Mac's Lemon Marmalade - The First Batch

We have two lemon trees in our garden that have produced abundantly. These lemons are very juicy and perfect for the production of marmalade, so of course, I snapped into action and made my first batch for Spring 2009.

I found an outlet that sells glass jars, and soon I had 24 jars of wonderful marmalade. Those of you who know me well, will understand the next step. I HAD to design a label.

First idea. I thought of a stick-on label for the lid, and a stick-on label for the jar. I would need to print them on sticky-backed paper...cut them out...peel the backing off...stick them on the jars. Too much effort. I have gone through this sort of exercise before and it is murder on the nails, trying to find the edge of the label to peel it off the backing.

Next idea. Print labels on ordinary paper, cut them out and then stick them onto brown paper (home-made aspect). Pritt Stick? Spray Glue? They certainly did look homemade and the glue part was a mess.

Final idea. Design them so they LOOK as if they have a brown paper background and print them straight onto card. Punch a hole in one corner and attach with a rubber band. Done!

I am making the marmalade as gifts for family and friends and I know they will enjoy the intense flavour. This is what marmalade should taste like. No preservatives, additives, fillers or flavourings. No pesticides, just organic fertilizer and plenty of mulch and love.

Poetry Book Launch

Our new book, 'Four by Four' has been launched!

Denise, Jackie, Maryna and myself met at Stephanie's in Hyde Park Corner and celebrated this new arrival. This book is different to our first collaboration called 'Six by Six', in that we have included pages in colour. There are photographs, oil paintings, acrylics, watercolours and woodcuts included with the poems and stories. The response so far has been very encouraging.