Things are Jamming...

...around here these days literally and non... I got the call the other day from my dear friend who owns a local farmers market.I wrote about it last year here. Its always happens on a day that i am not planning on being in the kitchen but when you get the call you have to get  jamming...literally ! This year I made regular yet a lower sugar jam and a Vanilla scented balsamic strawberry jam. I've included the recipe as I am extremely pleased how it turned out...and when I say pleased I mean I am have been eating it everyday for breakfast...on toast...mixed with Greek yogurt ...with almond butter..

On other non literal jamming notes ...my orchids are all starting to bloom as is the backyard, it's all finally starting to come together which is good as my body is a bit tired from all the yard work the past few weeks. I am adding new veggie garden beds and breaking the earth up with just a hoe and me. Its back breaking, but the physical exercise and daily sweat feel good when it is all done. Its amazing how getting your hands dirty really cleans the mind ...hey wait that's a good line "Get your hands dirty and clean your mind" or " Clean your mind...get your hands dirty"!

I  finished up my second pair of socks. Several years of knitting & crocheting, making sweaters, scarves baby clothes, booties and such I have never attempted socks. I am extremely excited to pick out my next pattern for my third pair. they are such great little projects that you can take anywhere.


Now for the Jam recipe...If you like to jam I highly recommend the book "Mes Confitures" by Christine Ferber. I adore the simplicity of this book. I haven't really used her recipes just more of her techniques. One thing I did this year was let the berries macerate overnight...this is how I got the gorgeous red juice in the measuring cup that I so wanted to make strawberry lemonade with. The color was amazing but I never got around to it. Maybe next time...

Vanilla Scented Balsamic Whole Strawberry Jam

• 2 quarts strawberries I kept mine whole
• 6 cups sugar 
• juice of two lemons
• Good quality aged balsamic vinegar I used about a quarter cup but would use more next time
• Pure vanilla bean paste 2 tsps.

Macerate the berries overnight in a cup of sugar ...drain ...add strawberries and sugar in a heavy bottomed
stock pot ( this is what I use I haven't yet made the investment for a copper jam pot ..one day)add lemon juice. Now to make matters easier because I believe jam making is subjective, as is any recipe, follow any jam making cooking instruction you are comfortable with. It is a practice makes perfect/ trial and error process. After making jam a while you learn to judge by looks and texture as to when its done. When you have reached desired consistency add the balsamic and vanilla and start the jarring process. Enjoy!
I am thinking this would make a great topping for a Mascarpone cheesecake recipe. Now that will be the next recipe!

Oh and how about that strawberry that looks like a tea pot!

Well I leave you with this ... a little Jammin with Bob Marley

Have a great weekend and if you have a favorite jam recipe to share please do!
Ming

Sping, Sprang, Sprung...

Oh May what happened??? I had such high hopes! April was going so smooth I was ahead of schedule with the spring cleaning and the garden....than  BAM!! We got hit with Strep throat (the week I was helping to coordinate Teacher Appreciation week!) Mothers Day in bed, not necessarily a negative... though first I made an great fritatta (recipe below) then caught up on some stitching. Then the little big man's 7th birthday...a massive Pokemon party. Then a visit with family...Sebastian was back in town YAY! What a sweetheart he is. Memorial day was three days of catch up with the yard and garden. We are almost caught up. I know.. I know...  I  promised that crochet pattern ...it's coming...our computer isn't being very nice to me lately.

So here is what its all looked like lately...

So Spring Sprang and now its Sprung...88 and humid today with thunderstorms ...the spring blossoms are gone Lilies of the Valley, Dogwood and Cherry trees all gone...  summer lilies and roses are pushing through. I'm ready for it now ...I think ! We definitely needed this rain as the tree pollen as been so thick.

 I made this Pumpkin bread for Teachers Appreciation... It gets an A+!  I added a Lemon kissed cream cheese glaze that I made up which certainly didn't hurt !

15 first graders, yeah that got out of control real fast! Thank god for my older kids who saved the day with a scavenger hunt and Pokemon bingo.Thanks to Pinterest too with all the great Pokemon party ideas. We had an ice cream sunday bar, pizza and tie dyed t-shirts. The party got an A+ as well.

Another A+ to my dear blogger friend Andi, who sent me the wonderful teas and a delicious yarn. How did she know that was my most favorite color and that I love Kombucha tea!? Now that's just good Karma!

 A beautiful sock is just waiting to be cast on with this.

I am behind but I just love the Once Upon a Time Sampler.It is turning out to be just adorable and a lot of fun but I must be more diligent in working on it!

Hermione sock is just about done. I have been true to my word and have not started on any other socks until this was finished...for I know myself and would just end up with numerous half finished socks on needles!

The Mother's Day Fritatta

• 6 eggs and 1/4 cup milk S&P mix together set aside
• In a skillet add 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter melt on medium heat
• slice 4-5 baby bella mushrooms chop, 1/4 cup sweet onion chopped , 4-5 cherry tomatoes sliced & a heavy handful of Arugula or any other green you favor dd to pan and saute still they soften..add egg mixture
• 1/3 cup Italian Fontina cheese sprinkle on top 
• cook on stove top for a few minutes and then transfer skillet ( make sure it is oven safe) to oven at 350 till it fluffs up and sets about 20 minutes. Enjoy.
• a note about Italian Fontina...Swiss or Italian ...Its a bit mild and nutty and creamy and oh so delicious! If you cant find it regular Fontina wont disappoint.:-).

And how cute are these kids!!!! Ahh so sweet they make my heart sing<3

Oh and Hello Mr. Tree Frog thank you for the little night time visit.

I think on my last post I left you saying that I was talking the hubby into going to NYC for the day ... We did and it was wonderful ! You can see the pictures on  Instagram  now . 

Have a wonderful week and I will get working on that pattern now as it is a cosy day here with a nice soft rain falling. A perfect covered porch day...or a perfect making strawberry jam day too as they are in season here. All in all things are pretty good if these are my decisions to make today.

Be well,

Ming