Notes to self . . .

This summer I made freezer jam and canned peaches. It was quite adventurous for me! But there are a few things I'm worried I'll forget about those experiences. So I'm writing them here.

CANNING PEACHES

1. Don't can peaches. 

FREEZER JAM

1. Buy/pick enough berries to do several batches. I only did 2 batches of strawberry jam in May and we'll probably run out in October.

2. Buy the containers at the dollar store. You get the most for your money there. Last year I spent almost as much $ on containers as I did on the berries.

3. Buy sugar at Costco or Sam's. Sugar and flour are so cheap there! How did I never realize this before?

4. For as long as we're still in Utah, pick raspberries at The Raspberry Patch in Payson. So pretty there!

5. If you pick berries, you must save old milk cartons and cut a hole in the top, then loop the handle through your belt while you pick. You'll feel nerdy at first, but it's SO nice to have both hands free.

6. Buy lots of MCP pectin when it goes on sale.

7. Let the kids help mix, but don't let them pour. (I learned that one the hard way)

Dragonfly

I took off all the window screens the other day to give them (and the windows) a good, thorough cleaning. As the screens were drying, I cracked open the kitchen window to keep an eye on the kids playing just outside. That's when I got a visitor.

He was beautiful, but still not welcome-- and it was quite the ordeal to get him back out. But at least Porter loved every minute of it.

The screens went back on the windows right away.