Made a batch of strawberry jam last night. Killer good and I’m seriously looking forward to having some toast tonight. We bought the berries from one of those folks that come up from Sana Cruse or wherever. Perfect strawberries. Need to get some over to my sister before they go bad.
Recipe for supper easy strawberry jam.
2 1/4 lb or about 8 cups of small strawberries capped (you can cut some if they’re really big)
4 cups sugar
6 Tbsp lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
Layer the strawberries and the sugar. Cover and leave over night.
Pour strawberries sugar into a pan and add lemon juice. Bring to a boil while stirring.
Boil aprox 10-15 minuets. 220 on a sugar thermometer or use the wrinkle test (some on a plate that’s chilled for a few minuets will wrinkle on the surface) Leave set for a few minuets to jell the liquid and suspend the fruit. Stir.
Use standard canning methods. And a 10 minuet water bath.
I’ve also been trying to get in the garden as much as the weather allows. Planted some spinach and some lettuce. Bought the transplants. I have seeds but am starting to run out of space;) and honestly a little overwhelmed with them. But it’ll be worth it and it’s a generallyfun overwhelmed (unlike work lately)
I have an indoor light system set up this year. Pretty simple. I used one of those great big snap together plastic shelving units from Home Depot. Hung a shop lamp on each one that I can raise or lower with attached chains. Used 3 inch plastic cups with drainage holes for the pots. sautering irons are great for making holes in plastic;). Most of my tomato seedlings are up, don’t have their true leaves yet. The peppers I started in January look beautiful. Lavender, johnny jump ups are good. The cottage pinks, sweet pea and hollyhocks are doing ok. Some of them haven’t come up so don’t know what’s up with the slow pokes. May reseed those that didn’t germinate. The sweet Williams are ok but I can’t quite figure out way they’re so leggy. They get lots of light, may be just the plant. Artichokes are busting up. Pretty seedlings. Eggplants germinating.
I seriously can’t wait for the weather to get with the program. It’s ok temp wise (sort of) but the wind is killing me. Oh yeah, I also bought pansies. Need some more color, need to plant them;). And a great thyme, elfin thyme, the leaves are tiny. I have potatoes started in a trash can but they haven’t been doing anything. Actually think that last cold may have killed them off but there seems to be a bit of life. Planted peas but none have germinated. It’s probably too cold for them still. And of course Matt and I are still working on getting the yard together. This year it’ll be more on the side yard and it’s a challenge with less cash than we’d like.
Hope all’s well for everyone else.
