Kumquat Jam

One day at our local store a bright orange fruits caught my attention. I went by it once, than came back to the produce section to pick something else and looked at it again, then before I went to the register I came back to the produce section and couldn't resist to put in my basket a couple of kumquat packs. They were so sunny, so cheerful, and so happy looking at me, how could I had left without them?!

I came home, had a few kumquats with all their flavor bursting up to my brain. Then I had a few more, then... well, by the end of the day we finished it. Needless to say that the very next morning I went back to the store and headed straight to the section, where the little sunshine fruits were sitting. I bought a few more boxes with a single thought: "I need to preserve some of it". I didn't know how and what I was going to make, I just wanted a jar of this fantastic flavor to be preserved. 

And here it is, Kumquat Jam. I made it traditionally by pre-soaking sliced kumquats in sugar overnight, then adding some grapefruit juice and cooking for 30 minutes. The hardest part was to slice those tiny fruits into half moons. It took me just two hours to get it done. :) 

See you,
Marina

P.S. It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to.  But I think of you all often. 

Caught in action

Tomato and homemade cheese tower

Last few weeks has been a bit hectic around here. You know: taxes, more taxes, some work (unpaid, but fun though), upcoming move and all other things called life. 
When I was working on our taxes I attempted a few times to write a post. But except bad words, not much would come out from my fingertips. It wasn't about the taxes itself (although I do have some thoughts about it too), but the technical issues I encountered when trying to submit it. It took me a few days to resolve the issue, and as you may guess, a few strong words did slip off my tongue. Good thing  no one heard it. 
One day, after a few hours on the phone with different people working on resolving tax submitting issue, I came out to the kitchen and caught my men in action.

"...and if I ever need any guidance, who's a better consiglieri than my father?" (from The Godfather)

What are they up to? 

Husband's cooking: doesn't happen very often! :)

That must be our dinner...

Thank you, boys! I am so proud of you! 

See you,
Marina

P.S. It looks like we will be moving back to Washington State in July. And we also have two graduations: our teenager is graduating from high school in May, and my husband is graduating from the residency in June. With all that said, my posts will be sporadic for the time being, until we move and settle somewhere. I also may not be visiting your lovely blogs as often as I'd like to.  But I think of you all often.