6/15/12

Chive Blossom Vinegar

Remember the chive blossom vinegar I started making just before I left on my trip?  It's finished!

When I got home, my vinegar was looking perfectly pink and pretty.


When I opened the lid, oh, what a heavenly aroma!  You might think it would be strongly vinegary, but it was not.  It smelled so savory and, well, chivey.  Of course, I had to dip a spoon into it and give it a little taste.  And may I just say, Yum!  Recall that this was just plain old distilled white vinegar--the kind I used to use to clean my percolator.  (Do I date myself when I admit to having had a percolator at one time?)  

Anyway, I strained out the chives using a strainer and three layers of cheese cloth.



Then I used my handy-dandy funnel to pour it into these decorative bottles.  There was enough for a one liter bottle and also enough for a little gift bottle for Erik and Mae.


Isn't it pretty?  I'm looking forward to giving this a try in some salad dressing or whatever I might use vinegar for--a meat marinade maybe.  I'll report back later.  For now, let's just say that I'm happy with how this turned out.

28 comments:

Samantha said...

That vinegar looks gorgeous! I love the bottles you put it in.

As to the other part of your post I feel your frustration. I dropped out of a very popular block swap because I seemed to keep getting the slackers who never sent out blocks. About every 3rd month I wouldn't recieve a block from whoever I was partnered with. It might seems selfish but I don't have money to get fabric to make a block that someone specifically asked for and then ship it if I am not going to recieve a block in return.

I also don't know how people can justify such a thing. If you promise to make/send/do something then do it otherwise don't promise in the first place.

Celtic Thistle said...

Your vinegar looks lovely, will make a great gift.

Such a shame about your QAL experience, everyone understands that life gets in the way sometimes and commitments can't always be met, but this doesn't sound like one of those times. As you say, how hard is it to pop a couple of FQ's in the post? Fortunately, it seems like these situations are not the norm in quilting blogland, but it is not pleasant when it does happen.

Hope your next QAL/swap experience is a much happier one!

Bianca said...

And that's why I don't 'do' challenges or give-away's anymore. Something simular happened to me. Very pittyfull people, don't you think?? And indeed, it's nót about that FQ, it's about their empty promisses....
Such a shame that my lack in faith in people is confirmed every time again....

Judy1522 said...

Your vinegar looks beautiful! Sorry about the fat quarters it is very disappointing when someone doesn't follow through. I did have to e-mail once about not receiving my winning item in a QAL but it was sent right after that along with an extra pattern. Sometimes it is just an honest mistake but in your case that does not seem to be what's happening. I guess if that happened to me I would stop reading that blog and not recommend it to anyone else.

Rachel said...

Vinegar looks awesome and I fully intend to try it! IF I manage to get it done I will credit you with giving me the idea and Marisa with coming up with it :-)
Swaps, yeah I have had it happen. It sucks. Yes, I can buy my own FQ, that is SO not the point. The point is to follow through or fess up that you won't/can't. I get it. Life happens, but an explanation/communication is always nice. Sorry it (appears to have) happened in this case :-)

Teresa in Music City said...

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that kind of treatment! Especially since you are always so careful to take care of your responsibilities.

But I must sadly say I am not at all surprised at the lack of response/action you received from Brenda. She was a speaker at an AQS in Nashville one year, and since several of us were making the Dear Jane quilt, her lecture was a highlight of the event for us. However, we were bluntly shocked when she took the stage. She was slovenly dressed, stayed propped up on the podium as if she couldn't stand on her own, and barely put two coherent sentences together! We couldn't tell if she was sick, drunk, exhausted, or what. But it wasn't pretty! She then told us she had never made the quilt, and had only made perhaps 30 of the blocks herself. Disappointment doesn't begin to describe our reactions to Brenda. Since then I have heard stories from others who have had problems in correspondence with her. It's a real shame because she has a large reputation in the quilt world.

Diane Wild said...

Oops. Sorry I didn't give Marisa the credit for the vinegar recipe. I will correct that. I didn't strain through a cheesecloth. Maybe I should have. I can still do that. Good for you in telling it like it is with those who don't follow through on their promises. I experienced something similar but it ended up okay. Just two months late. I was disappointed and willing to suck it up and accept the fact that some people can't seem to get it together. It still hurts.

Mrs.Pickles said...

The vinegar looks lovely!
Sorry to hear about the other part though. Its just one of those things that we have to put up with in the cyber world I guess...its sucks though!!!

Snoodles said...

Sorry to sound like a truly busted record, but that vinegar looks wonderful!!
I sure hope that nothing like that happens to you again. Once is enough. It doesn't sound like that person cares. Me? I got stressed out big time recently when I realized that I had sent the wrong book to someone that won my giveaway! I try super hard to make good on my promises, so I know what you mean. It is no fun dealing with someone who doesn't care about their promises.
Love the mountain pictures down below, and I bet George is still snuggling close, isn't he? LOL

gpc said...

I share your pain! I've won several 'no shows,' and it might be silly, but it is frustrating and kind of sad. Fortunately the happy experiences far outweigh the sad ones. :)

I made a small batch of the vinegar after being inspired by you -- I agree, it is tasty and BEAUTIFUL!

Junebug613 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Junebug613 said...

Oooh! Pretty Vinegar! I love the bottles.

I don't enter swaps because I worry I wouldn't get my stuff done in a timely fashion, but how hard is it to mail a couple of fat quarters? sheesh! Sometimes it's good to vent, no shame in telling the truth.

P.S. I am posting a couple of cute kitty items on my blog that I know you would enjoy, but I don't know how to share it. If you'd like to check it out it's girlrecycled.blogspot.com

Lee said...

