Homemade Strawberry Jam Tutorial

It's really easy, and fun, in my opinion, to make your own jam.  It's also healthier and better for the budget!  I'm a fan of anything that can be considered more natural and/or budget friendly!  And I really LOVE it when those to things go hand in hand - which they usually do!

 I love to can and freeze.  I love it because you can skip whole sections of your grocery store - not because you don't have the money, but because you already have it at home - AND you know that yours is homemade, taste better and is very nutritious!

Picking and washing...

Pick berries that are nice and red. Plump, no mushy or discolored spots.  Organic is a nice plus!  :)  

Rinse berries in cold water.  I like to let mine sit in a bowl of water for a few moments while I gather the things I need.  {Raw sugar or honey, jars, pectin, a knife, ladle, rings and lids, large pot, water bath caner, spoon, small pot with water {to boil lids and rings} and a sink full of soapy water to clean as you go....and you may need a few kids to do odd jobs as you go...I've a few I can rent out if you need one!}

Next cut the leaves of the tops of the strawberries and any mushy spots off too.  Strawberries go in the big pot and strawberry tops go in the compost bin.  

Now it's time to mash.....

  Kids love to smash things!  Grab a kid, hand him a spoon and make a useful critter out of him.  He'll have great fun...but better watch!  They seem to think it's a free for all.  You may end up with much less jam than you had planned if you turn your back for too long!  ;)

You can leave the berries as big or as small as you wish.  It's your jam.  If mashing with a spoon or a potato masher isn't working for you, you can use a food processor.  

Let's get this party started...

Put your mashed up strawberries on the stove and add 1/4 - 1/2 of a cup of raw sugar or honey per pint of strawberries and follow the directions on your package of "Low Sugar Pectin".   

Bring your strawberries to a rapid boil, stirring occasionally.  Add your  pectin, sugar or honey, and butter if you like.  {Some people use butter to help cut back on the "frothy stuff".  I don't worry about it.  You can skim it off later or just do what I do and don't worry about it.  It's nothing more than jam with air bubbles in it.}

You can prepare your jars while your fruit is coming to a boil if you haven't already.

Bring to a rapid boil that can't be stirred down.  Boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly.  

Remove from heat and skim foam {or frothy stuff} if necessary.  Like I said, I don't worry about it.  You can skim it off and use it for breakfast the next morning or serve it right away on toast for a nice snack.

Let set for about 5 minutes.  Jam should start to thicken or set. You will know when it's thick enough by the "spoon test".  If the jam is thick enough to stay on the spoon, you know that it's ready to be ladled into the hot, sterilized jars. 

Do be sure your jars are CLEAN!

Ladle hot jam into your jars....

Ladle hot jam into your clean, prepared jars.  Be sure your rims are clean and chip free.  Add your sterilized lids and rings.  Tighten them carefully and put in your water bath caner.  

I have a water bath caner, but it's MASSIVE and I'm only making 4 pints tonight, so I opted to use my pressure caner and just leave the lid off...works the same!

I think I can...

There you have it...my 4 pint jars in my super old pressure caner.  {It was my great-grandmother's, but that just makes me love it even more!}  Be sure the jars are covered by at least 2 inches of water.  Bring water to a boil.  Let boil at least 10 minutes.  15 for quart jars.  

Remove from caner and allow to cool.  You should hear the, pop-pop-poping of the lids as they seal themselves!  Music to my ears! 

Some people don't take the time to process their jam in the water bath, they simply add the hot liquid to the hot jars, and let them seal themselves.  I've done this before, and it does work, but I don't recommend it.  

After spending all the time and effort to prepare and preserve, I say take the extra step.  It's so much better to know that your jars are sealed and your food is safely preserved.  You can do all the kitchen clean up while the jars are processing and when it's all said and done you can rest knowing that the jars are sealed and your food will last for a very long time!

And finally..... 

You need taste- testers!  I always save a bit of the left-overs along with the foam for late nigh snacks and breakfast for the next morning.  Taste good on ice cream too! 

As far as the foam goes ~  I always skim if I'm making it for someone else just because it looks better without it.  I really don't care how it looks if it's just for us.  It tastes the same and it's all used and gone after the first 2 slices of toast or PB&J sandwiches anyway.

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Weekend Whatever Link up #22 

Every Child Should Know

There are so many fun and exciting things we can teach our children!  Things that go above and beyond their school work.  Things that we learned as children.  Things we wish we'd learned as children.  Things they are interested in. Even things that are just for fun. 

Every child is different and has different interests and abilities.   At our house we provide as many opportunities to learn as we can.  Not all of our children are interested in the same things.  Not all of them are good at the same things.

