Shopping already?

I have a friend who has been finished Christmas shopping since SEPTEMBER! But I'm gathering a few things herer and there.

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The Idea

A friend posted a recipe online and I was intreagued. Immediatly I asked when we were going to do this together - then I couldn't wait and jumped in a few days later. Once I took inventory and gathered up the supplies on hand, and added the others to the list, I started out.

It is a relatively cost effective recipe, considering what you probably already have on hand. All spice, frozen strawberries and fresh cranberries were all I really needed to add.

With all my ingredients out and ready, I prepared my jars and lids. Then it was jam time. Since I'm not great at following directions or measuring things out, I made my own plan. I like to improvise. If you see a recipe and think, I'd like that sweeter or how can I cut the calories or make it a bit healthier, try it! Here's the results of my little experiment so you can try it too.

Canning

Canning isn't hard, but the first time I did it, I was terrified. To be perfectly honest, that hissing, steaming pressure canner can be quite scary. I get it! Luckily, this recipe is completely safe to use the water bath canning method.
Water bath processing is a processing method used in home canning for high acid or sweet foods. The jars are filled and sealed. The jars are boiled completely covered in water for a specific amount of time. High-acid or sugary foods are items such as jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, salsas, and tomato products. So, water bath canning is perfect for this Spice Christmas Jam.

The finished product is worth the effort!

Getting Everything REady

STEP 1: GATHER THE INDEGDIENTS

Cranberries – You can use frozen or fresh cranberries for this recipe. If you use frozen cranberries, there will be more moisture content, so you will need to cook for a little bit longer to evaporate that moisture, which will in turn, thicken the jam.
Strawberries – Just like the cranberries, you can use frozen or fresh strawberries here too.
Sugar – Don’t cut back on the sugar! The sugar amounts are set so that safe canning practices are met, helps to determine the thickness of the jam and whether or not the jelly will set properly. I used a sugar subsitute to help watch our calories. It works and measures the same.
Liquid Fruit Pectin – Pectin natually occurs in the cells of nearly all fruits and berries, however, the amount varies. Pectin is low in strawberries, so a liquid fruit pectin is needed to help the jam set or firm up.
Spices – You will need ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground allspice, and ground cloves.

STEP 2: PREPARING THE JARS
Eliminate any risk whatsoever by always sterilizing your jars and lids. Just wash the jars in hot, soapy water. Rinse the jars well under running water to get rid of any soap residue. Then boil the jars and lids (not the rings).

The Recipie

Equipment

10 quart canning jars
Waterbath Canning (Large Pot)
Jar Wrench/Lifter
Canning Funnel (optional)
Ladle (I used my measuring cup)
Non-metallic Bubble Remover (optional)
Magnetic Lid Lifter (optional)

Ingredients

3 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen strawberries (15 cups)
1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries (4 cups)
5 pounds sugar (5 cups) or substitute. I used a whole bag of swerve
4 pouches liquid fruit pectin
3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

I like my jam chunky so I boiled and mashed my fruit (see video above). You can also puree them in your food processor if you like a smoother consistency.
Measure the sugar and spices and add those to the large pot once your fruit is the consistency you'd like it.
Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a full boil. Continue to boil for one full minute.
Remove the pot from the heat and add in the liquid fruit pectin. Stir well to combine and place the saucepan back on the heat.
Once the jam returns to a full boil, remove from the heat.
Once the bubbling settles, use a spoon or ladle to skim off any foam and discard it.
Next, ladle the hot jam into the hot jars being sure to leave 1/4 inch of headspace.
Lower the jars (with lids and rings on) into the pot. Be sure the water level covers the jars by two inches. Bring the water to a boil, cover the canning pot, and boil for 10 minutes.
Remove from the water and allow jam to cool and set, undisturbed, for 12 hours. Wipe jars and label accordingly. Store jam in cool, dark cabinet for up to a year.

WAys to Use Spiced Christmas Jam

In addition to piling it on a biscut, here are a few other delicious ideas:

Stir jam into plain yogurt to cut the tanginess.
Add some to your French toast mix.
Make a sweet grilled cheese with sliced brie
Fill thumbprint cookies
Make a layer cake

Give as a Gift

Thinking about what it do with 10 amazing jars of Christmas jam? Share the joy with others!

I've even made some jar lables and gift tags for you. Download your FREE Printalbes below.

Download Lables and Tags

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Cheap DIY Candles

11/30/2017

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Around this time of year, I start looking for lots of homemade gifts and crafts. Teacher gifts, white elephant, favorite things parties start to fill our calendars and to-do lists. This year, I found this quick and easy DIY Dollar Tree Candle tutorial for UNDER $5! It was such a budget friendly way to make a super cute gift.

SUPPLIES
You can find everything you need to make them you can find at the Dollar Tree! You might even have some old candles at home that you can melt down to create new candles.

Dollar Store Candles, unsented
You can find them in white or in various colors

Scented oils

Small glass container or mason jar

Ribbon and deocrative items

Candle Wicks or reuse the ones in the candles from the Dollar Store candles

Stove Top with large pot or Oven with a cookie sheet (In the video, she melts the candles in the oven)

Glue Gun

Hot pad, preferably rubber to help with hold

DIRECTIONS
Place your tall candles in a large pot. Turn the stove to medium heat.

Candles will melt in about 10 minutes. You may need to use a plastic knife to loosen the edges and stir the wax to help the process along.

While the wax in melting, use a bit of hot glue to affix the wick to the bottom of the jar or container where you will be adding your hot wax.

Add your desired oils in your desired amounts to the melted candle wax.

Use your rubber hot pad to our a small amount of wax into the bottom of your container. This will help your wick stay in place. Once the wax dries add the rest of the wax.

NOTES
Add coconut oil, if you like, to the Dollar Store Candle wax to help your candle burn more smoothly.

Get creative and layer colors and alternate complementary fragrances.

Let me know if you tried it. I would love to know how it went for you.

gift Tags

Print to 8 1/2 x 11 paper, cardstock perferably.
Cut around the tag shape
Punch hole in the top for ribbon or raffia
Tie to candle

Enjoy!

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Gratitude Goes a Long Way

8/31/2016

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There is something special about recognition and appreciation that brings teams together, makes people engage deeper, and give more than they expected. I look forward each year to building teams, working with students, and helping them meet their goals. Appreciation plays a big part of that.

All summer I look for little things to give to the students in my college groups. So many little teacher gift ideas can be repurposed for things on campus. This is a twist on a teacher treat idea, with pink erasers, post-it notes, and pencils all tied together with this little note.

I think that our officer team will love it.

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Funny Gift Tags

Shopping already?

Spiced Christmas Jam

The Idea

Canning

Getting Everything REady

The Recipie

WAys to Use Spiced Christmas Jam

Give as a Gift

Cheap DIY Candles

gift Tags

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

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