The vinegar does look delightful :)

Sorry for the present outcome of your sad tale. I hope she comes through at some point. I recall that there were some Dear Jane copyright battles with the said individual some years ago - enough to make me lose my desire to make a DJ, though I'd already bought the book.

Lee said...

I just noticed her last blog post of 6/10 states that she 'lost her list' but knows she owes FQs to Barbara Stanbro, so maybe there's hope?

Helle said...

I agree with you....have also experience a "friend" who always has excuses for everyhing. As I answers these kind of persons; Road to hell is paved with excuses! Just get it done, is my advice to other :-)

The vinegar looks very tasty :-)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Wonderful Vinegar - and such pretty bottles! Oh, I am not surprised as I know the 'quality' of both individuals in the Takes Two. Good for you in putting it out there, if not voiced, others may suffer also.

quiltzyx said...

Ooooh, the vinegar is soooo pretty! Lucky Mae!

Boo Hiss on the QAL fail. :(
I think I've only not gotten one bloggy thing, but I haven't done a lot of swaps, etc., because I know I have such a hard time FINISHING things & don't want to disappoint.

Wilma Lee said...

Your vinegar is lovely!!

As far as Brenda, I lost all respect for her after a fiasco several years ago with her telling some lady that if she wanted to sell the quilt she had made from her book, that she would require a percentage of the sale. It caused a big internet stink, after which Brenda backed down. Since then I will always call that quilt, a Jane Stickle quilt, nothing else.

I have been on the NOT receiving end of swaps too. Live and learn.

Kate said...

The vinegar looks beautiful.

Sorry about your experience with the quilt along. It is sad that not everyone follows through on their commitments. Apparently this person has a history of poor commitments. Being on the "not receiving" end of swaps is very disappointing. My one experience with a swap put me off them for life I think.

Dana Gaffney said...

I'm not much of a cook or vinegar person, but I love those bottles, LOL.
I don't know this person and don't want to. I've read things like this in other blogs and have never understood why someone would say they'd do something, then not do it. Reading Wilma's comment was a pretty good insight into Brenda though.
Shesh, just waiting for the darn limes to grow stressed me out. :)

Heartsdesire said...

I'm just about to harvest my chive blossoms to make some of that wonderful vinegar. It looks absolutely beautiful in those bottles. I think this will make an excellent Christmas gift, or any time gift.
Sorry to hear about your problems with the quilt along. I realize that people do get busy, do lose their lists, etc., but to ignore your emails, and then tell you she has sent the fat quarters, is very unprofessional and dishonest. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour puts other people off swaps. I hope she reads your blog and is embarrassed enough to come through with the goods, but I think, probably don't count on it.

sandyb said...

I love the vinegar - I have a whole half raised bed of chives!

As for the other part - I don't know what makes some people tick. I just love the FQ you sent me. I have been very fortunate to receive everythng that I have ever won but I really don't win or get into that much but I feel that people should do what they say they will do. I am glad that you did write this today and gave the next person the heads before they swap. Thank you

LethargicLass said...

Love the vinegar, it looks so happy (lol, I realise that is weird)I don't get many flowers on my chives because I'm cutting them all the time LOL

I agree with you that nothing is worse than knowing I didn't do my best by someone. Even with my current situation I am making sure all my commitments are being kept, and so far so good... if I will need more time I'll let them know ahead of time... you absolutely have a right to be angry and let down... especially if they are in the U.S. as can't you guys mail packages from your houses?
*HUGS* Just know that you are someone who is decent and kind and wonderful :)

Needled Mom said...

The vinegar looks gorgeous.

It sounds like we have all had similar experiences. It's just nice to know that most are great fun with good outcomes.

Anonymous said...

I love the look of the vinegar! I guess next year I'll have to add chives to my garden. This year, I added raspberries in 6 varieties, so if that works out, I can make raspberry vinegar.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I finally gave up on getting my 'winnings' from a giveaway in February. She kept saying she had been busy and would get them in the mail, all the while she was posting things that she had received from other giveaways. She is also a professional long arm quilter. I hope she does better for her customers. Sorry about the FQ's.

hueisei said...

I love the color of the vinegar :) I make my own vinegar too but I'm using Chinese herbs so it taste different :)

I understand your feeling on the people who don't keep their promises. I experience that too... I won a giveaway on the SMS giveaway last winter. The lady congrats me and take my address and promise to sent out the prize to me before christmas. I'm happily waiting at home and then she emailed and said she is very busy because her kids having food poisoning and promise will mail out soonest by next week. And, I waited until New Year and then I email her to check the status. She didn't replied and I check her blog and she stopped blogging since the SMS giveaway post. I feel disappointed. I think maybe she facing difficulty in her life, that's why she stopping blogging... Once a while, I will check out her blog too, Just want to find out any latest news about her. :)

I'm having bad experience on QAL too.. I started the QAL half way and suddenly the link is closed and the QAL organizer take out the QAL button from their blog as if nothing is happen. I have an unfinished quilt and it disappointed me. I'm new to quilting and this make me sad too.. I don't have the courage to question them too..
That's life.. Take this as an experience :)

Marcia W. said...

Welcome back! Of course, I've been reading your posts from most current backwards. I missed the part in this one about the MIA prize as was focused on the vinegar info. A known fabric designer had a giveaway, emailed me that I had won a charm pack. I sent her an email with the info and posted thank comment on the blog. Never got the charm pack. Of course, I did send two very nice inquiry emails and never a response from her. I don't win giveaways that often so these incidents stick in my mind. The fabric designer lost a customer.