Plum Tree

Remember that single, lone, random, sad tree stuck there on the side yard when we first moved in?
The one we thought was an apple tree?
Then it turned out it was actually a plum tree?
And the reason we figured that out was because last year it threw off a few green almond-sized efforts?
Well, what a difference a year makes!
And I suspect it's all thanks to the generous fertilizer the chickens contributed during that time.
If you'll recall, from one of its branches is hung the wild bird seed feeder, which the hens are addicted to and love more than anything else in the world.
There's lots of dining, scratching and of course- pooping.
And it's not just the gals.
We've seen quail, Stellar jays, mourning doves, Turdus, and a bunch of others out there doing their thing
This past spring, it was beautiful as the leaves filled out bright green, then the delicate white flowers blossomed.
That was good enough for me, but it kept going, just like nature is wont to do.
At first, a few hard, oblong balls showed up.
More fell off than stayed attached, so I was pretty sure that was the end of that.
But more started to appear, and more and more; magically.
Then before we realized what was happening, the limbs became so burdened with ripening fruit that they draped the ground.
Expecting the purpling orbs to go the way of the blueberries (read: hens gobbling them up before they were even ripe enough to pick) I still had little hope this year's harvest would amount to anything.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
There was a tremendous amount of molesting and eyeballing the mesmerizing fruit while we were out and about the yard; picking a few prematurely for impatience.
Splitting them open for the birds; nibbling on some sour ones ourselves.
But then it blew up.
All told, CAM had gleaned a cooler full and was giggly over putting them to use.
We tried an experiment to make prunes through dehydration, but discovered they weren't the right type (still tasty nonetheless, but are being kept in the refrigerator.)
A few cobblers from an old NPR/ATC recipe he got very good at. (Though my blackberry version is superior.)
He put up both freezer jam and regular jam made w/o pectin, only by boiling the fruit down over many days.
(I can see why outdoor kitchens are a thing- so hot and sticky this effort.)
Sodastream goo, crostata*, Popsicles, Cordials (fruit and sugar in vodkas and left to infuse for 3-6 months because making wine looked to be a right pain), and of course, sharing.
What a windfall! And I'm so impressed none went to waste.
(Mostly: some dead soldiers went into the compost.)
Looking forward to next year's bounty is what helps to soothe the post plum picking blues.

Guess what?

That's a volunteer plum tree shoot inside the cage; CAM is very optimistic

Chicken butts!

RC & Rhoda

*There is no "after" photo since this was a miserable fail- it all spread out and burned in the oven

First collection, which we thought impressive. Dehydration not as successful.

The bough so laden, it -plum- broke off, hahahaha

CAM was so happy with this first round; I don't think he had any inkling of what would follow

4 of 6 and super simple

Batch #1 (left) got a little carmel-y

A watched pot never boils, but if you're only reading in front of it, maybe

He was rightfully proud of his accomplishments

My meager contribution consisted of sticking plum quarters in bottles with sugar & vodka

Strangely, she who eats everything showed no interest in the cooler of plums (which prior to this photo was, in fact, filled to the top)

One of many cobblers

All gone