Strawberry Jam Procrastination.

This week has been hard to do homework and study when I want to be reading for fun, cooking and cleaning around the house, playing outside, and looking for jobs for when I graduate in 9 weeks. I think I have found a ton of ways to procrastinate studying for my finance class. One of which was to make Strawberry Jam. As you might remember, a few weeks ago Eric and I went strawberry picking and picked 2 gallons of strawberries. Well some of these strawberries were frozen for smoothies and jam making. I like to make freezer jam and it is SOO easy!

Here is what you need:
4 Cups Sugar
2 Cups smashed strawberries (like I said, I use my frozen ones so they have to be thawed first)
2 Tbs of lemon juice
1 Packet of Pectin



5-6 cleaned jam jars with self sealing lids
1 Ladle
1 funnel (makes it a lot less messy!)



In a large sauce pot mix together the sugar, strawberries, and lemon juice.




You want this to cook hot so I usually have my stove up all the way. Bring the sugar fruit mixture to a rolling boil (this is when it keeps boiling even after you stir it). Mix in pectin and stir for 1 minuet.

Remove from heat and skim off any foam that might appear on top. Use the ladle and funnel to pour mix into jam jars. Leave about a 1/2 inch room on top.



Fill up all of your jars.




Then screw on lids tightly (please use an oven mit or towel to hold onto the jars...they will be HOT!). Now leave out to cool down on the counter. Once cooled place in the freezer for storage. The Jam will last one year in the freezer and a few weeks in the refrigerator.

Good luck Jamming!

Altamaha River Preview

Like I mentioned in my last post...last weekend we went canoeing down the Altamaha River in South Georgia. We started at Carters Bight Landing and ended 28 miles down river at Jaycee's Landing. It took us 7 hours to paddle down the river (however we did float a few times) and spent one night on the shores of the river. We had a great trip!

Here are a few pictures from Kelly's camera...

CSA Week 5

I didn't take a picture!?! I know, it is hard to believe! This week we received basil, cilantro, dill, more summer squash, radishes, beets, kale, lettuce, and garlic scapes. I have never made squash casserole, but I think I am going to try it with the large amount of squash we have been getting! Anyone have a good recipe?

In other news....I am back in school and again completely overwhelmed. The two classes I am taking are demanding a lot of work. One class, leadership, I know I will enjoy and will enjoy the challenge it brings. The other class, managerial finance, will not be a joy in any way shape or form. Right now, I am just hoping for a 'C'. On the bright side, I only have 7 weeks of class left...that is 14 class nights before I graduate!

We also went canoeing this past weekend on the Altamaha River. We did this trip with Michelle and Kelly like we did last year. I will tell you more about the trip when I get my pictures developed (I used a waterproof disposable camera). So stay tuned....

CSA Week 4

It just keeps getting better and better! This week we got: butter lettuce, beets, turnips, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, onions, arugula, basil, cilantro, chard and TONS of summer squash. It is all SOO good! I think the carrots are the best I have ever tasted. They have amazing flavor! Here are some pictures of all the wonderful veggies that we got.





AND, tonight I go back to school for my final 8 weeks of class. I am taking managerial finance (YIKES!) and Leadership. 16 class nights left before I graduate with my MBA. :)

Corn & Basil

One of my favorite foods is corn on the cob. Not just any corn on the cob...but grilled corn on the cob. I grew up eating grilled corn in its husk and cooked over a camp fire or on the grill. It is sooo good! A few years ago my friend Missy introduced me to corn on the cob with basil. All you do is husk the corn and then wrap the cob in tinfoil with some butter, S&P, and basil leaves then grill it until it is done. The basil adds a wonderful flavor to the corn! Next time you have corn on the cob you should try it!

Strawberries and CSA Week 3!

Tuesday was a wonderful day! I had a 1/2 day of work and spent my time doing things I normally don't get to do on full work-days. I got to go to lunch with some friends! I also got to spend the afternoon with my wonderful husband who was willing to take me strawberry picking at Washington Farms! We had a good time picking (and eating a few) strawberries. As always I had my camera....and as always Eric didn't want me to take pictures of him but I have to. I think he is pretty cute. ;)







We picked 2 gallons of strawberries for $20, a great deal if you ask me! And they are SOO delicious! After picking, we drove out to Roots Farm to pick up our weekly CSA. Week three is so far the best!!! We got: broccoli baar, onions, garlic, turnips, two heads of butter lettuce, carrots, radishes, beets, dill, kale and more strawberries. It is all very yummy! We still aren't sure what to do with Kale. We've tried a few things and haven't been too impressed....maybe its just not for us.

Look at all these beautiful veggies! YUM!



As always, I cant wait to see what we get next week for our CSA! We are trying to plan our meals around the veggies and I think we are doing a good job. I am always looking for new recipes though, so please share if you have some good ones!!