I made something oh~so~wonderful this week. I'll give you a hint. It's strawberry champagne jam! Now, I don't know about you but I find it impossible to resist homemade jam. And this particular batch of strawberry champagne jam is incredibly delicious. Not too sweet (I am not fond of overly sweet jam) and cavorts with a most zingy champagne burst of flavor. That's the best part. You see, I added a whole half cup of champagne (real champagne I should mention) for every four cups of strawberries after I finished cooking the jam. A perfect tango of sparkling/tart and sweet.
A sunny consistency that will make the grumpiest person shine. Perfect on Irish scones. With clotted cream, naturally.
(By the way, in this particular batch I used real champagne as mentioned, however for the most perfect substitute use Cava Codorniu because Spanish vineyards really know bubbles.)
I am woozy with joy about this jam.
My jam was made with love and a darling dash of French style as well. I felt very Rachel Koo whilst making it ~ quite glamorous as a matter of fact, and I even wore red lipstick for the occasion. And this morning I photographed my ruby red concotion in my beautiful garden. And even though it is clear I can't tie a bow to save my life there will be a very pretty label on the jar shortly that will be far lovelier than any silly bow.
Where I really mean to go with this, because I know you're wondering, is I am inspired to have a little giveaway. Also because it is Sunday and Sunday is my favorite day of the week. (I've told you that, probably lots of times, but I love to say it)
So.
Simply by leaving a comment on this post I will gift the winner (to be drawn on Tuesday) a jar of my strawberry champagne jam and a handwritten card with my famous Irish scone recipe on it. And that's not all. I will also gift the winner a subscription to my daily mails for the month of August. ('Fireflies, or 'My sweet Muse' ~ your choice)
Well, I am off to enjoy french toast with the family (with maple syrup and the jam naturally) Andrew Bird is spinning away in the background and I have the whole beautiful Sunday ahead of me ~ I may go see this film ~ has anyone seen it yet? I hear it is magical.
Happy Sunday lovelies!
love,
Maddie!
well you know i am a huge fan of your scones baby ... so of course i have to comment because who could resist homemade jam mmmmm ... and happy canada day love xoxo
ReplyDeletesunday is my favorite day as well! i always pop out of bed, drink coffee, put on music, then get to working/prepping on a quiche usually. (this all just happened by the way)
ReplyDeleteI found out a about Rachel Koo from your blog many posts ago and am totally enchanted by her!! I'm pre-heating the oven right now in preparation for winning the scone recipe! :)
ReplyDeletea not too sweet jam with champagne? made by a woman in red lipstick? oh yes, indeedy!
ReplyDeleteHi Madelyn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and would love to try your strawberry champagne jam.
Carolyn
I LOVE so much about this post ..champagne ..jam AND Sunday as well!! fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteYour jar of jam looks so joyful! Champagne jam and Irish scones sound utterly delightful.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for my first "My Sweet Muse" email today.
~Rae
p.s. OH! I am going to go see that film this afternoon! :)
Oh, your lovely jam looks and sounds scrumptious!! I love things not too sweet as I am sweet enough myself. ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this delightful jam made with red lipstick on a la Ms. Koo- she's a joy to watch.
I am gearing up for our time ahead and am borrowing a Holva (?) camera- I think it's a Swedish black and white camera for my "homework."
My friends and I saw the "Best Most Exotic Marigold Hotel"- it was an interesting trip and oh, so beautiful. Makes me dream of India. Moonrise Kingdom is coming to the same independent theater in a week, so I hope to see it then.
Happy Sunday!!
The only thing that would *sweeten* the deal would be the opportunity to share it with you!
ReplyDeleteJam is my favorite indulgence. It satisfies the craving for something sweet without having to count the calories!
