This Jam's for You......

I have three sisters. Together we are a modern day patchwork of sisterhood initially bonded by the choices of others, now bonded by the love we have for one another.

Sister number one is Dannelle. I call her Nellie.  I do not have a memory that does not include her. Since the day she was born I have never been without a best friend. Through all of life’s left hooks and jabs, she has been my bob and weave.  She was the determined face in mine saying, “pant blow, pant blow,” when I thought I couldn’t any longer. She is the voice in my head that tells me, “You are a strong black woman!” (an inside joke from a long forgotten movie).  I have always marveled at her strength. With all that said I would have to say that Nellie is also the sweetest person I know. Her kindness and empathy for mankind can only be rivaled by our mothers. Nellie is my Strawberry Pineapple Jam-Strong & Sweet

Sister number two is Mindy. Mindy and Nellie are only one week apart in birth, but we didn’t become sisters until Mindy’s dad married our mom in December of 1980. Mindy was our summertime sister, the third musketeer needed to make the perfect trio.  Mindy is funny to say the least. There is no one on earth that can make me pee my pants as fast as she can. Even now, as families, jobs, and logistics mean we only see each other every year or two, I can always count on at least one fabulous belly crunching laugh session when we are together.  Mindy is my Strawberry Margarita Jam- just a kick to have around.

Sister number three is Miss Alaina Grace, her name suites her, as far as I’m concerned. She is a young lady of seventeen who is the picture of grace, beauty, whit, and charm.  Alaina became my sister through adoption. My dad and his wife Deborah adopted her from China. Alaina is one month younger than my oldest son. It has been a joy to watch her grow up. She is truly an amazing young woman with a future so bright that everyone in the family has to wear shades. Alaina is my Strawberry Kiwi Jam-Bright & Charming.

Strong, sweet, funny and charming, those are my sisters and the inspiration for these jams.

 I love you sisters!

Never leave a fruit behind.

This past weekend, after a day of jam making I found myself with one mango, two plums, two small nectarines and two cups of strawberries. Not enough of any one type to make up a batch, but put them together and they equaled four and a half cups of a unique kind of deliciousness. Just enough for a small batch of jam,  so I added a tablespoon of crystallized ginger, proper amounts of sugar and lemon juice,  and I had myself a winner. Of course I would never call a jam a success without the taste approval of two or more trusted tasters. Now I knew there was no way I would have been able to fit Mango, Plum, Nectarine, Strawberry Jam on my little labels. So in the spirit of "everything but the kitchen sink" my new little jam got a name. And not a piece of fruit was left behind.

Variations of Jam