Here's a list of things I'd like to teach our children {or at least have available to them if they're interested}:

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1. To do their best and not quit
2. To be obedient and respectful
3. Do right with a happy heart and a right spirit
4. Sew/make their own quilts for their beds
5. Learn to manage a business {Sugar & Spice}
6. Typing/Computer Skills
7. Photography/Cinema
8. Sign Language/Other Foreign Language
9. Cooking/Baking
10. Piano/Music
11. Singing/Voice
12. Self Defense
13. Mechanics
14. Carpentry/building/wood working
15. Drawing/art/painting
16. Guns & Gun Safety
17. Swimming
18. Money management/book keeping & bank records {including tithing and giving to missions}
19. Frugality/creative ways to make/save money
20. Soul Winning
21. Bee Keeping/Raising Honey
22. Raising Chickens/Eggs
23. Gardening/Canning/Freezing
24. Cleaning/Laundry
25. Hunting/Fishing
26. Ice Skating/Roller Blades
27. Soap/body Scrub/lip balm making
28. Stilts ~ Ok, this one's totally not necessary, but it's so fun to watch them try!!!! 
29. Bikes
30. Horse Back riding

The items on this list that are bold are things that we've started on or at least dabble in.  Others will have to wait until there is time, money, interest or ability. These are just the ideas we have come up with.  There are so many out there!! 

What do your children enjoy learning about?

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Summer Fun on a Budget

I love summer time!  I like the structure that the school year brings, but I also love a few weeks of "whatever goes"!  If you're like me, you're ready for more structure by the end of summer, but for now, let's brain storm!!

Here are a few of my ideas to have fun with your kids on a budget:

• Grow a vegetable garden.  It's fun to work together and get dirty!  {Did I mention this involves FREE FOOD??}
• Grow a flower garden.  Lilacs, roses, lavender, sunflowers, wild flowers, and don't forget the tulips!  So many colors and varieties.  Some smell good.  Some are good for food.  Others can be used medicinally.  Plus, you could use them as a ministry tool to give away to sick or elderly shut-ins!  
• Get {or grow} Watermelon and have seed spitting contests.
• Make homemade ice cream.

  

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• Water Balloons cost $1 at the Dollar Tree or Deals.  Your kids can have a whole afternoon of fun for $1!
• My kids love to play in the sprinkler, so I let them play in it while I'm watering the garden.  This way I don't feel like I'm wasting too much water.
• Wash the van/car/truck - whatever you have.  It's fun to play in the cold water on a hot day and you get a clean vehicle out of it.  {Perhaps you could even wash your neighbor's car for a little spending money?}
• Visit a pet store just to look around.  If your children want a pet, take them home and help them come up with a game plan to earn the money to buy it themselves.  Make sure they understand that it will be their responsibility to care for and feed it after they bring it home too.  It's good for them to learn a little responsibility and even better when it's fun! 
• Visit a local farmer to pick fruits and veggies.  Teach your children how to make jams and apple sauce.  It's something they may need to know one day, and you're being productive at the same time.
• Grill out or build a fire in the fire pit.  Better still, build yourself a fire pit and let them help you.  
• Get bird feeders for different types of birds and a book about birds in your local area and become bird watchers.  Don't forget the humming birds!  {This may cost some up front, but you'll have the feeders and book for years to come, so in the long run it's not that bad.}

  

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• Have each kid chose something that he/she is interested in.  Then, try to help them each come up with a way to learn more about that topic.  It could be learning to play an instrument, type, swim, ride a bike, body building/weight training, recognize constellations, knit, or decorate cakes...let them chose something that they're interested in, set a goal to reach before the new school year starts and see who reaches their goals.  Some may cost money, but there again, you can let the child work to earn the money if you don't have it.  Imagine how proud of himself he'd be at the end of the summer!  Some of these things may be things friends or family can help you with, such as borrowing a telescope or using swimming pools or gym equipment.
• Teach your girls to make a quilt out of scraps of fabric you have stored away.  Maybe the younger girls could make smaller quilts for their babies.  What a great birthday/Christmas gift that would be!!
• Start now making Christmas gifts, cards and ornaments.  You'll have lots of fun and you'll be less stressed when Christmas comes and you have extra time and less expense.
• Dance in the rain...but not if there's lightening!!  :)
  

  

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• Don't forget the simple things like going on walks, picnics and to the park!  

It's the little things in life that count.  Don't be afraid to think outside the box.  I think you can have more fun with less money because everyone is just happy to be making memories together. 

What are some of your favorite ways to have fun during summer vacation??

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Far Above Rubies

Welcome!!

Hello!  And welcome to Hidden Treasures!

My name is Angela.  
I started this blog in 2011 with the desire to encourage and inspire ladies everywhere become "TREASURES" {Proverbs 3:10 ~ Her price is far above rubies...sounds like treasure to me!} that are "HIDDEN" {Colossians 3:3 ~ For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.} with Christ in God.  Not because I am a Hidden Treasure, but because that is my goal.   

