Mom's Blackberry Jam

I have something to admit. I'm a HUGE fan of berries. All berries. And of homemade jams, jellies, and preserves. I've only made them a handful of times. With My Guy's grandma. She is so good at it! Never uses recipes. And ALWAYS comes up with wonderful treats for us!

For a while now, I've wanted to make my own. And just couldn't think, of what type I'd make. I bought some apricots last week. Then I ate them all! :) Then I tried raspberries. Oh, but those were delish too!

As you can tell, I've had this on my mind,m for a while now. My Mom and I, had also been talking about making some preserves. Maybe peach. Because one of their employees, brought them a few sacks of peaches. Yum!

Well, all of this made more sense, when I saw this week's Gooseberry Patch, Free Recipe of the Week. Blackberry Jam! I immediately knew, I had to make it. I ran to the store, bought all the blackberries I could find. And when this guy got home from work, we had jars and jars of Blackberry Jam!!!



Mom's Blackberry Jam

4 c. blackberries, washed and hulled
4 c. sugar
4 1/2-pint canning jars and lids, sterilized

Place blackberries in a large Dutch oven; just cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil; add sugar. Boil until mixture drips thickly from a wooden spoon, about 30 to 45 minutes. Spoon into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims; secure with lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes; set jars on a towel to cool. Check for seals. Makes 4 jars.



So let me be honest with you, it was wonderful! Super easy to make. And if you've ever wanted to try your hand at canning, this would be the recipe to try. It's ridiculously easy! And delish!

Oh, and it doesn't hurt, that I have a GREAT history with blackberries. Growing up, our neighbors had a HUGE blackberry bush. For days and days, maybe even weeks, my friend and I would eat blackberries. Straight from the bush. We didn't bother washing them. They were that good, and sweet!

Now that I have this under my belt, I think I'm going to try some more. I'd LOVE to make some strawberry preserves. Or apple butter. And my Mom wants to try something with those yummy peaches. Oh Gooseberry Patch, I think you created a "Canning Monster!" ♥

Hair Inspiration

I can't lie here. I've been in a bit of a "Hair Funk" lately. Either, I straighten my hair, and wear it down. Maybe throw it in a messy ponytail at work. Or I wear it, totally natural at home. All crazy curly, with a touch of product, to hold the curl. If I wear my hair this way, I generally, clip it up.

Honestly, I wish that Manders was around. All the time! To do my hair. She always has some amazing hairstyle. Something simple, but with tons of impact! Oh, if I just had her skills. Then maybe, I'd do things like this...



Yes, I've been inspired! I want to wear braids. Back in high school, I adored braids! Wore french braids, instead of ponytails. When I was a cheerleader. Not the usual kind. But 2 braids, that lead into one. Oh, I miss my braids! The top middle picture, is my inspiration. For tomorrow. When I hangout with My Bestie. Then we meet My Guy, and this guy, for dinner. Yes, I might just put a little effort, into my mile long hair! ♥

29 is the Time to Leap!

"All growth, is a leap in the dark. A spontaneous unpremeditated act, without benefit of experience." ~Henry Miller

Sometimes, I feel like it's time to jump. To just take that flying leap, off of a ledge. To just experience life. I feel like, in many ways, I've held back. I've censored myself. In life. I haven't allowed myself, to fully experience life. To enjoy life.

I'm looking at "Year 29," as being a real "life changer." A point, when my life really does change. For the better. When I grab life, and really let myself grow. To grow in my happiness, soul, and my heart. I want to be a better person.

Much of my life, has been lived, walking a very "fine line." Not really jumping into anything. Not really going 100%, "in over my head" deep. And I want to change that. I want to jump, without over thinking things. I want to be that person, that just runs full force, into life!



This picture, in so many ways, inspires me. So much, that I had it printed, on a canvas. For my office. To remind me, that sometimes, we just need to "grow wings." And take that running leap. To really, go after life.

It's funny! That the older I get, the more chances I want to take. The more I want to just be, truthful to me. I want to expand my world. I want to really chase after my dreams. And make myself happy. Truly happy. Yes, this year, I plan to make it really count. Year 29, is going to be the year, that I allow myself, to be me. ♥

So Creative!

We were having dinner with My Guy's grandma the other day. It's always a good time. We love to catch up with her. I honestly, wish that we had more time, to spend with her. We have a lot in common. Most of the time, I'll cook. Because she LOVES Mexican food. And well, I happen to be pretty good at cooking it. :O)

We also share a love of crafts. She doesn't really craft. But she appreciates what I do. And is always looking for new things, to share with me. Like this beautiful picture.




Could you imagine making this? It's simply beautiful! And that is all paper! Paper people! I wish that I knew, how to do this. Because it's beautiful! Or at the very least, find the person that made it. I'd LOVE to buy a piece! ♥

One More Reason to Knit

This is just one more reason for me to learn how to knit. Aren't these the cutest little Christmas ornaments? I would love a white Christmas tree, with lots of lights, and a ton of these ornaments. Yup, a ton of these all over my Christmas tree.

I guess if I start learning how to knit now, maybe by Christmas time next year, I might have enough knitted ornaments for my tree. What do you think? That snowman just melts my heart. ♥