A Star-Studded Gala, Jelly-Making, Hot-Air Balloons, and More: The Latest from 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.

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

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

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

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

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".

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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