Happy 1st Birthday Butternut

One year ago my parents took a trip to the States and I was in charge of the animals.  I knew Jenny was pregnant and due around November/December.  I went to the back and gave the horses some hay.  I saw a brown thing in the pen and didn't quite process what it was and kept feeding the animals.  I finally went back and looked really closely and saw a foal.  I was quite surprised, but could tell the foal was really healthy.  I phoned my parents, even though there were in the States, and gave them the news.  We had a contest to  name the foal and she was given the name Butternut.

Butternut.  Born July 15, 2012

 

 

Jenny and Spud.  Mom and Dad.

The 5 W's of Jelly and Jam.

I like making jelly, jams, and relishes and I'm constantly experimenting with new flavors.  I sell my jellies, jams, and relishes on the home yard and at the Pineridge Farmers' Market. Jelly is a clear, like jello consistency, sweet spread.  Jam has fruit in it and is thick.

 A common question I get is what can you do with jelly.  There are a lot of different ways to use jelly:

• Spread it on toast, buns, bagels, etc.
• Warm it up and pour it on cream cheese and than spread on crackers or bagels.
• Warm it up til it becomes runny and use it as  a syrup on pancakes.
• Use it as a glaze on meats. (Pineapple Mint Jelly on ham or Mint Jelly on lamb).
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Make a fresh fruit pizza (spread jelly on crust and than spread some cream cheese and layer on fruit).

The jellies, jams, and relishes I make are:

Orange Mint Jelly: Tastes like Orange Soda.
Pineapple Mint Jelly: A taste of the Tropics.
Apple Cinnamon Jelly: Delicious.  Tastes like the red heart candies you get at Valentine's Day.
Apple Mint Jelly: Taste of apples in a spread.
Jalapeno Jelly: Hot, but not to hot.  Perfect for that next party.  Warm it up and pour it on some cream cheese.  Serve it with a variety of crackers.
Hot Cherry Bomb Jelly.  Is a really hot pepper jelly
A Mint of Everything Jelly: Apple, Pineapple, and Orange melded together.
Mint Jelly: A classic jelly.

Orange Rhubarb Jam: A milder version of Orange Marmalade.
Rhubarb Jam: A nice jam for your toast.

Sweet Zucchini Relish: My most popular relish.  When people try it, they usually buy it.
Sweet Cucumber Relish: All I can say is 100% better than the store version.

I hope to make the follow this summer:
-Chocolate Mint Jelly
-Strawberry Jam
-Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
-Grape Jelly

Stop by the Penner Pumpkin Veggie and Gift Shop or at the Pineridge Farmers' Market to pick some up.

Lorissa Penner

Penner Pumpkins Veggie and Gift Shop now open

Veggie and Gift Shop now open
Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 6 pm
Fridays 10 am to 9 pm
Saturdays at Pineridge Hollow's Farmers' Market from 9 am to 1 pm.

For sale:
-Lettuce
-Tomatoes
-Cucumbers
-Beets
-Make your own flower bouquet
-Herbs
-Zucchini
-Sweet Spanish onions
-and other vegetables as they the season progresses
-Jams, jellies, and relishes
-Playdough
-Handmade cards
-knick knacks

I would highly recommend you try the Orange Mint Jelly (tastes a bit like Orange Cream Soda), the Pineapple Mint Jelly, and the Apple Cinnamon Jelly (tastes like the red heart candies at Valentines).  The Orange Rhubarb Jam tastes amazing and has a slightly less orangy taste than Orange Marmalade.  People who try the Sweet Zucchini usually end up buying a jar or two.

In the Gift Shop we have a table filled with cow and corn knick knacks.  Also we have a surprise box.  You'll have to visit us to find out what the surprise is.

For large vegetable orders please phone Shirley at 204-371-5556

Directions: We are located near Steinbach. On Highway 311 EAST, towards Giroux, 2 3/4 mile and we are on the North side.



Lorissa Penner

June Review

I try to post every Wednesday and Saturday on this blog and that has not happened.  It has been quite the June.  First I blew the tire on my mom's van, than the engine on my car went, and than we thought the engine on the 1967 truck went, but thankfully it was just the water pump.

Next to go (bite the dust) was my cellphone and than my laptop. The last two things to go in June were the tent we use at the Farmers' Market and the battery pack.

Hopefully July will be a better month and nothing else breaks.  Also hopefully I will soon have a new laptop and than I can keep on writing posts every Wednesday and Saturday.

As they say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Or in my world when life gives a ton of mint, make mint jelly.

Animals are a good stress relief.

Lorissa