Raspberry "Jam Session" with RECIPE

Saturday morning The Reluctant Farmer declared that we should go berry picking at a local farm that is known for growing the best berries in our area, and since we missed strawberry season, and were dangerously close to being out of jam, I eagerly agreed.  When we arrived at the farm we were told they had black raspberries in season, and out into the field we went. 

The field was very wet and muddy due to the massive amount of rain that we’ve received lately, but with the rain has come cooler temperatures, which is a Godsend for berry picking!  We both took our time and worked up and down the rows of brambles, loading up our baskets and brought home 4 quarts of berries.  I was amazed how beautiful these berries were, and I kept remarking about how perfect they looked, and they smelled even better than they looked! 

As we were leaving the farm my mom called and told us that her neighbor had a huge crop of red raspberries that were going to waste, and wanted to know if we would be interested in any of those.  Not one to turn down produce of any kind, let alone organic berries, off we went.  We were able to harvest an additional 4 quarts of red raspberries off of those bushes.

With 8 quarts of berries, there was little else we could do except have a jam session on Saturday night.  This year’s recipe is both simple, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face when served over vanilla ice cream.  The following recipe is a simple jam recipe that even the most novice canner can master.

Simple Raspberry Jam

5 ¼ c. of raspberries

7 c. of sugar

1 package of powdered fruit pectin (1.75 oz)

Mash berries in a stainless steel pot.  Stir in pectin and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add sugar, and continue to stir, until mixture reaches a hard boil.  Then stir constantly for 1 minute, afterwards turning off heat and filling jars.  Leave ¼ inch head space.  Process jars in water bath canner for 10 minutes.  Makes 8 half-pints of jam.

When I posted on my Facebook page that we were going to make jam this weekend, I had several people that wanted to learn to make jam, but were afraid to try.  I promise you this is the easiest way to prepare food, and once you get the hang of it you will be amazed by just how much food you are able to preserve with such little effort.  If you are interested in canning, go to the library get yourself a book on canning and start reading.  (I recommend Ball’s Blue Book Guide to Preserving.)  Grab a friend too and you can have your own jam session.  You won’t be able to buy the memories that you create together in a store, and if you need any help or have any questions I’m just one “click” away!


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My little pony....

Saturday we went over to Millennium Quarter Horses so Katzya could take her riding lesson.  When we got there, Tammy (the owner) showed me a little pony she had for sale.  I tell you it was the cutest damn thing I had ever seen!  I was talking to the pony while he was in his stall, and asked Tammy if I could get him out and take him for a walk.  I am not big on riding horses because I am just old enough to be a little afraid of them, and they sense it.  I do love to brush them, feed them, and clean stalls though.  I just find it comforting to be around horses, I don't have to ride them to enjoy them.  With that being said, I do sort of like to ride.

Well, as I was talking to the pony, Tammy says: "You should ride him!  He is real fun!"  I sort of looked at Tammy like she had two heads, and had to explain to her that I weight 220 pounds!  (Normally, I would never admit this, however I felt I had to come clean this time because this little pony's life depended on it!)  In my head, all I could picture was me on this little pony's back, and him laying splay legged on the ground, collapsed from my body weight.  Certainly, she could not be serious about me riding this pony?!  

Oh, Tammy was serious all right!  She got the little pony out, saddled him up for me and I wasn't afraid to ride him one bit!  He was so short (and I trust Tammy would never put me on a horse that would kill me...), that my fears were no more.  I figured if this little pony threw me off then I wouldn't have very far to fall!  I was surprised by how fast he was, and it was a blast.  

  

Below is me and Cheez-It the pony posing for our victory photo.  Neither me or the pony died during the ride, and I am impressed by how strong and sturdy these little guys are.  This little pony acted like it was not big deal to tote me around the arena.  He made it look effortless, and he was fast!  

I tell you if I could own another horse right now, there is no doubt in my mind I would finally buy myself the pony I had always dreamt about having as a child.  I think Cheez-It and I look pretty good together!

