Jam, Can, Thank You, Ma'am

My friend Kristina has been dubbed our local "Canning Queen" by those who know her. Last year she quite literally delved head first into her own private canning frenzy, consumed with her lust to learn all the intricacies and secrets of canning. She documented it all on her blog, and we, her delighted friends, were privileged to be allowed to sample some of her canned yummies over the long winter months. You should be so lucky. (Ok, well, some of you are...)

This year, a seasoned (one season, but, man! what a season!) canner, Kristina graciously offered some of her less domesticated friends (me! over here! I consider myself fairly proficient in the kitchen but this experiement, partly inspired by Kristina, but without her help, turned out to be a rock solid nightmare) a lesson in the fine art of making and canning strawberry jam. It was so much fun we decided to make it a once monthly canning club. Next up, blueberry jam. Maybe some of that delicious peach salsa we tasted (and finished off) today. Oh, and possibly some apple butter!

Fresh from the farmer's market. Not as great as picking your own, but pretty damn close.

My strawberry girl, ready to can with the ladies. (Please respect the added cuteness factor of her strawberry shirt. The girl knows how to dress for an occasion.)

This is what was left after G finished "helping" hull the strawberries...we probably lost a whole jam jar's worth of berries in the process. This was nothing however, compared to the number of just-picked cherries she consumed later in the day.

Mashed Fruit and Hot Ladies.

Step by tiny-step instructing.

Just being cute.

Kristina keeping busy while the novices man the strawberry jam; she's workin' on cherries. The woman doesn't stop!

A little down-time coloring with the cutest girl there. G and "Aunt" Kate.

Team-work! Kate and Karli (and Karli's hot nails, freshly manicured, pre-jam making ;)

So ridiculously proud of my first jam jar.


Finished processing and...


One batch done. We did it all over again and made one more batch.

I now have 8 jars of strawberry jam in my basement and am already cleaning out room in the pantry for more. Before we left Kristina helped us make a little list of all the essential canning supplies and even told us where to find them. I must confess a mortal weakness for all gadgets kitchen related, even though I don't have room for all the cool crap stuff I already own. I am feeling a burning desire to purchase a big-ass canning pot, jar tongs, scale, little magnetic lid thingy, and a few dozen boxes of pectin.

Happy 4th, Peeps!

Looking forward to:

July Sunshine! (It has to be just around the corner, right? Right??)

The Great "Can-scapade" with the girls on Friday. There will be pictures and posts here, here, and here, I'm sure. Oh, and here, too! Now, I just have to find time to scrounge up some strawberries before noon tomorrow...

Introducing my daughter to the laughter, creativity, good food, and love that ensues when a group of women gather in a kitchen for an afternoon.

Fourth of July BBQ and swimming at my mother-in-law's on Saturday. And fireworks? We'll see. Last year G slept right through them. Unbelievable.

A Sunday trip to the creek and relaxing with my little family after a busy few days.


I hope each and every one of you have a splendid, restful, enjoyable holiday!