You know those strawberries? Well here they are! Actually they are all in jars now but I took this earlier during the jam making process. This is them in a ''rolling boil'', which is when the jam mixture starts to thicken (if you're lucky!!)The children and I had great fun today, (yes they're still off school but back tomorrow) chores were suspended and it was the most beautiful summers day. We took a picnic up to the Downs (a lovely open space in the heart of Bristol) along with bubble mixture (Small Sprogs choice) and a cricket bat for French cricket (Mine and Tall Girls choice) We did lots of all of it and the sun just shone and shone and I realised how much we all needed to do this together, so much time (too much time) is spent doing routine, 'stuck in a rut' stuff. Small Sprog declared that blowing bubbles on a windy day was the best thing ever and he never wanted his day to end, I almost cried. He so loves life (but is stifled at school)
When we arrived home we made jam, coloured in and played air guitar, all at the same time! I absolutely love playing music very loudly but Husband's not so keen! Seeing as he was at work we had it very loud! We all played excellent air guitar to a few tracks of Cold Play and then the children scraped out all the cold jam from the pots. You can imagine Small Sprogs face. Both delighted and smeared bright red, a sticky gluey mass asking for a kiss just so that he could spread the love (mess!!)
Later on the nit children came home from school and they all went out to play together. Paul Weller returned to my CD player and I felt pleased with my day. Small Sprog is right though, there are some moments in life, which could just last forever.
That has to be your No 1 post! What a fantastically happy day on the downs and then safe, joyous larks at home after!
ReplyDeleteFabulous. Bet you get a gazillion comments.
As ever Small Sprog is an innocent and happy tonic! It is a very simple and happy business being a chap sometimes.
I am very impressed indeed that you made jam. What fun. Is it easy? How clever.
Bedtime here in BS5. See you tomorrow, I hope!
Goodnight to you on your happy day.
How did you get here so quick?!!
ReplyDeleteNo, jam is not difficult at all! You just heat up the fruit, pour in the sugar and boil (not too long else it won't set!) Da daaa :)
OH that looks wonderful. Mouthwateringly delicious! (Firefox is telling me that "mouthwateringly" is not a word... tough!). I wish I ha some. All I have is a jar of Smucker's in the fridge. Woe Iz Me! :D
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My Mobile Adventures *~*~*
MMMMM Home-made Jam...yummy. I agree that doing something spontaneous breaks the rut. Loud music's fun too.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is that my family used to own a jam factory. Really.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I so love to play our music loud when Dad is at work~It just sounds better! I am so glad you all had such a terrific day and made Jam, too! Sorry tomorrow it is back to the school thing! Not much longer until the break!
ReplyDeleteThese are the kinds of days your children will remember forever. And they do appreciate their Mom:)
ReplyDeleteYour jam looks delicious! I picked fresh strawberries two weeks ago and made freezer jam with lots of them--similar to yours, except you don't cook the strawberries. Today I made a fresh cherry pie with some cherries I picked at a neighbor's on Saturday. I think I'm turning into my mother:)
ok, Paul Weller was in The Jam! that's funny!
ReplyDeletesounds like you had a great day. summer needs to be full of those.
Minijonb, no one else spotted that!! Thanks for visiting :)
ReplyDeleteSounds as though you had a fantastic time! Jamming clever & funny!
ReplyDeleteseems like a day you will treasure forever
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm extra-special jealous :-( Home-made strawberry jam? Why, oh why, am I in Moscow, when I could be in England, eating freshly picked strawbs and home-made jam? *weeps just a little*
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious - send some over!
Love homemade strawberry jam! I You've brought back memories of my mum's jam on her homemade bread - fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, blowing bubbles on a windy day is the best ever - see my post "Awesome Wonder"!
Aren't those just the best days? We did one recently - went to fly kites. Good for you. x
ReplyDeleteStrawberry jam? When could I expect mine? Could you put a red ribbon on the jar, too... please?
ReplyDelete;o)
Small Sprog sounds like my kind of kid. Blowing bubbles is absolutely a wonderful thing to do.
You don't know it yet, but I am the president of the Bubble Bandit Brigade. I may need to recruit you three for future missions.
Days that last forever... sailing, wandering through gardens, pool days, holidays... I could go on and on.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Is it suburbia behaviour to make jam? I think it's more rural vilager. You are - bother Husband phoned and now I can't remember what I was going to say you are.
ReplyDeleteI had a great-aunt who lived in Bristol and she used to tell us about 'Lily over the Downs'. It always sounded as if she were a bit loopy!
Ah yummy jam, its a long time since i have made jam, probably something to do with working so many hours now. Sounds like a fun day 'up the Downs'.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! Glad you had such a good day!
ReplyDeleteHi MOTL thanks.
ReplyDeleteStarnitesky, sorry you have to work such long hours :(
Hi Liz, we're all a bit loopy here, you have to be else you'd go mad!! My jam making is rural villager becauase that is where my heart is and where I would rather be.
Scarlett, the Bubble Bandit Brigade sounds fun, when can we join up? I have a red ribboned pot ready for you!
Kitty, kites are such fun, that must be our next day on the Downs.
Working Mum , I'm just off to read your post.
Peter I hate to see a grown man cry, here, take some quick!!
Hammer, great to see you again.
Brett, yes it was and Maggie, glad you 'got it'!
Hi Rose, I suspect I too am changing into my mother too! I am too young to make jam (!!) but I love the satisfaction of seeing all the filled jars and eating it too! I have never done the freezer version, how does it work? And cherry pie sounds lovely. Do you make it with fresh cherries? They are so expencive here.
Hi Susan, three and a half weeks and counting!!
GWTM, so you were brought up on jam??!
When I was growing up in Kent my dad and I used to eat so much strawberry jam that we both suffered from boils early Autumn every year. Not that it stopped us fruit picking and jam eating! Great post blogthatmamax
ReplyDeleteOMG does it give you boils??!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, boils! Excessive sugar from the jam and fruit, still got the scars...
ReplyDeleteEeewwww!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day - and the best thing of all is that it's all recorded in your blog, so that you won't ever forget it!
ReplyDelete