Thursday, November 18, 2010

Its Jam week!

A couple times a year, I make jam. A whole lotta jam! I typically don't have time to make jam when I pick our raspberries in August and September so I freeze my berries and make seedless jam later. November is a good time for this. In the spring, I do strawberry and mango.

This year, I helped pick a friend's raspberries because she had a broken leg. Her raspberries added to mine (from the old house), the ones my mom picks and brings to me and the ones I pick from my dad's house, makes for a long week of making jam!

I haven't purchased jam in... 6 years? Its easy to make and almost free if you can find enough berries in your yard or the woods (or bum them off relatives). In return for all the donated berries, I make jam for my parents and this year, my friends too! When all that is done, I suspect I will still have an abundance of jam, so I am trying some new combinations with raspberries. Raspberry and currant. Raspberry and lingonberry sauce (low bush cranberries). Maybe even a raspberry and cherry. Best of all, I make my jams with Pomona's, so you're not eating mostly sugar. There is only about an ounce of sugar per 8 oz jar (2 tbsp). Sounds good, right?

Well, I am feeling so generous that I am doing a "Jam Giveaway"!

Over the next week, post something on our blog and you will be entered to win a 4 pack of assorted Raspberry jams! Leave a comment on this posting about your favorite change so far on our house, leave a suggestion for us, tell us what you are most thankful for this year, anything! I'll announce the winner the day after Thanksgiving (and post it on Facebook) and your jams will be in the mail shortly thereafter. I don't make money from this blog, this is just a fun way for me to share some of "Ireland Manor" with my readers, and since I can't afford to send you all a jam, then it has to be a contest :)

Good luck! - Mrs. Ireland

11 comments:

  1. I'll play!! I love the colors you are using in your house! And the color of your blog always makes me smile when I check in :)

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  2. I don't know how you can remodel a house with 4 boys living in it! I can barely get a load of laundry done with the baby here. However, I am extremely thankful for little boys and am sure you have enjoyed yours as well. ~Gemini

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  3. Don't send me jam, even if I win the drawing. It costs too much to mail stuff like that to Ireland. However, I think I'm most admiring of your kitchen. It looks lovely. I'm impressed as heck with all the work you've done so far.

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  4. I would love to win jam! :)
    I wish I lived closer, I want to learn how to MAKE my own too! :)
    I love learning about your gardening and composting - but am super impressed with all of your remodeling! I hope you guys have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs - Christy

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  6. Wait. You're willing to MAIL this jam?? I am soooooooo sold. I have been eagerly following your blog and I love the work that has been done on your house!

    (I had to repost because one of my kids said "couch" as I was supposed to be typing "house" so it looked like I was complimenting the work you've done on your couch!)

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  7. I don't see my last post and that is probably good since my Mom had not signed out of face book and I am not sure if I posted as her or as me. I am such a dork! At any rate, have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving.

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  8. Jam, ooh!!! I made a few batches this year but not enough to last till next year. :( Been a little busy I guess? So I'd love the chance to win some!

    And i think I've said this before, but I love your covered porch. We were going to do that ourselves on our old house. Never got around to that, or the spiral staircase/ library shelves. :(

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