Time and Patience

Some of you might remember when I posted with excitement when we completed our arbor back in July of 2009.  Well ... after several attempts to get grapes growing ~ it appears we are finally on our way. I type this with fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed!  

We even fenced the area to 

protect it from critters! 

They aren't tall by any means,

but any sign of life 

is welcome AND they're growing! 

And check this out ~~~ GRAPES!

the most itsy- bitsy plant with the

teeniest tiniest grapes

go ahead, enlarge the picture

just click on it

Okay, so maybe I won't be 

making wine just yet but still 

Woo Hoo!!! 

Grapes Moved Home

Today we transplanted our grape vines.  Our neighbor gave us the vines a couple of years ago. At that time; we planted them along our split rail fence. Then last year we decided to build an arbor. Yes, we did it ourselves. Teamwork, that's what we're all about. Now that the arbor is done and the grapes are doing so well we decided to transplant them to their permanent home alongside the arbor. 

When that same neighbor moved and we became caretakers for his property, he told us to help ourselves to the grapes.  We picked and canned them into grape juice but if ours take off well enough we may start making wine.

But I love the juice recipe because it's so easy - just pick, clean and pack grapes into canning jars. Add water and sugar to taste. I only added about an even teaspoon per quart jar and it is plenty sweet - almost too sweet for our liking. Hot water bath and abra-ka-dab-ra ~  you have juice.  Strain the fruit and pour yourself a tasty treat. The pint sized jars on the left side of the pic are plum sauce. Very, very good on pancakes, eggrolls etc.  Oh boy, I'm making myself hungry ~ later all.