like the room it gives us a great sense of satisfaction, I just hope it doesn't come across as smugness.
Room looks perfect for a little boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marlene, he loves it!
DeleteI love that stoner......have one for cherries, but didn't know you could get a bigger one so will have a look on Amazon and Ebay, not that we have any fruit to stone this year because the very hot and long summer has ruined our fruit harvest, but perhaps next year......
ReplyDeleteI always thought that a hot summer would help fruit but obviously not. The stoner is a westmark cherry stoner.
DeleteThe house is looking good. You two are working hard so a little help never hurts. We call that "pitting" fruit here. The phrase "a fruit stoner" would be interpreted here as a gay drug addict. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove your sense of humour Harry, you do give me a giggle.
DeleteHey all, thanks for the kind comments as always, jam was good, the kids enjoyed it. Little man's room has been enjoyed by all his friends today, so thumbs up.
ReplyDelete