The Colour Purple

Purple is my little grandson Sam's favourite drink. To him it is not just a colour, it is the name of a cordial. It is, as he also points out, his Mummy's favourite colour. Quite complicated concepts for a two year old. I had my own purple haze today, making Blackcurrant Jam. I should have worn my beetroot sweater again today - that's all I'm sayin'. Apart from the obvious hazards, I bloomin love the smell of hot blackcurrant jam. I always have and I always will. This embodies what I am always saying about making preserves - much more comes out of each jar than you put in as ingredients. When I am making blackcurrant jam it takes me right back to being the smallest - like Sam is now - and being sent into the middle of the blackcurrant patch to pick the currants that no-one else could reach. It seemed enormous to me then with the branches towering above me, but the smell of the leaves, the currants and then the jam cooking always comes back to me when I open a new jar. Maybe that is why it is my favourite?

Look what I made for myself - isn't it just fun?

We had another new member for our Rosie Makes It Easy ClubsTM today - this is her box being packed for dispatch. Welcome Janet - I am sure that you will enjoy receiving your club pack each month. Indeed, true to it's word, the Rosie Makes It Easy ClubTM makes it easy to learn the skills of preserving, in your own home, with or without a group of friends. Each month, or to your own timetable, you receive the seasonal pack, complete with DVD ( which can be copied to members' computers), recipe cards, jars, lids labels and sometimes hard to find ingredients. There is no minimum sign up period and you can work at your own pace. You each receive a Personal Organiser to keep the recipe cards in and make other notes, and you are also first to receive free gifts or offers as they occur. At just £10 per member per month, or £15 for individual membership, it is a cost effective way of gaining the expertise you are looking for. We have found that up to four people is about the right number to work together in a domestic kitchen, maybe more in a community kitchen. So work along together, learn from each other - and my DVD! - and then share out the preserves to enjoy.

Individual membership is especially suitable for those who are perhaps shift workers, or maybe carers for another, or for those who prefer not to work in a group. The extra cost is just to cover the postage. Each new Member receives complimentary membership of The Guild of Jam and Preserve Makers as part of the package ( normally £25.00 ).