Robin Foster Robin Foster

Canning Drunk Cherries

Cherries are hands-down my favorite fruit! Unfortunately, in the south, we can’t grow them. So when they start appearing in the grocery stores, I jump all over them. If I go to a restaurant and there’s a drink or a dish with cherries, it’s on my order. Like a gift from heaven, these two miracles happened to me at just about the same time. I went on vacation with my children to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where we ate at the most delightful Italian restaurant. While there, my son and I ordered Manhattans. They were served with the most delicious cherry, obviously the reason I ordered it. When I returned to my hometown, there were cherries in the store, so I set out to make myself some cherries worthy of a Manhattan.

That’s a very large face…

Just takes my breath away…

Just takes my breath away…

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These are the yummy ingredients. I know it’s hard, but try to focus on the left side…

First, pit your cherries,  You can use this cute little Cherry Chomper, which I’ve had forever!  I think it’s the first thing I ever bought on Amazon.  You can find it here. https://amzn.to/32dGDcP  Or, if you want to work a little faster when you’r…

First, pit your cherries, You can use this cute little Cherry Chomper, which I’ve had forever! I think it’s the first thing I ever bought on Amazon. You can find it here. https://amzn.to/32dGDcP Or, if you want to work a little faster when you’re pitting POUNDS of cherries for cooking, and cuteness is not your main objective, this one is the one I purchased AFTER I did all this. https://amzn.to/2YGUw2l

I’ve never had pretty fingernails, but please excuse these monsters,  They aren’t dirty, as in full of dirt.  They are stained by cherry juice.  Could be worse…Anyway, mix together sugar, water, vanilla and lemon juice.  Swirl it around.

I’ve never had pretty fingernails, but please excuse these monsters, They aren’t dirty, as in full of dirt. They are stained by cherry juice. Could be worse…Anyway, mix together sugar, water, vanilla and lemon juice. Swirl it around.

While your syrup is heating, pack the cherries into jars.  These are half-pint jars, but you can use whatever you want.

While your syrup is heating, pack the cherries into jars. These are half-pint jars, but you can use whatever you want.

In the video, I made a mistake!  I should have put the spirits (Jim Beam bourbon & Grand Marnier) in the jars first, then the syrup.  Do as I say, not as I do.

In the video, I made a mistake! I should have put the spirits (Jim Beam bourbon & Grand Marnier) in the jars first, then the syrup.

Do as I say, not as I do.

After a 15-minute water bath and some spilled juice, I had myself some drunk cherries! And they were fine!

After a 15-minute water bath and some spilled juice, I had myself some drunk cherries! And they were fine!

Drunk Cherries

Author: Robin Foster at LifeatMonteCristo.com

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds pitted cherries
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract
  •  4 TBS lemon juice 
  • Grand Marnier 
  • Good bourbon, like Jim Beam

Instructions:

  1. Clean & prepare 8 to 10 half-pint jars for canning.
  2. Pack pitted cherries into half-pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace at the top.
  3. Mix water and sugar in a pot & bring to a low boil.
  4. Remove from heat; add vanilla and lemon juice.
  5. Pour in  2 TBS bourbon and 1/2 TBS Grand Marnier.  You can add more or less, to taste.
  6. Fill with sugar syrup to 1/2 inch headspace.
  7. Clean rims and put on clean, warm lids and rings.
  8. Process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Notice: I’ve made every effort to be sure that the information I have provided is safe and accurate. I am not an expert and am not responsible for any damages that may occur in connection with the information in this video.

Disclosure: This description may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and buy something, I may make a small commission. Thank you for that!

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Robin Foster Robin Foster

Building a Cedar Limb Fence

Frank is always creating new and beautiful projects, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint!

Frank recently cleared the trees that were blocking the view of the lake from the front yard. It opened it up so much! It is even more beautiful than before! He is always looking for projects and ways to improve, and this day was no different. In what seemed like no time, (probably because I wasn’t doing it), Frank and the guys put up this rustic, natural fence that offered such a nice border to the flower bed. They did a spectacular job!

Just as they were beginning…

Just as they were beginning…

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Lady helped…

While you can dig holes with a shovel, since they had quite a few, they dug these with an auger like this one from Amazon.   https://amzn.to/3b71fI5  So much easier and faster!

While you can dig holes with a shovel, since they had quite a few, they dug these with an auger like this one from Amazon.

https://amzn.to/3b71fI5 So much easier and faster!

After they dug the holes and placed the posts, they cut cedar limbs and cleaned them up.  They used a chainsaw like this one from Amazon.https://amzn.to/3aThKHz

After they dug the holes and placed the posts, they cut cedar limbs and cleaned them up. They used a chainsaw like this one from Amazon.https://amzn.to/3aThKHz

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They put the limbs in place and, to screw them together, used an electric drill/screwdriver.  Frank uses this thing all the time!  DeWalt Cordless Drill:  https://amzn.to/2CSwFVF

They put the limbs in place and, to screw them together, used an electric drill/screwdriver. Frank uses this thing all the time! DeWalt Cordless Drill: https://amzn.to/2CSwFVF

They trimmed up the limbs.

They trimmed up the limbs.

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Lady surveyed their work.

Lady surveyed their work.

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Isn’t it just perfect? We’ll be adding some tables and chairs soon! Stay tuned for the styling!

Notice: I’ve made every effort to be sure that the information I have provided is safe and accurate. I am not an expert and am not responsible for any damages that may occur in connection with the information in this post or video.

Disclosure: This post or video may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and buy something, I may make a small commission.

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