Post 31/2022 Monday 26 December . . . Job done. Boxing Day 2022. Made marmalade. The project became a possibility last July when we shopped at the British Store in the hamlet of Shakespeare, Ontario. On the shelf I found a can of Robertson’s Ma Made Thin Cut Seville Oranges. Ingredients: “Prepared Seville Bitter Oranges, (75%), Water, Acid: Citric Acid, Gelling Agent: Pectin.” Only sugar and water were needed. Oh, the sugar: 4 pounds, water: ¾ pint. Made six pounds. Ten jars.

Using this short cut to make marmalade is almost a no, no. A nun at the convent in Norwich, England, where we stayed during a Celtic Pilgrimage some years ago, whispered that this was her method of making marmalade.  Bless her.

While it won’t replace the “real” homemade marmalade made by our friend Margaret Cartwright in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, it will keep us in supply on this side of the pond, with plenty to give away.  On the label I included: “All You Need is Love Marmalade.”

Christmas Day, we had the pleasure of hosting Marty’s sister Doris, her son Brian, and his friend Dawn for the noon meal. That’s been a longstanding tradition. So glad we were able to do it again.  We kept the meal simple: Shepherd’s Pie, broccoli salad, crusty bread, Amish peanut butter, date pudding, and sour cream apple pie made with northern spy apples. Mint smoothie chocolates later in the afternoon.

Today: leftovers, reading, laundering new clothing (Christmas gifts), watching it snow, a movie on BritBox tonight.

What’s ahead? On Wednesday, connecting with Californians, cousin Ann and partner Max, who are visiting family in Michigan and coming to Indiana to visit with Doris who is in healthcare.

New Year’s Eve: The longstanding tradition of gathering with friends for a seven-course meal with guided conversation between courses. For one of the few times during the year we stay up until midnight, we’ll welcome the new day, the new year, the renewed prospect of what we can do for hope, peace, joy and love.

Happy New Year!

-John