Wednesday, February 26, 2014

My grandma, her new phone, and some blood orange marmalade


My 93-year old grandma {Gertrude} recently got a new cell phone with texting capabilities. My aunt and uncle thought it would be a great way for us to keep in touch with her, and she was willing to learn how to operate this new phone of hers. She texted me that first day and said, "Hi Debbie. Imagine this, I'm learning something new. Love, Grandma." Oh, I was SO proud of her!!!


Sunday morning I noticed I had missed a call from Grandma on my cell phone so I rang her back. She was surprised when I said, "I noticed I missed a call from you..." because, according to her, she hadn't called me. She finally did admit that she and Uncle Ken had been "trying to figure out how to make a call" and they must have accidentally called me. Apparently there's still a bit of a learning curve with the new phone.

We talked for a little while and I told her I was in the middle of trying another batch of blood orange marmalade. She was quick to say, "Use some pectin this time!" and I explained that the new recipe I'd found called for tying the orange membranes and seeds in a cheesecloth bundle to cook with the mixture and that was supposed to be a natural pectin.


She was skeptical - never heard of such a thing - and then she told me stories of jelly making with my mom. She said Mom bought a gallon jug of pomegranate juice from a local fruit stand one year, and the two of them made the best batch of pomegranate jelly. And they used a powdered pectin and "it set up real nice."

"Ok, Grandma, but I'm going to follow the recipe and use the tied-up-bundle of orange membranes and seeds this time," I told her.



Well, thank goodness the recipe worked this time, and the orange marmalade "set up real nice" for me. The other thing that was different about this recipe was the temperature and cooking times. I had to use a thermometer and heat it to a certain temp, then hold it there for five minutes - like candy making. I might have cooked it a little too long though, because once this marmalade is opened and refrigerated the mixture becomes very thick and sticky.



Oh well! It still tastes great and I was finally able to package it up like I've had in my mind for a couple of years now. One of these little jars is on it's way via United States Postal Service to my sweet grandma in California.

I wonder if she'll text me to say she likes it when it arrives on her doorstep.

14 comments:

Robyn said...

awww! What a great story!

How brave of you to try again! The last batch seemed fine to me (in the photos!)...but it seemed like you didn't enjoy the process too much. I was surprised you took another crack at it! I'm so glad they turned out!

Susi said...

How awesome that your Grandma is willing to learn new technology.
I love how you packaged up the orange marmalade. Looks lovely!

scrappyjacky said...

Pleased to hear it worked this time....it looks wonderful....I'm sure you'll get a text [or call]....well done to your grandma for being willing to learn.

Abi said...

She sounds like such a sweetie. My Granny is hopeless with technology although at Christmas she did join me for her first selfie!

Karen said...

Good for your grandma! Tracy tutors a number of elderly ladies who want to use their Mac computers. Two of them are in their nineties and are actively keeping touch with their families as well as working on projects of their own.

I love the way you've packaged your marmalade!

Audrey said...

Hi Deb, I saw that Instagram post and think it's too cool that your Grandma is learning how to use her new phone. It's made me smile again! I hope she likes your marmalade!!! XOXO

Daniela Dobson said...

This looks delicious. Maybe I can do it one of these days. Pinning it. You have a sweet grandma.

Sinead said...

This is such a brilliant story Deb! I love that your Grandma is embracing new technology (my Grandad, who passed away four years ago, was the first person I knew that had a mobile phone!). That blood orange marmalade looks SO good, great photos and I also love how you've packages it up. So pretty! :) xxx

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Your marmalade looks wonderful and your packaging is just the cutest thing. Fair play to your Grandma, as we say around here. I need my Mum to take a leaf out of her book. I'm sure she would get so much from having a laptop, but she is too afraid she'd do something wrong.

Susan ~ Southern Fascinations said...

Sounds yummy and such pretty little jars. Of course, your grandma will love it...you made it, after all! Good for your grandma to use new technology ...keeps us young and in touch with loved ones! Smiles...Susan

Sian said...

Such pretty photographs.

I love how your Grandma is up for learning something new. I think TSO would love her Grandma to be able to text too - they could plot a lot more mischief together

Miriam said...

Your jars look absolutely gorgeous Deb. How brilliant that your grandma is willing to give texting a go.

Beverly said...

Very impressed with the texting! Congrats on round 2 and I'm glad it set up otherwise you'd be making more next week using pectin. They look gorgeous and I am sure she is going to enjoy her jar.

Jo said...

Go Gertrude! It's great that she's learning a new skill, she sounds amazing! That marmalade looks delicious x

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