Sometimes you don’t have to go far to find something interesting.
As I stepped out my front door, I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired. In fact I was feeling pretty much the opposite of particularly inspired. But then I spied a pink flower in the bushes and went over to investigate. The flower was pretty, and quite unexpected (it was a volunteer Lavatera), but then I spied the chokecherries.
It’s a big sign that we are tipping over the edge of summer.
This brings a ton of mixed feelings; the urge to scream no, then excitement and anticipation for the time of year I love most, a bit of nostalgia, and a feeling of calm.
I’ll soon be making jelly with these sour little bullets. I can’t wait to be pouring the dark burgundy liquid into hot jars, sealing them tightly, and adding a cute little lid and tag. Treasures ready for gifting.
Oh, and here’s the pretty volunteer Lavatera that drew me in …
Thank you so much for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend everyone!
I was hoping to see the new yellow find but I guess you are hiding that from well you know who? Love the berries didn’t think you could make anything out of these either, surprised me on that one.
Thank you Barb! I’ve learnt something new today! I had never heard of choke cherries before your post… and the 3 wonderful pictures you made of them make me want to know more about this little fruit. I think we don’t have them in France… I’ve never seen cherries in clusters! I love particularly the picture with the pale pink lavatera and I like the texture of your towels…
oh Barb…. love your words here today…. i know what you mean…. mixed emotions here for sure….
choke cherries… are plentiful…it must have been a good year for them.
love the photos… just so beautiful…….
always….. :)
have a wonderful weekend….. xo
just beautiful, barb!
I love that combination of tea towel and burlap for a backdrop! Great effect. The chokeberries are wonderful looking, I’ve never had chokeberry anything but they’re pretty. And your little flower and bottle are perfection together.
Lovely captures of the chokecherries, Barb, I don’t think I’ve seen them here …
And such a beauty that Lavatera flower is … lovely bottle too !
Have a wonderful weekend,
Sylvia
hi Barb, I am with you, I want to stretch out summer as long as possible! :~) Love you chokeberry images … beautiful!
Gorgeous images! Love the linen, burlap, and that cute little vase – and the stems of chokecherries – awesome arrangement. Have a great weekend!
Lovely images, I never knew that you could make jam out of the chokecherry ! Love the little bottle :)
My brother gave me a quart of juice from last year when we were home this summer. I think I’ll make syrup with it. Have you tried using honey instead of sugar? I kind of hate to use sugar.
I haven’t used honey – chokecherry jelly is so picky – sometimes it sets, sometimes it doesn’t … but if you were making syrup I think honey would work fine.
I was out on a nature walk yesterday with a friend and saw the chokecherries out. Love the composition of the last photo with the tiny bottle. Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never eaten choke cherry jelly. I love your POV on the second shot! I keep telling myself every time I go out…there’s always something new to see and you certainly found a couple of beautiful things!
I don’t think I have ever had chokecherry jelly before, sounds interesting.
Oh, wow, so beautiful! Especially the Lavatera. I can see why you were drawn to it.
I grew up in New Hampshire where my grandparents owned a big farmhouse from the 1790’s on 100 acres of land. There was a giant choke cherry tree probably 20 to 30 feet tall in the back yard. We kids would try to eat them but they were bitter and pucker. No one in the family knew that you could make jelly from them. I love your photos, especially the second one. Thanks for bringing back the memory.