Vintage Kitchen Vixen

Seasonal Living

Maple Bourbon Cranberry Sauce Made Easy for the Holidays

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cranberries for maple bourbon cranberry sauce

This maple bourbon cranberry sauce will beat anything that comes out of a can. Learn how to make this classic holiday condiment and the different ways you can punch it up to make it your own.

Maple bourbon cranberry sauce, how good does that sound?

Better than the sound cranberry sauce makes when it’s sliding out of the can, that’s for sure!

When I was a kid, it was usually my job to mash up the jellied cranberry sauce to make it more presentable for the table.

A few of us would put a polite spoonful on our plates and a couple of us, well, just my uncle, would say no entirely. I can’t blame him.

Really, who wants high-fructose corn syrup in their cranberry sauce anyway?

Making cranberry sauce from scratch seems intimidating at first, but it couldn’t be more simple!

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Wild Violets: Foraging, Recipes, and 7 Beautiful Uses

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Wild Violets: 7 Lovely and Practical Uses for These Backyard Beauties

It always feels like spring really arrives when the wild violets start blooming. They pop up quietly across the lawn, undeterred by chilly winds or clumsy boots. They don’t ask for much — just a patch of soil, a bit of sun, and no one to mow them down.

Some people see them as weeds, but I never have. To me, they’re little purple flags waving us into the new season, softening the world after winter’s long stay. And best of all, they’re not just beautiful — they’re useful, too!

If you have wild violets growing in your yard or along your favourite walking path, here are five lovely and practical ways to use them — simple things you can make or do that honour their charm and bring a bit of old-fashioned magic into your home.

what to do with violets

What Are Wild Violets?

Wild violets (Viola odorata) are low-growing perennials that bloom in early spring. Often mistaken for weeds, these edible flowers are rich in vitamins A and C and have long been used in traditional herbal medicine. You’ll usually find them carpeting shady lawns or garden edges with their heart-shaped leaves and signature purple blooms.

Unlike the African violets we keep in pots indoors, these little wildlings are edible from the leaves to the flowers, They’re rich in vitamin C and offer gentle support for the lymphatic system and respiratory health. Violets have been traditionally used in salves, syrups, teas, and even as a natural dye.

Note: Always make sure to harvest wild violets from unsprayed areas, free from chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

RELATED: Is Garlic Mustard Invading Your Garden? Eat it!

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