About Me

My photo
Within the confines of this blog, you will find bits and pieces of the life and times of myself, my family and friend dear and near., far and wide, few and far between. You will find bits and pieces of my world, tho small to some, but huge to me. You will find everything from 'soup to nuts',; recipes, hobbies,crafts, gardenings,loves of my life, GrandLoves-a-Plenty, and even my pets... Sooo, if you can handle family life, enjoy the tour of my 'Stuffings'.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Jammin' the Sweet Way

It's Country Jam! No, not the one in EauClaire, WI. this weekend but the one going on in my kitchen.
Do you remember these beauties from the Farmer's Market?
These delectable strawberries have been~
washed, hulled, slightly smashed, brought to a boil with sugar, lemon juice, raspberries or rhubarb, and pectin. The steady, gentle stirring was touched with my cannin'-jammin' spoon, always returning fond memories of cousin, Roger Dodger, smiling down on me. He gave me this spoon before he moved years ago to a 'better place.'
Oh, it's almost ready, and I still cannot wait to taste the foam that gets spooned off the top of the finished jam before jarring.
I remember waiting impatiently, many times, at Mom's counter, as she spooned jelly or jam foam right onto a slice of homemade bread. It was a miracle how there was always enough for each of our slices for my 8 brothers and sisters, too. We sure were a hungry, wiggly bunch.
It's a pretty sights~homemade jam!
Waiting to cool completely, before washing the jars one last time before placing them in the pantry, sometimes can take weeks, just because I love to sit back and look at them. Flavors this time are Strawberry Raspberry and Strawberry Rhubarb. Yummm ~Yummm!
Last, do you remember this odd large mosquito-like insect? It has been identified finally, thanks to bugguide.com. Tom, from Mass. identified her for me. She is a Crane Fly, ( Ctenophora Dorsalis). They have a very short life span and sometimes do not even eat during it. They do not bite, nor do they sting.
Just thought you'd want to know not to fear them, should you see one hanging out on your screens.
Thanks for stopping by once again. Have a great weekend with your loved ones or a loved book, bench in the park or stroll in the dark with the fireflies, (lightning bugs), as we called them as kids. Now, Sy and I have some garage sales to scour through. See Ya'll!

BlessYourHearts

15 comments:

Clint said...

Oh my gosh!---those jars o' jam look heavenly. You rock!

TexWisGirl said...

yum on the jam festival!!

Boho Farm and Home said...

I am loving all that jam!

Louise said...

That jam looks yummy. And, this Winter, you will be able to taste Summer in every bite. If it lasts that long, that is.

Jill said...

We have been eating strawberries by the pints this season. You're making me want to make jam though. Yours looks so yummy!

Cher' Shots said...

Yum ~ love strawberry jam. Guess I should make some. Thanks for the info on the crane fly.
'love & hugs from afar'

Lucy said...

Those are the prettiest jars of Jam I have seen for a long time. Going to try to get back to commenting. That squirrel did a great job on my Umbrella Plant, huh? That bug looks mean but I will take your word for it. Take care.

Darla said...

I love to hear the pop they make when they seal on the counter...I love seeing food that has been canned in the kitchen too. Glad you got an ID on your fly and that's it's harmless.

Helen said...

That jam is beautiful. We have those crane flies down here. Some people think they are giant mosquitoes.
Helen

Fred Alton said...

Ahh! What sweetness you've stirred up there in your kitchen! Gardens are wonderful - but they also attract the crane fly, lightnin' bug, and other insects...some beneficial (like making good fishin' bait) and others that are not pleasant (like the mosquito) which drives Frances back inside after a very short visit. Ha. ☻

jack69 said...

You girl, are the cat's meow. That is some kind of pretty. Looks delicious too. But a little side note, it is nice to have that special utensil, one with all the memories, to hold and use. I can imagine!

And that little sucker sometimes doesn't live long enough to eat! She was at your house a couple days early, or her first and last meal would have been GREAT!
(If she had sneaked some)

Love you, hope you and Sy find a treasure, I will take my girl our in the morning looking for that ONE thing.
Love you ,
\Sherry & Jack down South

jack69 said...

You girl, are the cat's meow. That is some kind of pretty. Looks delicious too. But a little side note, it is nice to have that special utensil, one with all the memories, to hold and use. I can imagine!

And that little sucker sometimes doesn't live long enough to eat! She was at your house a couple days early, or her first and last meal would have been GREAT!
(If she had sneaked some)

Love you, hope you and Sy find a treasure, I will take my girl our in the morning looking for that ONE thing.
Love you ,
\Sherry & Jack down South

Anonymous said...

The jam looks so good. I love the color.

Michelle said...

That jam looks great...that bug does not!

Buttons Thoughts said...

The jam looks yummy. It is always nice to have it all jam and just enjoy looking at the beauty of it.
I am glad you identified the bug we have them here and I always wondered what they were. B