I only make two types of jam. Plum for myself and Cully May, and strawberry for the rest of the family. January is the season for plum making, as is March, and you may wonder why both months?
January, because plums are abundant and both Cully May and myself are scraping the bottom of our last jars from 2023, and March because plums are at the end of the season and can usually be bought at their lowest price. Thinking about that now, I should plan to make double the amount of plum jam in March so we do not run out by the following January. Now why did I not think of that before?? ;-)
Most of my family prefer smooth jam (I like lumpy) so for the past couple of years I have washed, cut, and then chopped the fruit in my food processor and found this to be the easiest way to make the jams they like best.
The pulp is smooth, and the jam cooks quicker too.
Then I add the sugar and a split vanilla pod, and let it all marinate together in a covered pot for about 3 or 4 hours.
We don't like jam that's too sweet, so my ratios are mostly fruit, with about 40% less sugar than most jam recipes. For this batch of jam I began with 1.8 kg of plum pulp, and added 1 kg of sugar.
(That's around 4 pounds of plum pulp and 2.2 pound of sugar, for those in the USA)
After the 4 hours I boil the mix, and just before it's ready to fill my pre-sterilised jars, I add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 25g of Jamsetta. Then boil for another 5 minutes before testing a teaspoonful in the fridge.
I use exactly the same method for strawberry jam and it always works perfectly. If apricots were cheaper I'd love to make apricot jam, but the prices at the moment, and usually all through summer, are beyond my budget. Also, I don't make strawberry jam in summer, as here in the tropics, our strawberry season is winter and come August they are the cheapest price all year - so I buy a lot and make loads of strawberry jam.
Did you notice the lovely lids for my jam jars?
If we want a marmalade, or an apricot jam, I usually buy Bonne Maman, as does my neighbour and Blossom, so I have a regular source of Bonne Maman jam jars (I now have a cupboard full) for preserving my own jams.
Last year I went on the hunt for new lids for those jars, and discovered these gorgeous gingham ones from Amazon, which fit the jars perfectly, and now I use them for all my jam making. They measure 82mm if you're after something similar and I bought them HERE on Amazon Australia (I am not an affiliate, just sharing the link in case it helps you).
What I love about these gingham jam jar lids, and the fabric jar toppers I make a lot of, is that they brighten my pantry shelves! Recently I made a new batch of jar toppers from leftover Tilda Sunday Brunch fabric, but I also made a rather different type of jam jar to sit on the shelf as well.
This is actually a pin cushion, and I made it on the weekend from Amy Sinibaldi's 2014 book, "Sweetly Stitched Handmades". It cost me nothing but my time as I am shopping from my stash this year to decorate my home and make gifts...but I also didn't have to buy a pattern. Admittedly, I failed in the first attempt because of a missed step in the pattern instructions, but I soon worked it out and the second attempt made my heart sing as its so cute on my pantry shelf among the remaining jars of strawberry jam.
It occurred to me last week as I was considering things I'd like to make for the kitchen and pantry, that I have a lovely big shelf of craft books, and some of them 10-15 years old. So I decided to brew a cuppa and sit down with a few and browse their pages for projects to make this year. I mean, after all, they are a free resource, another way of shopping from home!
Here's a project idea that will soon be on my cutting table with associated threads. It's from Caroline Zoob's 2013 book "Hand-Stitched Home", and she has two options in the pattern section for an embroidered shelf edging, one is red...
...and the other is blue.
The book has all the pattern sheets to trace, and it is full of many other gorgeous vintage style designs too. Like this one, an embroidered egding for a chair cover...
I am actually considering using the chair embroidery for my planned shelf edging...it's so sweet and simple and perfect for my kitchen style.
Do you have craft or sewing books on your shelves that are gathering dust? Perhaps a nice afternoon could be spent browsing through them, making notes, and planning a few slow-stitched projects for your home?
Sewing for the home is an aspect of Gentle Domesticity that I love, especially unrushed, slow-stitching, that has a purpose. Creating beauty in your home is indeed a worthwhile purpose. When God created in the beginning, just ponder the extraordinary joy it gave him, far beyond anything we can understand or have the imagination for, and the satisfaction at the end of the day when He looked over all He had made and said, "It is good." He could have created the world in one instant if it had been His desire, but day by day He added to His vision, until all was complete and ready for us.
