Summer Jam and Pickles

My friend Maria inspired me to share non-letterpress experiences on my blog since I'm excited about a bunch of crafts.

This summer I've been blessed with a little extra time to nest and prepare for the school year. One of the highlights was canning. Our friend, Lisa, gave us half a bushel of delicious peaches. Then, my mom came over with oodles of apricots and offered to help me make jam. I've always made it with her so it was time to listen and learn so I can do it solo if I need to.

The jam we made turned out beautifully and I couldn't resist taking a photo of the light shining through the sugary stuff.

After such a great experience I felt motivated to make use of extra cucumbers and beets that had been left in the "share" box at my Rio Gozo CSA pick-up. Maria loaned me The Joy of Pickling, a fascinating collection of mouthwatering pickle recipes from around the world. Here is a photo of some spicy pickles.

It's certainly a proud moment when the cans come out of the bath and the lids make that little popping sound!