When life gives you honeysuckle instead of lemons.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I really hope if you live in my area you were able to go outside and just soak up that sunshine and the beauty that it had to offer. As I was feeding the rabbits, pigeons and chickens I noticed that the honeysuckle is beginning to green up. That means that people who suffer from allergies are not going to be too happy but if you are wanting to try to make a few things with this free plant you need to be prepared.  You can make honeysuckle jam, tea, and tinctures. I missed the boat last year but this year I am going to be ready and thought I would give you a heads up so you can be too.

 TEA

To make a cold brew tea you take one part honeysuckle flowers to two parts water. You  bruise the flowers with a wooden spoon poor water of them and let set out in the sun for 3-4 hours. You strain the flowers and pour over ice and enjoy. So if you were wanting to make a half of gallon you would use 4 cups of flowers and 8 cups of water.


TINCTURE

Fill a glass jar with honeysuckle flowers. Push them down so that they are nice and compact in the jar, Leave about 1/2 in space between the flowers and the rim of your jar. Pour vodka over the flowers so that they are covered. Screw on a lid and place in a dark cabinet. Shake jar once a day for 4-6 weeks. After that time you can strain flowers and store in a jar.

A few drops under your tongue can help with upper respiratory issues caused from colds and allergies. For a sore throat you can use a few drops with a teaspoon of honey 2-3 times a day. Its suppose to help with hot flashes. If you know that you are allergic to honeysuckle I would not recommend taking it.

JELLY

Honeysuckle Jelly – yields 5 half-pint jars

– 2 Cups Honeysuckle flowers

– 2 Cups boiling water

– 1/4 Cup lemon juice

– 4 Cups sugar

– 1 package liquid pectin – ONE 3OZ PACKAGE.

Pick green tips from flowers and discard. Make an infusion by placing flowers and boiling water in a half gallon mason jar and capping tightly.  Let sit for at least 4 hours or let cool and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Strain flowers from infusion and place the infusion in a large saucepan along with lemon juice and sugar.  Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.  If using a candy thermometer, heat to 220 degrees. (jelly stage)

Add the pectin and boil for 2 minutes.

Ladle into hot, sterilized jars and cap with sterilized 2 piece canning lids.  Place jars in a water bath canner for 5 minutes.

Place jars upright on a towel, away from excessive heat or drafts and allow to cool for 24 hours.  Test jars for proper sealing.

I saw this quote the other day and it really has me thinking. When we recently purchased our new car I was asked what I do. I said I dont work. He said oh so you are a homemaker. I guess they have to put something and are limited to what their computer entry options are. I spoke up and said actually I am an urban farmer and gave him a little explanation of what that means to me. He was actually a very nice man and said that was interesting but I am pretty sure that homemaker when into the little box I could not see.

I wonder how many times I have made someone uncomfortable by asking them questions that they feel they do not have the correct answers to. What if when I meet someone and want to get to know them I ask them "what makes you happy or what are your passions". They may not have the answers to that but I sure hope it makes them think about and pursue it.

When Mr Ladybug got home we watered the garden together. I asked him what made him happy. He looked me straight in the eye and said  " its not coming home to you every day". You may think that may have been a mean thing to say but it made me laugh hysterically and kiss him. A long time ago he said that one of his favorite things to do was make me laugh. He drives me crazy but he makes me laugh a lot. I think I will keep him.

This is Mr Ladybugs calendar for gardening. I think its suppose to be nice on Sunday so we will probably be planting the peas, radish and spinach seeds in the ground as I mentioned a few days ago. We will also plant the cabbage, bok choy, and cauliflower plants. We can also plant the pepper and tomato seeds indoors next week. Things are getting real!