Homemade Jam or Jelly

While cleaning out my stockpile a few weeks ago, I discovered a few jars of Pear Butter and Carmel Apple Jelly I made last year. I decided to post them for sale on a local yard sale and swap meet site. Within minutes, all the jars were sold and I had many requests for more. I spent the next few days trying to keep up with orders. Homemade jam and jelly is easy to make and very satisfying. I love the look of homemade jelly in jars. It is so pretty! When fruit is out of season, I happily used canned fruits and sauces. They work just fine and make flavorful jelly. I hope when you find out how easy it is make homemade jam and jelly you will give it a try.


Homemade Jam or Jelly

8-9 Canning Jars with rings and lids
4c. Fruit, pureed
1 package fruit pectin
2 T. Lemon Juice
cinnamon or other spices to taste
6c. sugar


Preparing the jars:
Put jars, lids and rings in a large stock pot. Fill with water. Bring water to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. Carefully remove jars, lids and rings from the pot carefully. Keep water boiling

Preparing the Jam:
Mix 4 cups pureed fruit, 1 package pectin, 2 T. Lemon Juice and spices in a medium pot. Allow to sit for 10 minutes with no heat. (This is key in getting the jelly to "jell".)
After 10 minutes, heat to boiling, stirring continually. Add 6 cups sugar all at once. Continue stirring and return to a boil. When jelly comes to a rolling boil, boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. With a metal spoon, skim the foam off the top of the jelly. Ladle hot jelly into hot jars. Wipe the rims of the jars clean. Attach lids and rings tightly. Return jars into the boiling water. Water should cover the jars completely up to an inch over the top of the jars. Boil the jars for 10 minutes. Carefully remove jars from the water. As the jars cool, you will hear the lids make a "pop" sound. This is a sign the jars have sealed properly. Store jars for up to a year. Enjoy!

Armed with Love: Trust

I Corinthians 13:7, "Love always trusts."

I am a mom of three beautiful teenagers. I am often asked if they are triplets. I like to refer to them as "triblings." Two are 15 year old fraternal twins, a boy and a girl. They have a 16 year old brother. All three are 11 months apart. (Yes, that is three children in one year!)My husband and I adopted them eleven years ago. They have kept our hands busy and our hearts full. The topic of trust often comes up with teenagers. Because we are doing our best to bring our children up in a way that is pleasing to God we do not allow our children to participate in some activities other parents would. That means we often say "no" to parties. We have strong limits on dating. We don't allow them to see movies that are inappropriate. Computer time is limited and restricted. We often hear the question, "Why don't you trust me?" None of them understand that trust has very little to do with the choices we make in their regard. Love has everything to do with it.

I Corinthians 13:7 says, "Love always trusts." This sounds scary to me. If I love someone, do I always trust them? What if they have failed me in the past? Do I keep on trusting them? Answering these questions means learning what this verse really means.

I Corinthians 13:7 is translated in the King James Version, "[Love] believeth all things." The word "believeth" is the Greek word "pisteuō." In this verse, it is used in an ethical sense. "Pisteuō" means that I can place my confidence in the goodness of another. If I trust you, it means I believe in you. I love you and I know you are going to make good decisions. I can stand with you knowing you have done your best. I've got your back and I know you've got mine. That kind of trust takes a lot of love. It doesn't happen over night, but it can grow. If trust is broken, it can be rebuilt. It takes commitment, forgiveness and time.

Next time my teenagers ask, "Why don't you trust me?" I know the answer I will give. I'll say, "My lovely, I've got your back. Sometimes that means you won't get to do what your friends are doing. I know you won't like it. The difference between me and you friends is I love you. I love you the way God does. I know God has great plans for your life. I am not going to give the enemy and opportunity to disrupt those plans. Someday you will have to make your own decisions. I have full confidence that you will make the right one. I believe in you."

I love you, kiddos!