I'm growing up...

This post was supposed to be about Strawberry Jelly but it's turned into more than that. I am slowly realizing I can do most things on my own...without my mom and it makes me kind of sad. I have always relied on her to make my favorite foods. There is just something about my mom's cooking-it's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! No one does things like she does and I probably will never get over that. This is pathetic but no one can make a sandwich like her or "doctor" up a glass of iced tea like her (she always adds the perfect amount of everything).

When we lived in Tulsa, when I wanted one of my favorite meals-who would I call? My mom of course, and she was so willing to make it for me. Last week, I started a new trend of making what my mom always made during the summer--last week it was the strawberry pie--this week it was strawberry jelly. Most years, my mom would make strawberry jelly and Peter and I would politely ask for (steal) a few jars. This stuff is seriously addicting-I could probably sit and eat it by the spoonful. This year, since we are living in Minnesota, I decided to attempt it on my own (I mean with the help of two wonderful little girls). That's another thing, I remember spending hours (sitting on the kitchen counter) helping my mom cook and tasting all of the wonderful food. So I called my mom earlier this week and asked for the "family" recipe for this amazing jelly. To my astonishment, she told me the recipe was on the box of Fruit Pectin. I have to admit that I was little disappointed that she didn't invent this tasty stuff. So last night, I went to the store and bought all of the ingredients. I was a bit hesitant to attempt this daunting task but today after naps, I decided it was time.

All of the stuff needed for the strawberry jelly (mason jars, sugar-lots of sugar, lemon juice, strawberries and fruit pectin)

Harper smashing the strawberries

The finished mixture


Ready to set up in the refrigerator for 24 hours...next I will put in the freezer to keep for the rest of the year.


Next, I'm thinking about making pickles or putting up corn...two other things I remember doing in the summer with my mom.

When we do visit Tulsa, of course, I still want my mommy to fix my favorite things.