A Star-Studded Gala, Jelly-Making, Hot-Air Balloons, and More: The Latest from Martha's Blog

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Friends of Hudson River Park 2015 Gala

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Read More About the Revitalization of the Hudson River Park on Martha's Blog

Recently, I was among the honorees at the 17th annual Friends of Hudson River Park gala held at Chelsea Piers. 

I am so proud to be on the Board of Friends of Hudson River Park - an independent, nonprofit dedicated to the completion, care, and enhancement of the space, and the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust.

 

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An Appearance by the FDNY

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The New York Fire Department put on a nice water show on the Hudson River for all of us to see.

  

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Martha and Alexis

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My daughter, Alexis, and I posed for some photos.

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Martha and Bloomberg

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Now, we're ready for a photo...

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A Familiar Face -- and a Friend!

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Seth Meyers introduced me as an honoree at last night's event.

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Making Grape Jelly!

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Read More About Making Jelly on Martha's Blog

Recently, I took some time to make jelly from the heaps of fruits that were harvested this season. I used a recipe by chef and jam maker, Christine Ferber, a fifth-generation pastry maker from the Alsace region of France, who has won acclaim and awards for her baked goods, yet holds a particular passion for preserves. 

 

The apples were added to the pot with the grapes. Be sure to try Christine Ferber's recipe for Alsatian Muscat Grape Jelly from her book, "Mes Confitures".

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Grape Juice Collecting

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Collect the juice by pouring it into a fine chinois sieve or a bag like this one. This is my favorite jelly bag I purchased in England.

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Pouring the Juice

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I love how the juice pours out from the corners of this ladle.

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Jarring the Jelly

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Center the lid on the jar, allowing the sealing compound to contact the jar rim.

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The Finished Product -- Fresh Preserves!

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Twenty-four delicious jars of apple-grape jelly for all to enjoy!

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A Hot-Air Balloon Flight over My Farm and a Horseback Ride

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Read More on Martha's Blog

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to catch some other breathtaking sights - of a hot-air balloon flying over my Bedford farm. Balloon pilot, certified FAA instructor and owner of Balloons Over Westchester, LLC, Michael Blum, was flying a passenger toward the reservoir just as I was outside my front porch looking out at my paddocks and fields.

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Sky Views!

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From my view on the ground, Michael seemed to be "floating" over my hay fields.

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Balloons and Fog

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It was about 8am when this photo was taken. In the distance, the Cross River Reservoir was covered with a sheet of fog. The balloon's shadow was still seen in the trees just past my chicken coops.

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Photos from Way Up High

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Once he landed, Michael decided to take a couple of pictures of the reservoir from the ground.

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