Is it possible to have too much jam? Probable, but not possible or is that problematic? These are questions of epic proportion indeed.
I've spent the last week traversing the local cherry orchards looking for the best specimens to cart home and turn into jam. I always find myself in a quandary when each branch has better looking specimens than the last. As if one could make a bad decision in such a situation.
I find myself losing track of time once I venture deep into the fields. There is row after row of trees, just begging for a little of my attention. I also find myself losing all track of time once I get deep into jam making. Perhaps that is what happened to the last week of my life. Who knows? You guys should get lost with me out there sometime, it really is amazing.
A few hours later and a sore hand from cutting, the first jars were ready for delivery to Canciamilla Ranch for sale this weekend.
Getting the work part of my week out of the way was a good thing. It left me some free time to engage in a leisurely weekend. I got to enjoy a bbq lunch with my parents and Aunt, complete with a driving tour of a nearby town and drive by our childhood home. It made me wistful for the carefree days of my childhood (scratch that, I worked even as a kid). Well at least sucking on a homemade cherry popsicle that evening made me feel like a kid again.
I find myself losing track of time once I venture deep into the fields. There is row after row of trees, just begging for a little of my attention. I also find myself losing all track of time once I get deep into jam making. Perhaps that is what happened to the last week of my life. Who knows? You guys should get lost with me out there sometime, it really is amazing.
I think I got a little too relaxed from the weekend. When Hot Dog Dude stuck a pile of invoices in my face this morning; it ruined my completely relaxed vibe. For some reason I just couldn't get back into work mode this morning and found myself working on a little invoice of my own for him.
You know what; I've decided there will be no more long leisurely weekends this year. Besides there is fruit as far as the eye can see around here and I have jam to make.
Speaking of decisions to make, I was telling Hot Dog Dude at lunch that I needed to decide on a name for my little jam venture. I think it is the too many choices thing mucking it up for me. Do any of you having any name suggestions that you think might apply. Let me know.
Thanks,
Gina
Sounds like you had a great weekend! I'm going cherry picking today with the church youth group... I'll be thinking of you as I'm out in the orchards :).
ReplyDeleteHave a blast Laura!
DeleteOhmygoodness! You JAM, Gina! Now, to think of a clever name for my clever friend (rubs hands and begins to think, as though hatching an evil plan)...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all your good, I mean evil ideas my dear. Lol.
DeleteI have to put my thinking cap on and think of a jam making business name!!???Save some of those cherries for me ;-)
ReplyDeleteGina,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that your jam making would be a business. How fun! How about Gina's into Jam. Let me know, if I win the prize:)
Glad that you got to relax for a little while over the weekend.
Hi Gina! I would love to loose track of time with you deep in the cherry, or any other fruit, orchards. I'm glad you got some relaxing time this weekend, from the looks of all the jam I'd say you more than earned it. How wonderful that you're turning it into a business, it's going to be very successful I'm sure. Sorry no name suggestions, but if I think of one I'll send it your way.:)
ReplyDeleteYou should teach a class on jam making for those of us like myself who have yet to take this leap in the kitchen. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteI love the labels! I can't wait to see the jam business take off so I can tell everyone I knew you way back when :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could live closer so I could buy a few jars from you. You should start your jam biz online, Gina.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be with you in the kitchen while you're cooking too. I'd even be a willing cherry pitter. :)
ReplyDeleteI love jam, soooo good! Just made some blueberry
ReplyDeleteYum, love the sound of the Cherry-Vanilla, although I'd be tempted by the Spiced Peach too. There is something immensely satisfying about making jam. You can never have too much. It can be used in so many sweet (and savoury) dishes and makes great gifts for foodie friends.
ReplyDelete(That popsicle looks rather good too)
I am a huge fan of jam (I eat it right out of the jar in a spoon sometimes!) so no, you can never have too much jam.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious.
Awesome Gina...I would love to have one of your jam...
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your week :)
So much jam! Lucky you :) And I think it's completely impossible to relax *too much. We deserve it ;)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, love your invoice :) There are gold mining shows on TV - who knew!? So glad you had a relaxing weekend - you certainly deserve it after all those hours getting lost in the fields and the kitchen :) Here's a few names for you: JamaRama, Jammin' with Gina, Gina's Jams, Don't Be Jelly Jams - I'll message you if I come up with more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Priscilla, love all the name ideas.
DeleteI use to have a jam business when I lived in the city and I put it under my blog name. I am sure you will come up with something fun. I am now making preserves from the vegetables on our farm and selling them, Roy and I don't enough of the stuff so I am always trying to off load them. I really love the jars you have who makes them? I would love to see if I could get them here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteLizzie, I use Kerr half pint (8 ounce jars) they are widely available here, but maybe you would have to order them online.
DeleteLOVE all of those delightful jams! Never too much. I am sure that many, many folks are going to be happy with your jams. I have always told you to open a bakery or jam business. Glad that it sounds like you are heading that direction - you are too darn talented to not share your talents with the world. :-) Okay, I know it is simple and probably too obvious - but how about if you call your jam business - "Gina's Jams". It rhymes and you could attach a catchy tune to it.
ReplyDeleteYummy jam and so great that you are venturing into a business! Jamlicious? :D
ReplyDeleteNo such thing as too much jam! Especially jam made with cherries??!! Are they sweet or sour cherries? Love the photo of the cherries hanging on the tree - had to pin that!
ReplyDeleteJulia these are sweet cherries. We have sour ones out here too, but I really don't think they are that sour. Thanks for the pin.
Delete-Gina-
You are amazing!! I *just* realized that I've never had cherry jam... can you believe it? And I LOVE cherries! I think it's because I never canned anything before so I haven't seen the possibilities. I think you are ready to start your own jam business. I am serious!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Gina...I agree with Angie. You should start an on-line business, and keep on 'JAMMIN'! Awesome jams, I would recommend you to all my friends:)
ReplyDeleteOh, my. Look at all that gorgeous fruit! And jars of jam. I'm toying with making my first jam soon...I know who to call if mine flops!!! You are the SPJamQueen, too!
ReplyDelete