Red lipstick and strawberry champagne jam sounds like a photo op!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Georgene
Oh, I'd love to share that with you but alas you can't send it all the way here. But I am entering anyway as the daily mails are seductive and I have many gorgeous Canadian friends I could gift some magic to.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday from Monday far away :)
Gxx
seriously - although the jam looks & sounds like heaven, just reading your post was enough for me! it makes me want to grab an apron & try a quiche. (or at least buy one and heat it up in the real oven). :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day! I'd love the opportunity to try your jam and indulge in your daily emails! Thank you!! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful offer! what a beautiful recipe! we just made wild rose infused honey and gifted it to a rose loving friend and it blew my mind....must get out and see if any left to pick to make some more.....gold in a jar....mmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteHello Madelyn ~ Happy Canada Day.
ReplyDeleteYour jam looks & sounds divine & I love the ribbon & flower additon ♥
Thank you for this lovely giveaway & for your gorgeous blog ... it's my favourite spot to visit!
ohhhhhhhhhh this jar has my name all over it. I had a wonderful sunday as well. I spent the day visiting a dear friend and his lovely family and I am feeling the love and today, specially today I feel lucky to have wonderful people in my life. Sweet, no? just like strawberry jam.
ReplyDeleteGaby
this is too splendid a giveaway to resist, so count me in!
ReplyDeletethanks for being a burst of sunshine always!
xx
It has been much too long since I have made jam. I may have to try my hand at strawberry champagne jam this week! While wearing red lipstick, of course!!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Madelyn, from Quebec City! Thank you so much for your lovely giveaway! My kids and I love jam on our toasts in the morning, especially strawberry jam and yours looks and sounds delicious! Oh, and I haven't yet seen Wes Anderson's new movie, I didn't even know about it, but now that you've shared the link with us, I can't wait to see it - it does look magical indeed! Happy Day to you XO
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Why wouldn't I try for strawberry champagne jam. I can imagine the wonderfulness of it. Oh and your silly bow works for me too. Thanks for sharing to most wonderful words and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI can not resist homemade jam. I eat it by the spoonful! Beautiful photograph!
ReplyDeleteHope its not too late to get my comment in! Would LOVE some of your jam - that is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Dana
I would love to try this before making it myself, so count me in :)
ReplyDeletethis jam sounds fantastic--i MUST try it!
ReplyDeleteLove your words, your images, your spirit and soul. Thank you for bringing such beauty into my life. :) Mandee
ReplyDeleteWell, I read your blog all the time and have never commented before. Is it SO wrong to comment now...with champagne intentions???? ;-) I feel like having a taste of your magical JAM...would allow me a delicious taste of your idyllic life!
ReplyDeleteLove everything about your blog...........Jam or no Jam.
Thank you for sharing so much.
I've made a strawberry port jam, but strawberries with champagne....that sounds amazing. Why didn't I think of that, I wonder? After all, champagne just makes life better, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh! I love Sundays too and this jam sounds absolutely lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of overly sweet jam either. My friend's daughter made a great batch of homemade jam several years ago that had just the right amount of sugar to enhance the flavour of the fresh berries.
ReplyDeleteHm, now I'm in the mood for scones with clotted cream and jam!
Strawberries
ReplyDeleteChampagne
Red lipstick = made with love!
Bubbly jam + handwritten recipe + poetic mails = lipsmacking! Thanks for this giveaway, and for all you give us by sharing here.
ReplyDeleteP.S. How did you like the movie?
oh, how happy you will be when you see moonrise kingdom!
ReplyDeletei have not been touched by such a film on the big screen in a v.long time.
with my beloved at my side, it was the most slendid way to spend a sunday afternoon!
xx michelle
Oh, I would be so delighted to taste your confection - just the thing for summer mornings in the garden! I hope you enjoyed the film (if you saw it). Mr. Commonwealth and I have it on the list for this weekend. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteAll good things to you -
Ooooh -- yum! If I win, does a tube of red lipstick come with it:)? You always make me want to live more whenever I visit your blog. So today, I think I am going to do something zippy to heighten my day. Red sounds like just the thing. XO
ReplyDeleteOoooh Strawberry-champagne jam and scones and your daily emails! Woot-Woot!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is wonderful!
Would love to win your lovely delight.
ReplyDeletePeace,
Vicki