Little by little this year I shall be bringing beauty to our home, by the work of my hands, and using what is already here. I'm so excited about this, and added to this plan, I began an extra Instagram account that focuses just on the home, homemaking, home crafts, home cooking, faith...yeh, all things to do with HOME. You'll find it HERE or search for @elefantzhome on Instagram. (My original IG account will now just focus on designing)
So I'd best sign off for today as my plum jam mix is still marinating in the pot, and it's about time to begin cooking it. Cully May will be thrilled!
Thank you for praying for Blossom and her family. It just might be possible that they'll find out today about a house, after missing out on about thirty others. I designed and stitched this little framed stitchery late last year (inspired by an old one with the same message that I did many years ago), and yesterday the Holy Spirit prompted me to take it over to her, so I did. The message was very clear.
We do believe in miracles, and we do believe they come in God's perfect timing, so we keep the faith and let Him work it all out. That has brought our family a whole lot of peace recently.
If you're interested in the pattern for someone you know, or for yourself, its HERE in my shop.
God bless you today, and every day, and may He garciously impart a portion of His creativity into your own life this year.
Hugs,
11 comments:
Lumpy jam ! Most definately lumpy jam !
This makes me hope that summer comes quickly so I can start making my own jam again! I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes less sugar in their jam. I love it when you can still taste a little bit of the tartness of the fruit. I usually try to make me enough to last the whole year, but I was so busy refinishing cabinets for work and was crazy busy last summer with family stuff that I didn't get nearly enough made and I'm sadly on my last container of my favorite raspberry jam. I've never considered plum jam before, but you're making me rethink my stance on that. Thanks so much for sharing!
Plum jam is absolutely delicious, so I hope you give it a try. :-)
Nothing so comforting as a jar of home made jam. Seville orange season here so marmalade time, but I still have a couple of jars from last year so will make them last until next January. I have not come across Caroline's book before and will look out for it now - I am a subscriber to her magazine which is absolutely gorgeous!! so a new follower of her work. Holding Blossom and family in my prayers and hope all works out for them. xx
I guess I am one of the odd ones, but I have never cared for jam or jelly. Maybe because it was too sweet. I am praying that Blossom and family gets the house they are waiting to find out about.
Jenny, you make my heart sing and I get such warm fuzzies from your tender posts of domesticity and family that we have lost in this world. I so look forward to seeing and hearing your posts! Thank you, thank you❤️❤️
I have never made or had plum jam, but love plums! Might need to try a batch next season. It’s the middle of winter here in Indiana and very cold so it will have to wait for now. I’ve been reading your blogs for about one year. This is my first time commenting. Thank you for all your inspiration, your sharing of ideas and patterns. Your faithfulness and words shine, always bringing me comfort. Praying for you and thanking God for leading me to you. - Cathi
Finally my dear friend - a chance to sit & catch up on your recent posts. Your jam looks so delicious - I might try your recipe as it is one thing I have never had much success with (amongst alot of things I should add!😉 ).
I have that very same Amy Sinibaldi book & you have inspired me to pull mine out as I always loved her work & her sweet projects. Yes I am trying to use what I have on hand to update some of my home this year too my dear Friend - it is such a rewarding feeling to do this & not just rush out to the shops. Prayers for Blossom & family - I do hope something comes up for them. Wishing you a lovely day dearest Jennifer xx
I've never made jam, but yours looks delicious. That may be something I'll try later on. Presently I'm gently decluttering my home and working on a quilt. I keep trying to remind myself that it doesn't all have to be done in a day. Your blog posts remind me that "gentle domesticity" means also being gentle with myself. Thank you for that reminder. Prayers for your family and that Blossom & family will find a new home.
Mary from Florida
Thanks Jennifer lovely designs. Praying they will get a house soon. Up at 5 am this morning, listening to Bible teaching on Premier Christian radio. I love Dr David Jeremiah teaching. Love Mary-Lou X
I love jam. I love even the sight of jars lined up on the shelf. And the shelf liners... oh my goodness this makes my heart leap! All joy!xxx
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