Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam (best ever)

My Mom and I used to get together to make jam during strawberry season when I lived near her.

(she's playin' in Mexico with my dad for two weeks - lucky!!!)

My parents did all kinds of canning when all of us kids (6) were home. Our garden was huge. Once you're used to fresh homemade food like that - you never forget the taste. So after I got married and purchased store jam....I quickly learned to be a little more domestic from my mother.

She is amazing!

HERE is the link to the recipe we use or you can follow along below.

I got a good deal on super ripe berries at the local farmers market this weekend.

YOU NEED:

2 Cups of crushed strawberries (I like them pureed - no lumps)

(buy 1 qt. ripe strawberries)

4 Cups of white sugar

3/4 Cup of water

1 Box of Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin

Wash strawberries by soaking them a few minutes in a little salt and water then rinse.

I get my bottles all ready before I start by finding lids and washing them really good. I usually keep jars from salsa and peanut butter to use so I don't have to buy them. Each batch of jam fills about 4 to 5 jars.

Step 1

Discard stems. Puree strawberries in a blender.  In a large mixing bowl measure exactly 2 cups of prepared fruit. Stir in sugar and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. (if you don't let it sit long enough your jam will have a grainy-sugary texture)

Step 2

Mix water and pectin in a small saucepan on high heat and bring to a boil. Let it boil for a full minute stirring constantly (if not slightly longer - your jam will not set up if you don't boil it long enough). Add to fruit mixture and stir for 3 minutes.

(First day of summer - I kept the boys busy helping me)

Step 3

Fill jars immediately to within a 1/2 inch from tops. Wipe the jars and place the lids on. Let them stand at room temperature for 24 hours. That is it!

The jam is now ready to use. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to a year.

We made 6 batches....looks like a lot but my family LOVES this stuff.  I put some jam in little cute spice jars to give samples to friends. I tend to give so much away -

sharing the yum!

I bought that serving stand at Pottery Barn over the weekend.

It was half price.

If you make this jam for your family or friends - they will know you truly love them!

xoxoxoxo

sharing with - Cozy Little House

Poultry Cage Coffee Table

A new antiques store opened near my house.

I found this poultry cage for $40. It was already painted white.

I just washed it down a little and laid it face down on the floor in our living room.

I like the white against the darker rug.

I could attach legs to make it higher but I like it low.

The table top looks great all worn and white.

It's the right height for an ottoman or foot stool.

A lucky find at my new favorite spot in town.

(I can't remember the name but I will be back)

Sharing with: Flamingo Toes, Shaken Together

Teacher Gift Planter

The last day of school was today.

One of my boys' fourth grade class signed this planter for their teacher a few weeks ago for an end of year gift.

The kids used oil-based paint sharpie pens to sign it.

The class and room mom's presented it to the teacher a couple of days ago along with a chocolate bar bouquet and some gift cards. Mrs. Ayer was very happy.

My pallet console table came in handy to use for planting the pretty fern in the pot.

Now....for a nice, relaxing summer!!!

(my kids are growing up way too fast)

View the original post for the making of this plant box HERE.

Pallet Porch Console

I made something today that I am pretty excited about.

I have been wanting a table on our porch for many reasons. A drink station for the kids was the main motivation for this console. But I can use it for so much more - coffee or wine bar, garden cart, storage, snacks and for seasonal display.

It all started with these two pallets that I have been storing in our garage. I didn't go to the store for one thing today - I love uninterrupted projects (no store trips anyway).

I cut the sold pallet in half (with my hubbies help) and glued and screwed them together and just left one top piece of wood for the back panel. I used the other pallet for legs by cutting the two ends off along the 1x4's. Then cut those almost in half to make four legs. 

 I used an old 2x4 to make all the legs the same length and applied a center piece to keep the legs straight. (hopefully you can see in the pictures how I did it - I am not great at explaining every detail - that's why I give you lots of photos) The legs needed wood cris-cross beams from the pallet to keep them sturdy.

I mostly used my nail gun to put this together. 

For a decorative detail I used a fence rail spindle cut in half centered on the front in two places (you can see the light arrows pointing to them in the right side picture above). Where the three black stars are I used 1x6 wood to sort of "clean up" the wood ends.  (the dark piece of wood was from Ben's IKEA bed that I cut down - I never throw scrap wood away) The red star marks where I applied a flat fence post topper to the shelf center.

I used dark walnut stain on the front and top but in the hard to reach areas and "rough" wood spots I used black spray paint. When it dried I sanded it all to give it a worn look. Blended great.

Then for some other little details...

Brackets with an iron scroll tied to them with twine tops off the back panel. On one side I used my old coffee cup hanger for tools or coffee mugs and a hummingbird hook on the opposite side for something decorative.

I used a little iron nail button in the center of the shelf on the flat fence topper.

What a useful piece of furniture - basically built for free.

If you like the star hanging on my chicken coop door you can make one too - go HERE for that post.

A perfect console for my porch!

Sharing with: Coastal Charm, The Farmhouse Porch for The Scoop, Funky Junk Interiors, Craft-O-Maniac Monday

Summer Farmers Market

One thing I am enjoying this year is the new Farmers Market near our home.

My family and I can walk there on Saturday afternoons to pick out fresh fruits, vegetables, soap, seafood and meat from our local farmers. Those strawberries are so fresh - still warm from the sun. There is even a booth where they make big fresh glazed donuts...I have to stay away from that section but it gets the kids there.

This is what we brought home today - along with a pork roast but nobody wants to see a photo of raw meat. The little pot is filled with oregano and basil and only cost me $3 with the old perfectly warn terracotta planter.

Green and red leaf lettuce, green beans, peas, beets, tomatoes and strawberries.

Last weekend I purchased this handmade lavender soap, It smells so wonderful.

I feel good about supporting local farmers AND feeding my family fresh food.

Last week we walked Mazi to market with us...she was too high maintenance with her socializing so she didn't get to come this time. I am trying to grow her hair out around her face....she looks so shaggy but she's such a little teddy bear.
If you have a farmers market near you - it is worth the trip. The produce and meat are 'hands down' so much better than the grocery store. If you don't know of a market close by - do a Google search to find one and support your local farmers.
See how you can make the very best strawberry freezer jam HERE