Zoe and Max made jam

Recently Max Raccoon acquired some kumquats. We aren't sure how he got them, he says it's don't ask don't tell. Jeez. Anyway, they are the ideal citrus fruit for the animals, being relatively tiny. Max asked Zoe Rabbit to help him make jam. After some consideration she agreed.

Max helped Zoe slice the kumquats.

There were a lot. Whenever they found a seed they took it out. Also they took out the little stem pieces.

"Here Zoe," said Max, "don't forget this one!"

"Or these other ones!"

Max had also provided some excellent jars.

Finally, they put all the slices in a pot on medium heat, and added about a cup and a half of water.

They didn't want to be photographed for this next part, and we try to respect their wishes. But here is what they did. They stirred the pot from time to time as the kumquats cooked down. They added about a cup of sugar and kept stirring. It took about a half an hour, and then amazingly all the things had turned into jam. To test if the jam was ready, they dribbled a little bit onto a cold plate and let it cool. When they tilted the plate, if the jam still dripped it was not ready yet. But if it was too gooey to drip, then it was ready.

So then they put the hot jam into the jars.

They had SO MUCH JAM! They had enough to give a jar to all the other animals, and still they would have some to store.

Totally worth it. IMPORTANT FACT! The animals are immune to botulism, BUT HUMANS ARE NOT! If you do this project as written, don't keep the jam out, even in unopened cans. You can keep it in the refrigerator for a couple of months, or in the freezer for six months. 

But really it's too delicious for that. Kumquats have less bitter peels than other citrus fruits, so even if you don't like marmalade, as I do not, you might well like this delicious orangey jam.

Winter Tea Party

Here is Hugo Owl waiting for his scones

Last weekend the mice Mortimer, Annicke, Simon, and Catalina had a Winter Tea Party for their friends. They wanted to avoid the cold ground, and fortunately Hugo Owl had offered his house, high in the top of the tree.

The mice, being mice, were a little nervous to visit Hugo Owl by themselves. Just to be on the safe side, Mortimer asked Owen Fox to come with them. Owen had indigestion so he preferred to prop himself on a branch nearby and read while he kept watch. The mice busied themselves preparing a fire, bringing blankets and warm stones into the hole to keep paws warm, and setting the table. Well, Annicke was supposed to help but as she was rummaging through blankets she found her dolls Alice and Sophie from when she was a baby and got distracted setting up a separate tiny tea party for them.

When the other animals arrived, everything was ready. Smoke was curling from Hugo's little chimney, and Ella Toad commented on how toasty it was inside the hole. Frogs particularly hate the cold, you see, because they get embarrassing goose bumps. Flora Fox was really impressed with the walnut tea cups that the mice had served peppermint tea in.

With all the animals inside Hugo's house, Hugo himself didn't fit! He sat outside on his branch, watching the wintry sunset. But soon enough, the animals brought him a plate of biscuits and tea. Hugo was ecstatic! He loved the ginger cranberry scones, and he was so full that he had no room left to even think of mice anymore. When the stars came out and the little animals started yawning, Hugo flew each one home, and waited until each was safely inside and tucked into bed before going back to finish the scones.