Weekend Recap

We had a fantastic and busy weekend.  We went and picked almost 7 pounds of blueberries.  We have been snacking on them a lot so I wouldn't be surprised if we are already down to 5 pounds.  I think I am only going to make a small batch of jam this year we still have some left over from last year.  Many of them are going to get frozen for Andy's smoothies and the rest will be eaten fresh.  We have plans to go back and definitely pick more.

We tend to be homebodies but this weekend we were socializing fools.  We went to Andy's company picnic and attended a 10 year anniversary party. 

Using Blueberries

What do you do with 15 pounds of blueberries?  You make 2 pies, 1 pint and 9 half pints of jam, and eat plenty on cereal or by the handful.  In about a week we are almost out of blueberries.  We won't be able to go back for a couple more weekends so hopefully the berries will still be in season.

Washed and ready to go

These blueberries are way better than any you could buy at the grocery store.  They are large and plump!

Blueberry Picking

Today was opening day for our one of our favorite Summer activities, blueberry picking!  I have been going to Rousters since a kid and introduced Andy to them last year.  They normally open up by mid June but because of the cold wet weather we have had this year things are a little bit later than normal.  We had a wonderful time and walked away with around 15 pounds for jam, pies and eating fresh.  Later this month we plan to go back for blackberries and a few more fresh blueberries.

I guess because opening day was so late everyone wanted to be there today just like us.  Normally you can just pull up and park, when leaving you might have to wait in line behind a couple of people to pay.  But today we waited through 20 minutes of traffic just to get into the parking lot.  Then this was the line to pay for the berries.  The line weaved around the bushes, you can't see the whole line but you can see the rooftop of the berry house up in the left hand corner of the picture where you go to pay.

Canning Expedition

As promised I made some of the blueberries we picked on our anniversary into jam and then canned it.  This was my first experience canning and I really enjoyed it!  I used the Ball Blue Book canning guide for my recipe and canning instructions.   It was quite simple as long as you follow all of the directions.  I was advised that they their recipes use a bit too much sugar so I cut out 1/3rd and I think I could have cut 1/2, it all depends on your taste preference.  The trickiest part was having the canning pot with simmering water ready to go while keeping the jars hot in another pot and making the jam in another.  All of the items almost didn't fit on my stove top. 

I did read the book a bit before starting and so once I got to actually canning I had a firm grasp of what I needed to do.  I highly suggest going out and getting the book it has great step by step instructions and some have illustrated instructions.  I am definitely looking forward to canning other produce this year and for years to come!

Jam in the works

Cans getting ready for jam and measuring the head space before attaching the lids to get a proper vacuum seal.

Ready for processing.

Final Product!

1 Year Anniversary!

Last weekend was our 1 year anniversary and one of the ways we celebrated the day was by going to a local farm and picking blueberries and blackberries.  The blackberries are some of the best I have ever tasted, no tart or bitter berries here.  The blackberries went fast but the blueberries were plentiful, we ended up with about 8 lbs.  I have been debating back and forth but have finally decided to enter the world of canning.  So my first venture into canning is going to be with blueberry jam.