I wrote this post a month ago, when it was still officially Winter, and I had on my jeans, my warm socks, and my pink dingle-berry apron from my friend, Anne.And as I was cleaning out my freezer and pulling out bags of frozen strawberries from last years’ crop, I knew I needed to get my jars sterilized and ready to make winter strawberry jam.
My friend Pam and her family were also asking for our usual “swap.”
Every year we get a bumper crop of strawberries, from May to October, and I never let any go to waste. Into the freezer they go, if we do not consume them first or use for fresh smoothies.
My son Garrett helped me out in the kitchen.
At times it got messy, but I tried to keep my mouth shut and just enjoy being with Garrett and to not criticize him!
And in less than an hour we had beautiful jars on the counter, ready for the tantalizing flavor on toast or peanut butter and jellies.
And ready to swap jars with Pam and her family.
She freezes raspberries and makes delicious raspberry jam in the winter.
I make strawberry.
And we swap 2 pints for 2 pints.
Oh, and a pint went next door to our neighbors!
Do you have a friend that you like to swap with?
Jam, meals, babysitting, clothing, outdoor equipment - anything to save money, right?
19 comments:
I just saw a blog about freezer strawberry jam....I have never made jam but looking at your blog makes me want too....it seems hard to me!
I use to swap dinners with 4 other girlfriends...it was fun!
sandy toe
I love the reminder to keep my mouth shut regarding the mess and just enjoy working along side my kids. Thanks!
Yummy! I have never made jam but my mom does. And I too am one who has to remember to keep my mouth shut when my kids are helping me. :)
I have done freezer jam, but have never done the real sealing thing.
I chuckled about the month old post. I took pictures of us making smoothies from our last batch of frozen peaches, but never posted it. I'll have to dust it off.
What a great idea -- making jam in April! Looks wonderful too!
I make jam in the fall. Also, one of my bosses is a bachelor who loves jam making. So, he often gives me the non-traditional jams like blackberry, gooseberry, pear & chokeberry, to name a few. Plus, he makes the best lemon & lime sweet breads I've ever tasted.
I too needed your gentle reminder to focus on the good memories with my children instead of the process. And your jam looks wonderful!
We don't officially swap, but I have friends who pass clothes to me, and I make sure to pass down as well. Not to the same families, but the karma intent is there :)
Yumm! That's good looking jam! I usually swap babysitting with a friend for some much needed time alone!
And aren't you glad for warmer weather? Yay!
Oh Man Sandy!!
Made breakfast for dinner last night and we used some of the strawberry jam. I think we could have drank it out of the jar just by itself. It is fabulous!
Thank You :) OXOX Anni
I love homemade strawberry jelly ~ especially on pancakes and waffles.
My friend and I are "sharing" a tv interview which airs today. You can check out how to see it in your area on my blog.
Or log onto ctnonline.com and click on "watch ctn live" in the left sidebar. It airs at 1:00 EST.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I mow for my elderly neighbor and give her produce from my garden. She weeds it for me. I tell her to only do as much as she can but she loves to weed, and I hate to... It is a fantastic trade for me.
Cynthia
I have frozen blueberries and raspberries from last summer. I was thinking about making a batch of combo jam! Glad to know it will work with the frozen berries!
Oooh, you've reminded me that I need to make some raspberry jam some time soon. I love homemade raspberry jam. I usually buy a box of frozen raspberries from the supermarket, and so far, they've always turned into yummilicious jam.
In my family, we actually bought a power washer, log splitter, and wood trailer with 4 of my extended family members, since those aren't items we use all the time, but come in handy to own. It has worked out well for us.
That jam looks wonderful. I will have to be thinking about swaping with friends and neighbors. If we are given veg. during the summer. I have a couple of friends that I share with.
what a fun post and has me contemplating who I swap stuff with . . . my mom does let me borrow purses and jewelry. :) Maybe I need to find some friends to swap something with. Kelly
How yummy, beautiful and neighborly, Sandy. :o) We just moved into a new development, and I hope that there are years to come of this same closeness and sharing with neighbors. In our old neighborhood we were delighted to get a bunch of tomatoes each year from a couple on our street. It was always sweet.
Have a great week, mama!
just today i was googling strawberry jam! strawberries are on super sale here! HELP! Teach me!
I am a new blogger and love your blog...I want to post great pictures like you have. What is the key to great ones?
I will be back to read more...Hope you will visit me.
Sandy, I LOOOOVVE your apron! It's soo you :)
I have never done any swapping with friends for meals, sounds great though. My apricots are almost ripe so I will be spreading some apricot jam love here soon!
xo
j
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