Showing posts with label jam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jam. Show all posts

Monday, August 11, 2008

Making Blueberry Freezer Jam

I have to admit, this was the easiest jam making experience EVER! Seriously people, if you're afraid, be not afraid. This is an easy process. And even though this isn't normally a cooking blog, I'm going to walk you through it. (it's an eclectic blog, at least I like to think of it that way)

So first, you'll need a package of Ball No Sugar Needed Pectin (I picked it up at Fred Meyer), blueberries, lemon juice, white grape juice or apple juice and sugar, splenda or honey if you want to sweeten it.

The first step is to put the juice and lemon juice in your pan and slowly whisk in the pectin. Heat at medium high and stir until it's a boil you can't stir down, boil and stir constantly for 1 minute.

After that you add in your 2 pounds of blueberries. Instead of mashing them with a potato masher (cuz I don't have one) I just pulsed them in the food processor a bit.

Then you stir them in vigorously for one minute. After that you add your sweetener of choice, or not. I added almost a cup of sugar. Plenty sweet for us. I was out of splenda or I would have tried that. Then you're done, seriously now, that was easy!

The last step is to ladle it into little containers you can freeze.

Then you scrape what is in the pan on a piece 'o' bread. YUMMY!!! Warm jam!
You put them in your refrigerator for up to 24 hours and when they're set you put them in the freezer. It says they'll keep in the fridge for 3 weeks. Mmmmm....my plan for this week is to make peach jam and blueberry-strawberry jam. We'll see ho much I accomplish.

I'm headed to the coast today for a memorial service. A friend I taught with in Seaside lost her son. A sad trip to the coast, but one to support a friend. Have a fabulous Monday! AND....a new pay it forward post coming soon, because I won Michelle's giveaway. And, in keeping with tradition, I will pay it forward.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Weekly Winners

Weekly Winners
August 3-9th, 2008

Me playing with my new camera!! (my fuji died last week, but I quickly went out and purchased a new camera...an olympus fe-340 and am LOVING IT!)
The best part!!!
Chocolate zucchini cake with whipped topping....mmmmmm.....

Purty sunrise Monday morning...just had to capture it!

I'm a dork, but had to share my new Dansko shoes...like my socks?!
Another zoo trip....
Mr. Mountain Goat...contemplating a jump?

Am LOVING the zoom on my new camera!!
Mr. Bald Eagle
Zoo lovin' McShort
Tee Hee Hee....my gal pal Lori
Mr. Beaver...the first time he hasn't been in his den...yahoo!
Erin McShort, Sophie McShort and Original McShort

This sheep was tenacious, he had his nose stuck through the fence and was licking on the greenery...too funny!!!

Penguin Love with my McShort and Natalie McShort

Have I mentioned yet that I love the zoom on my new camera?

Hello! Mr. Hippo.

Neat-o birds in with the giraffe.

Mr. Monitor (icky)

Hey, are you kids old enough to drive?
Katie, Original McShort, Natalie McShort and Derrick McI'm Going to Kindergarten this year.

Love the Giraffe!

Love my new camera zoom!!!

A little zebra butt always makes my day complete. He looks like he's smiling too, doesn't he?!

The bird show at the zoo.

(Sad) Group Photo...oh well...it was a tiring day!

mmmmmm.....blueberry jam I made....come by tomorrow for directions :)

Phew...that's a lot of shots. For more, go see Lotus and all the links to more Weekly Winners!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

I Got Blog Bling!

Yeah baby, I got me some sweet blog bling compliments of Jane. Seriously, go check out this post. Notice how sweetly she talks about me, unlike some of my "friends". hee hee...peggy if you're reading this, which you're probably not cuz peggy doesn't do blogs. I know. Sick.
So you may have also noticed how Jane had a bunch of rules of stuff I was supposed to do. Yeah right. Like I follow anyone's rules. So, if you want me to award you blog bling, you just leave it in the comments section and I'll send it your way!!

I made blueberry freezer jam last night. Talk about yummy and easy! I put it on my toast this morning...success!! I've got more berries, so I may be making another round of it today. Maybe I need to throw some bread into the bread machine too, that would go well with the jam. Or maybe some cheesecake....the list goes on...

OH and I won a pay it forward giveaway!!! OH YEAH BABY!!! Bring on the goodies. Click here to see what Michelle is going to send me (and I can't wait...wow...talk about generous!).

So have a happy Saturday. Mr. Tall and I are going to the Rose City Rollers for a long awaited date night. Bring on the violence people. I've never been so I'm not really sure what to expect, but I'm sure it'll be lots of fun!!

OH! And I almost forgot...go over to Mommies United and enter to win this spectactular giveaway!