Nectarine Raspberry Freezer Jam

It's been more than a few years since I did any kind of canning or preserving.  But oh how I love this time of year when everything is being harvested and tastes so yummy. 

 

I had seen this recipe a few months ago and filed it away for just this occasion.  This occasion turned out to be a timely stop at a local farmer's market.  Not only did I find some perfect nectarines and raspberries straight from the fields, I also ran in to a very old student of mine from many years ago who selected and sold these luscious bits of fruit to me.  (Makes me feel older than the "29" years that I am - and I continue to hold at "29" for the foreseeable future!)

 

The boys and I got out the food processor and the sieve and whipped up a double batch of Nectarine Raspberry Freezer Jam.  Here is my final product from breakfast this morning.

And since I'm no food blogger or food photographer, I'll use the picture from the site that inspired all this yummy goodness - Simple Bites.  Click on over for the full recipe - super quick, super easy, and really no fail.  I even added slightly less sugar than the recipe called for (and then read the Pectin instructions that said "Don't skimp on the sugar or your jam might not set up correctly" - - - but I live dangerously and it came out perfectly!) 

Source: Simple Bites

 

We've got a few pints in our freezer for the future, and shared a few pints with some friends. 

Hum - I'm dreaming of toast and this jam right this minute.

Baby Girl Headbands

I'm not really a girly girl and I'm actually quite glad that I only have boys because I wouldn't have known what to do if I had had a girly girl.  Bows and ribbons and flowers and sparkly things usually aren't my thing.  And quite frankly, I have never been a big fan of the flowery, feathery headbands that moms put on their baby girls.

But I finally broke down and decided to whip a few up to add to some baby gifts that were headed out from my house.  I think I could have placed a small, fairly conservative headband on a baby girl if I had gotten the opportunity.  And these couldn't have been simpler to make!!!

Let's take a closer look at these - you can buy fold over elastic in all kinds of colors and patterns.  It's so soft!

I wanted the headbands to be interchangeable so that you weren't just limited to one flower per headband.  Really easy to do!  I found this You Tube video and wanted to have it for the future if I ever decide to make these again.  

More Baby Blankets

Tis the season for babies it seems, and lots of girl babies at that.  I've been keeping busy making blankets - I think every new baby deserves their very own blankets to cuddle up in. 

This one is for the lone baby boy of the summer (at least that we know).  Son #1's best friend from school is having a baby brother over the summer and he wanted to give the family a gift.  I came across this super soft cuddle fabric and used it for a blanket. 

 At the same fabric store, I found this beautiful lime green and gray cuddle fabric.  I wanted something non-traditional for husband's niece's new baby girl and got this blanket finished this morning - - just in time for the party.

This blanket is for another of husband's nephews.  He and his wife are having #6.  This is soft flannel with a crocheted edging around it.

And one of my cousins is having twin girls this summer so I whipped up these two ric-rack baby blankets in coordinating fabrics.  I can always, always, always count on the ric-rack blankets to turn out cute!

Window Quilt

I saw this fantastic idea a few months back over at That's My Letter's Blog.  I knew I had to try it out and finally got it finished this week. 

I found this great six paned window from North Carolina.  It is over 100 years old and it has some amazing old square headed nails.  My husband carefully stripped the old flaky paint off and sanded it down.  He painted it a light coat of flat white paint and then I distressed the paint with some sandpaper.  (Yes, I had the easy job.) 

Six mini quilts later and here you have my version of a Window Quilt.  I gave it away for a family reunion auction this weekend.  I was tempted to bid on it so I could have it but I let it go, knowing that I could make another just for myself. 

Earrings and More Earrings

Hi, My name is "T" and I'm addicted . . . . to jewelry!  I just can't stop!  Making the jewelry is probably even more fun that having the finished pieces. 
Anyway - here are a few of my latest creations:

Bezel set, faceted gems from my local Gem Fair that I simply had to pop onto some earring findings. 

 I love these Turquoise earrings but they're large and I haven't worn them yet. 

And of course, pearls . . . pearls, pearls, everywhere.  Pearls are probably among my most favorite. 

Now I'm off to finish some bigger projects, hopefully - fingers crossed!

Frame Coin Purses

Ah - among all my craft addictions, making bags (both small and large) are one of my favorite.  I've seen these cute little frame coin purses around the internet and thought I'd give them a whirl.  And anyone who knows me, knows that I can't make just one of something.  I bought a kit and some frames from a great Etsy site and then went to town.

 Most of these will be going to teachers for last day of school thank you gifts - along with some very cute necklaces we made - the boys picked out various rocks and gems from the last gem faire that came to town.  This little purse is probably my most favorite - it goes to son #1's teacher.

This little purse is the "kit" that I bought with fabric and instructions and all.  They really do work up very quickly.

These next two go to son #2 teachers. 

And this one is for me.  I love the retro ball frames on these.  They come in all sizes - I went with the smallest just to start.  It's always nice to have a little something you can grab to put your id, some change, and even a credit card in. 

Yummy Oreo Fluff

I came across the yummiest recipe a few weeks ago. So easy and so amazing!  We've made it twice in the last two weeks.

This recipe comes from Chef in Training and is lovingly known as OREO FLUFF. 

I followed her recipe exactly.  Think white chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, mini marshmallows, and crushed Oreos.  Seriously YUMMY!

We'll be making this again and again really soon!  Try it!  I dare you!