Canning Grapefruit Juice and New Kitchen Cabinets

My Mom had a bumper crop of the sweetest most delicious grapefruit this year.  More than we could possibly eat.  She shared many of them, but still had bushels of them left.  For some reason most people think they don't like grapefruit and say "No thank you".  I'm convinced it's because they've never had Louisiana tree ripened grapefruit.

My Mom wasn't sure what to do with them and was scared they were going to spoil.  So....I decided to try and can grapefruit juice.  I do love grapefruit.  I also love grapefruit juice.....but this juice really surpasses any grapefruit juice I've ever drank from a commercial canner.

So if you live in a citrus area and can get your hands on a bunch of citrus you can jar it using the following recipe.  I've only canned grapefruit and lemon.  There's never too many oranges and you can always give those away.

Canned Citrus Juice

You need:  Citrus fruit, sugar, sterilized canning jars, canning lids, and bands.  Large pot for juice and canning pot

Juice your fruit

Strain fruit through cheese cloth or clean curtain sheers

Place strained juice in large pot

Add 1/2 cup of sugar to grapefruit juice (not lemon) for each 12 pints of juice

Bring juice to just under a boil and simmer for five minutes

Fill sterilized jars 1/2 inch from top.

Wipe rims

Place warmed lids (warm  in hot water) on top

Screw bands down snugly

Place jars in pot of hot water

Jars should be covered by 1 to 2 inches of water

Bring water to a boil

Once boiling time each batch for 10 minutes

Remove from water

Allow to cool

Listen for seals to pop closed

Keep any jars that do not seal properly in Fridge and drink right away.

This is what my kitchen looks like currently.  Getting new cabinets today!  Will post pic.

Regreening The Desert

I found this video fascinating and inspiring.

Around The House And Gardens

My husband says my garden is an authentic Eden now.  It even has it's own snake.  This snake hangs out in an abandoned bird nest in the honey suckle next to the front porch.  Not sure exactly what kind it is, but almost certain it's not poisonous.

 My roses have reached the top of the pergola and are blooming beautifully.  The brambles are also full of new buds.

 Lovely False Indigo.

 Moon Glo Iris next to a sago palm.  I lost my lorapetalums in Issac.  I planted new ones this spring.  I love the purple leaves and pink blossoms as a back drop for the variegated ginger.

 Garlic drying on the front porch.  My garlic seems to mature a bit faster than the books say they should.  I wonder if it's our warm climate.  Although we have had more cold and cool weather than usual this year.  Not any freezes though.

 I need to look in my notes as to what type of iris this is.  I just planted it last year and it has been blooming like crazy this spring.  Vibrant velvety purple....love it.

 Working on the side garden.  The Louisiana phlox is lovely.  This bed is going to get a lot of work this year.

 Flossie guarded this bag of cat food like a lion guards a kill.  Even bristling and laying back her ears when we got to close.

 Talia's fledgling asparagus patch.  We planted the seeds last spring.  She and her Grandmother have a heated competition on who can grow the best asparagus.  Talia is accusing her Granny of cheating.  Granny bought two year crowns.  Talia planted seeds.  She's not doing too bad though.