Has Spring finally arrived?

Dare I say it.....has Spring finally arrived? We have had 3 pleasant days here and everything is drying out nicely. The snowdrops are looking lovely this year, really making a good show, in an otherwise rather desolate looking garden. I can't wait to start cutting back and tidying, ready for Spring in it's full glory.

As I mentioned previously, I have been busy making Marmalade, now this is a first for me. I don't actually eat it myself, but my husband does. So when I was reading one of my regular magazines, and came across this recipe, it looked fairly straight forward and I thought I would have a go. This is how it went.....

Recipe from Easy Living Magazine

Wash and Scrub Wax from Seville Oranges

Simmer oranges in large saucpan, with 2 litres of water for approx 2 hours

They should then look like this

When cool, you then need to take the pips out and cut the skin into shreds

You then put the pips etc into some muslin cloth ( I used a tea towel ) tied together and attached to the saucepan lid, and simmer with remaining juices and juice from a large lemon and any other juices from plates, for approx 10 mins

Remove cloth and add shredded orange skin, until soft and then slowly add sugar, and simmer until setting point is found.

I placed a saucer in the freezer to test for the setting point

When cool, transfer to sterilised jars.

Not bad for a first attempt, and my husband seems pleased!

I would also just like to mention, that I have just purchased this lovely, handpainted Thomas the Tank sign, for my nephew's birthday, from a very talented lady at http://www.lajonis-shop.blogspot.com please pay her blog a visit.