A 'Berry' Busy Life

It was a wild few weeks here at the Ryan house, you might say it is 'ripe' with change. Between showings (I am calling them viewings) and open houses (again I am calling them open caskets - I am sick but it is getting me through the stress, ok?), job interviews and blueberry jam muliplication and conversion from ounces to pints back to ounces, to pounds per square inch over pi (I think I spelled that right?)... I wonder why I have two open Diet Coke with Lime sodies on my desk???

Well through all the miss calculations and lots more jam than we know what to do with (with the exception of one batch that a certain pregnant someone forgot to add the lemon juice) we had a great time. Jam is pretty simple (a lot more simpler than applesauce - hello! - to make but very messy!) Lukas didn't tag along this time... too overtired and Mom needed a break damnit!

Start by smashing the berries (again more math by guessing how much a certain number of ounces of whole berries will make a certain number of cups of crushed)


Then you bring it to a boil with sugar and lemon juice


When it does boil you have to be careful not to boil it over the pot. "Blow off the top!" Is now a phrase I repeat for the fun of it in a paniced scream - poor Aunt Sue.

After it boils for one minute you must add the liquid pectin "ALL AT ONCE!"

(It may be difficult to tell to the untrained eye but I am on the left, Becky - the pregnant one - is on the right.)

Now you have to skim off the foam. This takes a lot of concentration.


Next you pour into tiny favor sized jars. Again this also is no fun and takes a lot of concentration.


Wipe off the excess. Seriously we had a good time...


Then add the pretty bow!


Easy as pi! :)