Amy and I have now used the first of her summer vouchers when we went strawberry picking early this morning. We gathered around 4lbs (plus around half a pound in our tummies!) which were brought home, wiped and swiftly turned into jam.
This year I invested in a jam thermometer which has definitely helped - last year's batch ended up very sticky and thick. This year we have a lovely oozy jam with a little added vanilla.
The lovely labels that we used for the jam are from Cath Kidston.
Oooo! I like that idea, adding a dash of vanilla to strawberry jam.
Posted by: trashalou | July 26, 2009 at 05:54 PM
mumm
home made strawberry jam lovely , all you need now is some cream and scones.
Posted by: Chris | July 26, 2009 at 06:49 PM
ooh, I love your scales!
Posted by: Fancy Elastic | July 26, 2009 at 07:00 PM
It really looks delicious ! Too bad the strawberries of my garden here in France were picked and eaten a long time ago, I would have been tempted to make some jam right now !
Posted by: Marie | July 26, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Mmm looks gorgeous!
Posted by: winifred waite | July 26, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Jam making is such fun and I love those labels! Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | July 26, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Ooooh I like the vanilla idea x
Posted by: lucy@theantidote | July 26, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Your jam looks delicious! I love jam making, we have just made some scones as we have such a supply of homemade jam we need to eat! The vanilla idea is a good one x
Posted by: janet | July 26, 2009 at 10:20 PM
delicious, I love your labels too!
Posted by: Leah | July 26, 2009 at 11:56 PM
mmm, lovely! i want to make some jam now... if only i could find time to pick some strawberries now!
Posted by: kendall*micayla | July 27, 2009 at 02:13 AM
Absolutely nothing like home made jam. Now all you need is a clot of cream and a warm scone.
Posted by: Tania McCartney | July 27, 2009 at 06:24 AM
Sounds and looks yummy.
There really is no comparison between homemade and shop bought jam, is there?
We added some geranium leaves to our strawberry jam this year. Hugh Fernley Wittingstalls idea. It works really well.
Posted by: Cele | July 27, 2009 at 06:52 AM
Your jam looks delicious! Isn't it satisfying making jam? I really enjoyed making quince jelly this year..although it was very sticky! xo
Posted by: beck | July 27, 2009 at 08:00 AM
MUMM
THAT JAM LOOKS SO GOOD.
Posted by: G K JONES | July 27, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Ooh it looks good! Delicious! And so pretty too!
Posted by: Mary | July 27, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Mmmmmm homemade jam, just lovely. I love the look of your little jars with those CK labels, too cute!
love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | July 27, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Seems to be jam making season!! Went berry picking at the weekend, but there were no ripe strawberries left. Got plenty of raspberries, gooseberries and redcurrants though! Enjoy your jam, it's just such a delighful thing to make!
Posted by: Louise | July 27, 2009 at 12:17 PM
How lovely Julie. I remember strawberry picking years ago and eating loads! Happy Days!
Marie x
Posted by: marie | July 27, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Strawberry and vanilla jam - mmmmm. I can just imagine that in the middle of a Victoria sponge, with some softly whipped cream. Yummy.
Posted by: dottycookie | July 27, 2009 at 06:32 PM
try rhubarb and strawberry...really delicious! Have a good summer. x
Posted by: jill | July 27, 2009 at 07:02 PM
simply lovely! i have those cath kidston stickers lurking around in my cupboard but have never put them to good use....
i may have to go make some jam now :)
looby xx
Posted by: Looby | July 27, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Isn't homemade jam just the best..the pots look like precious jewels on the shelf! Love the labels too...(can't wait for the blackberries to make jelly)! :)
Jenni x
Posted by: Jenni Kemp | July 28, 2009 at 07:56 AM
You're a brave woman, I've never made jam, too afraid that the pot will explode and I'll have jam on my ceiling . . . happened to a friend of mine. :)
Posted by: peggysue | July 29, 2009 at 01:16 AM
That would be delicious!! I cannot seem to buy enough berries this year. The kids are eating as fast as I bring them into the home.
Posted by: addi knitting | July 29, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Mmmm...my favourite! I'm ashamed to say we haven't been near our local PYO strawberry farm this year. There's something very satisfying about making lovely jam :)
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | July 29, 2009 at 09:51 PM
What a super day out with a lovely yummy ending :)
Posted by: caroline lennox | July 30, 2009 at 08:56 AM
What prettily-dressed little jars. Their contents looks rather fabulous too x
Posted by: Emma | July 30, 2009 at 09:30 PM
It looks as though you need... scones! Kudos on your Cath Kidston labels, too =)
Posted by: Emily | July 31, 2009 at 04:37 PM
yummmm that looks delicious and even better you got to pick them :) Your kids and knitted bunnies might like to see my recent photos of Beatrix Potter's home . Hugs, Catherine x
Posted by: Bumpkin Bears | July 31, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Those jars of jam look amazing!! Havent been strawberry picking this year sadly, but my neighbour did, and came home quite put out that the strawberry people had put a big sign up at the entrance warning people about Stealing The Fruit and Eating It plus a list of Horrible Consequences if caught!
I always thought that one for the box and one for me was all part of the PYO lark?! :)
Sending love
Julia xxx
Posted by: Julia | August 01, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Could there possibly be anything nicer and more summery than strawberry jam? Even when the weather's horrid, it smells of summer when you're boiling up pounds of strawberries.
Posted by: michaela | August 02, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Oooh, those labels are pretty.
Posted by: maggie ann | August 05, 2009 at 05:24 AM
Your strawberry jam looks scrumptious! Enjoy! I love the scone idea...
Posted by: Dianne | August 06, 2009 at 01:33 AM
Yum!!!
Posted by: Nell | August 09, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Wowee - good work!! I made bramble and apple jam with my Mum (obviously a big kid at heart) only last week. We too found the jam thermometer invaluable.
Posted by: Gemma | August 24, 2009 at 11:43 AM