RASPBERRY PRESERVES

I spent 3 hours in a raspberry field yesterday picking LOTS of berries!!

My 3 hours yielded me 6 half-flats which I brought home and promptly processed.  Out of it, I got:

6 jars of syrup

8 jars of jam

2 dozen muffins

1 buckle

1/2 flat frozen

1/2 flat fresh for eating all day

A partial sunburn and

2 very sore feet

BUT WHAT A PRODUCTIVE DAY!!   

 This year I decided to top my jars with something pretty.  I used 6"x6" scrapbook paper squares in coordinating colors and then tied them on with a piece of twine. 

 I wrapped the twine around once and tied a square knot and then around again to the opposite side and finished with another square knot (so that there are two knots...one on each side). Then I clipped the ends.  I think they turned out so pretty!!  I can't wait to do Blackberries now!!

 In addition, while it is easy to find a recipe for jam, I also wanted to make some syrup to use on crepes, pancakes, waffles, etc.  One of our local berry farms, called "Barbies Berries", has a great recipe that can be made and used immediately, frozen or canned in jars for future use.  It can be used for any type of berry.  Here's the recipe...it is simple and yummy!!

BERRY SYRUP

2 cups berry juice*

Boil, then add:

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

Boil 1 minute.

Pour into bottles and can in warm bath like jelly or freeze. 

Keep opened or thawed berry syrup on the refrigerator.

*To make berry juice, boil berries until soft,

then strain through cheesecloth to remove seeds. 

I'm linking to Metamorphosis Monday at:

 And Debbie's Newbie Party at:

HYDRANGEAS

I love this time of year!!

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have GINORMOUS Hydrangeas everywhere!!

They are simply stunning. 

From far away and up close; every little detail...from their leaves to their petals is perfect.

    Come with me on a beautiful path laden with these gorgeous trees...

  

Hydrangea Trees

Harmony would follow Spring's appearance

In the eternal bond of their adherance

And also would come the birds and their choir

All added together, made spring conspire

Bees covered the flowers, jasmine, the air

When fair was time and time was fair

And in the tire swing, my feet slashed through clovers

For the Seraph's peaceful weather had taken over

I danced in it, I loved the sweet jubilee

That bloomed the little hydrangea trees

The dandelions that floated on the bottom of the sky

Days when ground squirrels forgot to be shy

And even butterflies came to enjoy the breeze

Fluttering beside the hydrangea trees

Careless children within it parade

And sit out selling lemonade

And old couples remember times like these

On their rockers beside the hydrangea trees

 The blue and purple fragile bunched blooms

Never appear a minute to soon

They make life simple, they make life sweet

Remember to admire the hydrangea trees

~Whitney Albright~

CAESAR BOATS

Make these SUPER-SIMPLE-kid-friendly Caesar Boats for ANY occasion!!

We went to a Baby's Blessing recently and these were served along with Little Caesar's Pizza, Crazy Bread, Brownies and Soda.

I thought it was a terrific way to serve salad as 'finger food'!!

The Dad who made these said, "It's the best way to get our kids to eat salad!!" And he was right, the children who were present were just as excited about these as they were the pizza.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Romaine lettuce hearts
Caesar salad dressing
Croutons
Shredded parmesan cheese



HERE'S HOW TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER:

Seperate and wash the romaine heart leaves. Carefully blot them dry with a towel. Arrange leaves on a platter and then gently drizzle the caesar dressing on each leaf. Put a few croutons on each leaf and then sprinkle the tops with parmesan cheese...SUPER EASY!!



OPTIONAL FANCY STUFF:
You can dress them up with a few extras such as:
sliced cherry tomatoes
sliced chicken
or use shaved parmesan instead of shredded

Also, I put similar leaf sizes on the same platter.

The smallest leaves are on the platter above.

The tiny heart-middle makes a great stand up garnish too.

ENJOY!!

A special thanks to Brett and Carol's family for this great idea!!

I'll be sharing this for Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

A DOMESTIC GODDESS

Starting next week, I get to join the ranks of all the Domestic Goddesses out there!!

I'm looking forward to...

...spending more time with my children

...snuggling more often with my husband

...troublemaking with my girlfriends

...getting caught up on home projects

...having time to accomplish other goals

and

BLOGGING!!

Thank you, Graphics Fairy, for sharing this beautiful image!!