Remember if you haven't done so, sign up for our giveway!  See http://ontheurbanfarm.blogspot.com/2013/02/sponsor-welcome-skin-soap-co.html for more information...



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Sponsor: Welcome Skin Soap Co.

Fine, homemade products are important to us, and because of that On the Urban Farm would like to introduce you to our newest sponsor: Skin Soap Co.  We believe in supporting local businesses, and standing behind quality products, especially ones that are made with natural ingredients.  We found all of this in the Skin Soap Co.  From cold-press soaps to lip balm and laundry soap, these products are amazing!  

In November I contacted Skin Soap Co. because my daughter was celebrating her 13th birthday and the theme was cupcakes.  I asked Leah Hampshire (owner) if she could make soap in the shape of a cupcake that we could hand out as party favors.  The result was absolutely brilliant!  Leah made cupcake soap that was the hit of my daughter's party.  Every last detail down to the glitter frosting was perfect.  I  am so happy to have her as a sponsor of this blog!  Please support  this local business owner and her products by spreading the word about her and her business.  

Can you tell us about the products you produce?

I make cold process soap using traditional methods.  My soaps are vegetarian or vegan, made with olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, distilled water, either organic milk or Snowville Creamery grass-fed Ohio dairy milk, sodium hydroxide (lye), castor oil, sweet almond oil, and pigments, oxides, herbs, or spices.  I use either pure essential oils for scenting, or phosphate-free and nitro musk-free fragrance oils.  My bars are 95-100% natural, and I use some organic ingredients as well.  In addition, close to 100% of the raw, wholesale supplies that I buy come from Ohio companies, with a few neighboring state products included.

What is your favorite product and why?

My favorite product is definitely cold press soap.  It's simple, beautiful, and something that everyone regardless of age or gender can use.  Plus, it's nice to remember that real soap still exists - not these chemical detergent "body washes" that are in the store and made overseas.  Real soap made with vegetable oils the way your grandmother would have known soap.

You mention that nearly all of your raw, wholesale supplies come from Ohio companies.  That is impressive!  Can you explain why buying local is important to you?  

I believe in buying local for so many reasons: the environmental impact, the support of your local community, and the support of artisans who use money for piano lessons for their kids, and not for massive business operations.  I love how unique local products are and how diverse.  They are made with a level of love and pride that you can't buy at a box store, no matter how many millions of dollars were spent on the marketing to try to convince you how unique and artisan the product is.

How long have you been making soap?

I made my first batch of olive oil soap two years ago.  A coworker who had made 3 batches of soap before, taught me how to do it one night and I spent the next 6 months researching soapmaking more before I got the nerve up to try it again.

What lead you to start your own buisness?

I wasn't really planning on starting a business.  I started making soap because it was fun and relaxing to me.  I am not very artistic, but I appreciate artisan products and I found that soapmaking allowed me to be an artisan.  Once my family members saw my soap, they loved it.  They wanted more than the bars I was giving as gifts so I started making more.  Soon I was applying for my LLC to make it official.

Are your products sold in any stores locally?  

Yes.  I have soaps, bath products, lip balms, and soy candles at Somewhere in Time in downtown Piqua, Ohio, and soaps at Posh Hair Salon, Stone's Throw Market, and Samorzjme in Troy, Ohio.

Are there any other ways for people order your products?  

Yes, I have an etsy store as well. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SkinSoapCo

Do you take custom orders?

Yes I do!  I also do wedding favors, baby shower, bridal shower gifts, and birthday party gifts.  People can email me at SkinSoapCo@gmail.com for more information.

Leah has graciously donated cold process soap to On the Urban Farm blog to be used in a giveaway, and one lucky person will win a bar of her cold process soap to try to for themselves.   Here is how the contest will work:

1) You will need to go to Skin Soap Co. and "like" their Facebook page.

 http://www.facebook.com/SkinSoapCo?fref=ts

2) Then come back here to my blog or On the Urban Farm Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/OnTheUrbanFarm , and comment saying that you have done so. By commenting your name will be entered into a random drawing and the winner will receive a bar of cold process soap.  The winner will be drawn next Sunday.  Good luck!