Miscarriage.  Financial difficulties.   Illness.   Child training.  Being alone.  These are just a few of the things that wives and moms will have to deal with. 

One thing I've learned through it all is that God is Love and He can bless and reward us better than anyone else.   Not only has He provided us with the way to Heaven, but He has promised to walk with us throughout the entire journey.  

It is my hope to encourage and inspire you {and myself} to be the best we can be in every area whether it's saving money, making memories with our children, loving our husbands, decorating our homes, or living as naturally as possible, the way God intended.  And don't forget how important it is to laugh a bit each day!!  

Join the fun!!
We'd love to invite you to join us on Facebook and Twitter.  And, we'd be honored if you'd share our page with your friends!  Everyone needs a place to escape the stress and relax a little.  I hope this will be a place for you to find encouragement and blessings as you strive to live each day to God's glory.   Do share this site with your friends! The more, the merrier!  Together and through the grace of God we CAN become "Treasures" that are "Hidden" with Christ in God. 

Comments:

I LOVE to receive comments.  I like to know what you think of my posts and my stories and I LOVE to hear yours too!  The best place to share your thought and comments is on my Facebook page.  The comment section of my blog is also a good place.  

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Is Your Cookware Safe??

Most moms in America use Teflon coated pots and pans because they're easy to clean and thus save all kinds of time and energy.  Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner, right?

The truth about Teflon:

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• According to Wikipedia, Dupont, the maker of Teflon cookware, claims that Teflon's "melting point" is 621*F, BUT, it's mechanical properties degrade above 500*F.  {According to tests, your skillet heats to around 736 degrees in 3 minutes and 20 seconds.}
• DuPont publicly acknowledges that Teflon can kill birds, but the company-produced public service brochure on bird safety discusses the hazards of ceiling fans, mirrors, toilets, and cats before mentioning the dangers of Teflon fumes.  {Click here for more information.}  At least getting eaten by a cat is a natural, food chain kind of way to go.  It's so much better than being suffocated by lethal, toxic chemicals!  :) 
• According to tests by the Environmental Working Group, hundreds of people each year become sick due to exposure to the chemicals that are emitted by the Teflon at high heat levels.  Most of the time, though, they confuse these side effects with the common flu. 
• Teflon offgases toxic particulates at 446°F. At 680°F Teflon pans release at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses. At temperatures that DuPont scientists claim are reached on stove top drip pans (1000°F), non-stick coatings break down to a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.  {Copied from this site because I'm not smart enough to say it myself.} :) 

So now....we have a decision to make:  What kind of cookware are we going to use in our homes?  What exactly is safe for our families?

My recommendations:

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1.  Cast Iron!!  My favorite!  It's easy to clean if you keep it well seasoned.  It's sturdy and tough.  It will last you your entire lifetime or longer.  {Most of mine belonged to my great grandmother and they're just as good as new!}  You can use them in the oven or on the stove. You don't need any special utensils.  Cast Iron was the cookware of choice until 1957 when Teflon was used to make the first "non-stick" pans...even though nothing sticks to cast iron??
2. Stainless Steal!  These are pretty.  {I like shinny!}  Steel wool scouring pad will clean even the burnt food off in a moment.  They are natural, so you don't have to worry about chemicals.  You can cook even the most acidic foods in them without worry of corrosion.  They may not last 3 life times like cast iron, but they should last many years and certainly longer than the Teflon covered pans that start to flake after a few weeks.
3. Glass and ceramic.  Both are natural and safe to cook with and easy to clean if you take a steel wool scouring pad to them.  

If you have all or mostly Teflon pans and you'd like to make the switch, don't stress out over it!  Just start weeding out the pans you don't want and gradually replacing them with safer ones that you love and trust.  It may cost a bit, but little by little it is possible.

And don't forget - the BEST place to find cast iron and other cookware is at yard sales!  So many people don't realize what they're getting rid of.  They think it's just Grandma's old junk.

TAKE IT!!

If you don't want it, you can send it to me!!

:D  

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The Homestead Barn Hop

Summer Time Plans

I've had several people ask me what I plan to do this summer "with all those kids".  I thought about selling a few of them and using the money to go on vacation, but just in case this idea doesn't work I came up with a "plan B".

Here are some of my ideas for "plan B":
{In no particular order.}

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• Gardening ~ I keep my kids with me.  We're a team.  We work together.  They love it and I do too.  Because of it, they can do just about anything I can do.  
• Canning/freezing/preserving as much fresh fruits and veggies as we can
• My older girls are going to learn how to make their own quilts for their beds.
• Music camp!!  {I can't teach them what I don't know, but if a great church in our local area can, I'm for it!!}
• Marshmallow Guns/Wars
• Each child will paint/decorate ceramic pots for me to plant my herbs in.  :)  
• Kid's Crusades at church
• Piano Lessons
• Reading!!  I just bought some books to start the summer off on.
• Humming Bird feeders and a book on local birds should help them learn about...umm, well, local birds.  :)
• We have a Sugar & Spice business to build!!
•  One of mine asked to learn to type, so I got her a program and I'm thinking this summer would be a great time for that.  
• We just got a new book on how to face paint...sounds like fun to me!  We might have to practice a few times this summer.  :) 
• And, I'm sure we'll come up with other fun things to do along the way like picnics, roller blading, bike riding, side walk chalk, slime, and finger painting...whatever else we can get ourselves into!!  

