It is important for a house-wife to have hobbies. Like espionage.

[gfrancie]

When I wasn't sipping sambuca with Russian Oligarchs; whilst selling secrets to the Armenians and running a sweatshop in Bangalore I accomplished a few things today.

I scrubbed the tub in my bathroom all clean. I did several loads of laundry and a load of dishes. I also canned a bunch of blood orange marmalade. It is a deep ruby color and it has a nice tart flavor. It might not be for everyone as it is a trifle esoteric as jam/jellies go. But I am sure it will be appreciated somewhere.
I have a month or two before I have to think about doing fun things with berries. I am going to end up with so much jam it will be awesome.
I think I may also want to do a few other things this year if I figure out the timing/organization.

Tomorrow it will be bossa nova with ex MI-5 agents in hiding and making something nice to have for dessert this week.

Comments

[molliewollie.livejournal.com]

I would be all over that marmalade. I heart marmalade. (Have you tried Nigella's recipe for chocolate-marmalade cake? I don't have a springform pan at the moment so alas, it is not in my immediate future.)

I made blackberry jam over the weekend. Berry season is in full swing here.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I have not. It sounds freaking delicious.
Where is the recipe?
Obviously you need to beg/plead the world to give you a spring-form pan.

I envy that. Our berry season comes later. But when it does, it is amazing. Local strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. There will be much jam.

[molliewollie.livejournal.com]

It's in "How to Be a Domestic Goddess", which... if I could turn myself into a book, it would be that one.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I think I need that book. And the recipe.

[queenthesixth.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow it will be bossa nova with ex MI-5 agents in hiding and making something nice to have for dessert this week.

Doing the bossa nova and making dessert at the same time? Truly you have mad skillz! Speaking of MI-5 agents, I read that Richard Armitage is to join the cast of Spooks this year. His character won't exactly have been in hiding, more in a Russian prison according to the press release. Although after his actions on the last series of Robin Hood, it may well be that he is in hiding in another series, lest Robin exact some fearful revenge, when he isn't brooding in Sherwood Forest.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

It takes a lot of practice.
You shouldn't have told me that. Richard Armitage is so pretty and lovely to look at. And you know he would be all angsty and bitter-looking. And girls everywhere will be lame and sigh a lot. Robin Hood is so emo. I felt so ashamed that I kept rooting for Guy of Gisborne to make out with Marian. "Come on. he is so much more interesting."

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

I would love to try your marmalade. Maybe I could swap a jar for a couple of tubes of lip balm? (I should get the blood orange lip balm right first!)

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I need to test it first to make sure that A. it isn't full of poison and B. it tastes decently.
Then hardcore blood orange trades may begin!

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it, I also have some limoncello-style liqueur I made last year with blood orange rind which has just about aged long enough... just need to find a bottle the right size. :)

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

How does it taste?

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Ooooo, we should have a jam-fest when I'm in town in mid-July. I plan to buy a whole ton of berries to make up bunches of jam to take back to Arizona with me. My parents have all of the utensils needed for jamming. It could be hot and sticky and jam-a-licious!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Dudemanbro!
We should.
My Mom has a recipe for chocolate raspberry jam.
That's all I am sayin'.

[lindaslaments.livejournal.com]

you should get a wii. talk about a time sucker...i think i shot zombies for 3 hours yesterday...now that is an accomplishment!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

If I had a wii... well I would get addicted.
So for now I will stick with imaginary bowling or something.

[tenebrous.livejournal.com]

Is it sad to say that scrubbing my tub sounds like fun? It does. A nice clean bathtub is satisfying like a well stocked pantry. The marmalade sounds good, hint, wink. You know I run a charity fund? For marmalade-deprived girls named me.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

A clean bathtub is inspiring. Plus I have some sake soak I want to use. So I want things extra clean and what not.
Maybe if you are good and play nice with others and don't run with scissors you might get jam. Or something.

[tenebrous.livejournal.com]

Fresh brand, I presume? I want that. It's what, $80? Something crazy.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Yes.
I bought a small packet. 12 bucks.

[tenebrous.livejournal.com]

Ooh, you are the Queen indeed.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Cheap luxuries.

[tenebrous.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I bow to your shopping skills.

Why don't we just buy some sake and dump it in the tub? I ask you. There must be something to be said for proper dilution or something.

I hear sake factory workers have oddly smooth hands.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

It's all about the cute packaging. Don't you know???

[maliekai.livejournal.com]

That is twice today that I came across the word esoteric, and I finally had to look it up. I can never remember what it means. That one and bemused.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

It is a word I dig. I often have to think twice when I see the word bemused.
same with beguiled.

[maliekai.livejournal.com]

I can never remember whether bemused is closer to amused or confused.