Bright red strawberries made into jam and used for swirling in cream cheese frosting,
strawberry milkshakes, smoothies, homemade ice cream, over a freshly toasted bagel, on top of a belgian waffle, or swirled into hot oatmeal in the morning are all the reasons I had to buy fresh strawberries and make this jam. The recipe is so simple and any berry can be substituted. Blueberries will be next, then I will try a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. A fruit medley jam with no pectin. A simple sugar syrup is all that is used to combine with fresh fruit and a little lemon juice. A candy thermometer, pan, wooden spoon, and measuring cup is the only equipment needed and before you know it, you will be nibbling on freshly made (and still warm) strawberry jam right off the spoon.
The amount of sugar used should be altered according to how ripe the berries are. I let my strawberries ripen for a few days before using them. I froze half of the batch so that I could use frozen strawberry jam in my smoothies and strawberry shakes. Note: Change a strawberry shake into a strawberry daiquiri by adding 3 T. strawberry jam, a few whole strawberries slightly chopped, a 1/4 cup of frozen strawberry daiquiri mix, and 1/4 cup of Bacardi rum. Blend and enjoy!
For the berry jam recipe you will only need 4 ingredients:
Summer Strawberry Jam(adapted from Bon Appetit web site)
This makes about 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
8 cups halved hulled strawberries (about 5 pounds)
Preparation:
Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar
dissolves and brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to sides of pan and boil syrup until thermometer registers 225°F, about 6 minutes. Mix in strawberries. Return mixture to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until jam thickens and thermometer registers 216°F, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Transfer jam to small bowl and cool. Cover and refrigerate.
strawberry milkshakes, smoothies, homemade ice cream, over a freshly toasted bagel, on top of a belgian waffle, or swirled into hot oatmeal in the morning are all the reasons I had to buy fresh strawberries and make this jam. The recipe is so simple and any berry can be substituted. Blueberries will be next, then I will try a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. A fruit medley jam with no pectin. A simple sugar syrup is all that is used to combine with fresh fruit and a little lemon juice. A candy thermometer, pan, wooden spoon, and measuring cup is the only equipment needed and before you know it, you will be nibbling on freshly made (and still warm) strawberry jam right off the spoon. 
dissolves and brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to sides of pan and boil syrup until thermometer registers 225°F, about 6 minutes. Mix in strawberries. Return mixture to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until jam thickens and thermometer registers 216°F, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Transfer jam to small bowl and cool. Cover and refrigerate.
Boy am I ever showing my age with that title, huh?? LOL! Isn't she cute? First, before I forget, I've got to give a big shout out to my design team sista Suzy! Suzy has been making these adorable cards with her Nesties. Now I read somewhere a while back that making cards with your nesties was easy. But I had never tried it. But with lots of fabulous inspiration from Suzy, I came home tonight after work and did one. OMG, I love it! Sooooo quick and easy, and I'm a fiend for shaped cards anyway! I will be making lots more of these. I'll tell you that right now! LOL! But for now, this is what I came up with for Three Clovers Thursday Challenge by Kerry over at Three Clover Designs. Her challenge for you this week is to make a shaped card. Any kind of shape as long as it's not a square or rectangle. LOVE that kind of challenge.
I used this adorable Tilda with garland in her hair. I just LOVE her! I know...I know...I love them all...but I really do LOVE her! LOL! I also used the cute butterfly background stamp that is from the Chasing Butterflies collection. So cute! The stamps are colored with my Copic markers (pic below). All of this is available at Magnolia-licious!
Also did a quick faux chipboard word of "hi" with my Sesame Street Font cartridge with my Cricut Expression. Did a very simple decoration for the inside of the card too. This little cutie will be up for sale in my etsy shop if you're interested.
That's it for this one. Very quick and easy! Whatcha think?? Be sure and visit Three Clovers Designs to check out the challenge and the wonderful examples from the awesome Inspiration Team. Thanks lots for stopping by to see me tonight, and I sure hope to see you again soon! Have a fabulous weekend!!!! Big hugs!
Melanie Acevedo
Clearly this gentleman has had too much coffee, someone cut him off!
Pia and Scott! So cute!