I'm excited!!  I love summer!!  What are your summer time plans?? 

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Hit the Refresh Button!

It has been said, "...a woman's work is never done".  Day after day, night after night...sometimes it seems as if there's no break, no help, no relief.  I know.  I've been there.  I had 4 babies and 2 miscarriages in 6 years with no family in the area and a husband that was very nearly never home!

By very nearly, I mean he worked from 7:30/8:00 AM to around 8:00 PM everyday.  Some days he worked till about mid night or 3:00 AM.  {Who says people in the ministry don't work!?!} 

My point is that I understand what it's like to need a break!  I love my children, but sometimes it's nice to talk to someone who has a firm grasp of the English language.  It's nice to hang out with someone who can use the potty without help and has all of his/her teeth.  :)

God Wants us to Rest!!
God gave us 7 days in a week.  Is there any wonder that He commanded an entire day of rest per each week?  And even if we don't understand why He did this, we should still take it as His will that we rest for a little bit every once in a while.

Why do we overlook the passage in  Mark 6:31, when Jesus said, "Come ye aside into a desert place and rest awhile"?   Jesus understood the need to get away and relax.  Refresh.

In the story of Mary and Martha, Martha was upset because she was doing all the work and Mary wasn't helping her.  Jesus told her that while what she was doing was important, what Mary was doing was NEEDFUL.  Work is important and needs to be done, but resting {both spiritually and physically} is more important and shouldn't be over looked.

The Scriptures tell us that He understands that we are dust.  We can't continue forever and be successful at everything we have to do without rest.

 Matthew 11:28  "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

B. Taylor said, "Sometimes the most spiritual thing a woman can do is get some sleep".   How can we hope to take care of our families and children without taking care of ourselves.  Resting our bodies and brains and soothing our spirits?  We must do what it takes to keep ourselves at our best for those that depend on us!

So, I learned quickly that I needed to "hit the refresh button" every night.

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Here are some ideas to help you refresh a bit every day:
**And don't feel guilty about sending the kids to bed.  It's good for them to have a mom that's refreshed too!  It's good for the entire family!

If you have a very young baby, you may need to just grab a few moments of sleep when you can.  Healthy children can and should sleep through the night by 12 weeks old which is a fantastic mile stone for both baby and mom! 

My first and favorite way to hit that refresh button is to send the kids to bed at 8:00 every night.  I let mine stay up a bit later in the summer time and as late as they want/can one night each week.  Beside that, they go to bed at 8:00.  No questions.  No arguing.  I trained my children that once they were in bed, they were to stay there.  They'd better have a VERY good reason to get up.  {Older kids can read a book or do something quietly in their room, but night time is time to relax and get ready for the next day.}  Mom can do SOOOO much during this time!

• Hot bath  {or even an uninterrupted shower}
• Home Manicure/Pedicure
• Listen to Music
• Read a book or your Bible
• Watch a show/Movie
• Eat chocolate   =) 
• Do a craft or sewing project
• Just sit and enjoy the evening
• A fire in the fire place during winter, or a night on the patio in the summer
• A phone call to a friend or family
• Exercise
• Go to bed early
• Enjoy the quiet

 A ladies' night out is always fun.  This may not work for you and didn't work for me until this past year as my husband was just too busy and I didn't have anyone to help with the kids.  Once a month you can go out with your friends and do something - anything - even a very small thing is fun.  Laugh, cry, have fun realizing that you're not the only one in your situation.

Date night!  Go out with your husband and do something fun.  Or, stay home and enjoy peace and quiet whether that means after the kids are in bed or asking a friend or your mother to watch them for an hour or 2.  Maybe you can ask a friend to babysit for you tonight so that you can babysit for her tomorrow and both of you get to go out AND have free babysitting!


Nap Time = Quiet Time!  The older ones are allowed to read a book, or do something quietly, but "everyone needs a quiet time" and therefore it's not an option.  Sometimes if day is going well, I might "forget" about nap time.  If the day isn't going so well for one reason or another, or if I've been busy and haven't had a chance to read my Bible, I will simply say, "it's quiet time!" and they all know what that means.  I love to walk past my children's rooms and see them reading their Bibles during "quiet time" too.  It's great way for a quick "refresh" in the middle of the day!  Besides, everyone needs a quiet time!

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