Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I Be Jammin'

I told you I got some other goodies from LTW's farm but I didn't say what. It was strawberries...LOTS of strawberries. She needs to clear out the freezer for the incoming chickens this weekend. I had strawberries coming out my ears, er I mean my freezer. Too many to even all fit in my little chest freezer. So what's a gal to do? When LTW gives you berries get busy and make some jam, of course. The berries were from her folks berry patch last year so luckily they were all cleaned and ready for me to work with. Ever try mashing thawed strawberries? It is not for the faint of heart, let me tell you. I decided to take out my trusty food processor and that was the BEST decision I made! I had stopped on the way home and bought some Sure Gel and and 24 of the 16oz jars. That should be enough right? Here are the humble beginnings
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Next is the cooking stage. Very precise! Mr. Mama Spark was NO help at all! Men, sheesh!! As I was cooking the jam I was boiling water in the canning bath and boiling water to put the lids in too. Face facts I was "boiling" hot too, even with the A/C turned on!
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I got one batch finished, yeah!!
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Now I can finish using all those berries!
Sorry in advance for the "messy" pic but I was exhausted! Here are all 24 jars (yes I said 24) filled with delish strawberry jam. They are all processed and need to rest overnight. The whole thing only took 4 hours of constant work!!!
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I'm not complaining though. I love me some strawberry jam!! I even tried the sugar free version so will have to let you know how that turned out. Guess what? I still have enough berries to make at least 8 more jars with. I don't have any more jars though so maybe I will start making smoothies with some of them who knows!

I received some fabric in the mail and will share that tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!!

Oh and BTW did you notice I added a new list on the left side bar? I am going to start listing tutorials that I like when I find them so I don't have to keep trying to remember where they were and I can tidy up my bookmark list too. Feel free to use them too! If you do let me know what you think.

8 comments:

Brenda said...

Strawberries... we have an abundance. I think hubs said we have picked 64 quarts as of yesterday. I have made freezer jam, strawberry/rhubarb canned jam, strawberry/rhubarb pie and given many away. About the time you get sick of strawberries it is time for something else to get picked. Good for you!

Denise :) said...

Yum!! I think it's funny that where I stopped the blog, the picture of the jars of jams lined up with the jelly roll picture. Small minds are easily amused!!! :)

dot said...

Oh how I love home made jam and I love to make it. I do think that is one of the things I miss most about having little ones around.

Allie said...

I'll be over for breakfast - get the English Muffins ready, lol!~ Oh my that looks yummy.

Faith said...

Thankyou for showing the Jam it looks so lovely and I loved seeing the pictures of all the animals at the farm. The polish chickens are awesome!

Crispy said...

Yummmm!!! You better get lots of compliments everytime someone eats that jam LOL.

Crispy

Deb @ PlainStitch said...

Ohh! The jam has set me off, I am just off to make scones for a Devon Cream tea ( Scones, Strawberry Jam and Clotted Cream!)yumm!

dianne said...

love your strawberry goodness!!!

good for you on the weight loss - you are looking GOOD!

and if you still have some weed-pulling energy, i've got some for you - ripe and ready for pickin'...

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