It all started with the local county fair. Many years ago, as a young mother, I innocently entered a jar of homemade jam and won first place. That small success has sat in my memory bank as one of my special accomplishments in life. 30 years later, as I near retirement from a teaching career, I was ready to rekindle that success. It could launch me into a retirement hobby of revisiting homemaking skills I've had to put on the shelf for too long.
I made my jam and innocently entered it, yet again, into the fair. I won, 4th place.
To say that was a disappointment doesn't go far enough. I was surprised, somewhat shocked and disbelieving. I saw the third place jam and the jar wasn't completely full and there was foam on the top. Mine topped out perfectly and had no foam. I never got to see the first and second place winners.
I mumbled childishly and wondered how the judges could have gotten it so wrong. I was much better in the kitchen now then I was 30 years ago.
I collected my jam after the fair and tried to quiz the gal in charge as to what criteria the judges were using. She could only give me a few notes, like color and taste.
Still a little disgruntled (but behaving myself), I left with my two jars. There are no ribbons for 4th place.
On the way home I noticed a local farmers fruit and vegetable stand. They had strawberries this year. I decided to check them out.
My favorite strawberries come from the Santa Maria, California area and I usually buy them fresh from the field during the Spring. One of my favorites is Albion berries. There is another berry that is even sweeter, but more more expensive, from another vendor in the area. I can't remember it's name, but will now make a point of looking for it this spring.
My local farmer had field fresh berries and they turned out to be Albions. I sensed a mission forming, so I bought a full flat of berries.
At home I carefully inspected my 4th place jar of jam and had to admit, the color was rather dark and the texture was rather dense. It didn't spread easily on the bread, but the taste was still quite delightful.
I decided I would make jam again until I could master the product. My report on batch on tomorrow...
I made my jam and innocently entered it, yet again, into the fair. I won, 4th place.
To say that was a disappointment doesn't go far enough. I was surprised, somewhat shocked and disbelieving. I saw the third place jam and the jar wasn't completely full and there was foam on the top. Mine topped out perfectly and had no foam. I never got to see the first and second place winners.
I mumbled childishly and wondered how the judges could have gotten it so wrong. I was much better in the kitchen now then I was 30 years ago.
I collected my jam after the fair and tried to quiz the gal in charge as to what criteria the judges were using. She could only give me a few notes, like color and taste.
Still a little disgruntled (but behaving myself), I left with my two jars. There are no ribbons for 4th place.
On the way home I noticed a local farmers fruit and vegetable stand. They had strawberries this year. I decided to check them out.
My favorite strawberries come from the Santa Maria, California area and I usually buy them fresh from the field during the Spring. One of my favorites is Albion berries. There is another berry that is even sweeter, but more more expensive, from another vendor in the area. I can't remember it's name, but will now make a point of looking for it this spring.
My local farmer had field fresh berries and they turned out to be Albions. I sensed a mission forming, so I bought a full flat of berries.
At home I carefully inspected my 4th place jar of jam and had to admit, the color was rather dark and the texture was rather dense. It didn't spread easily on the bread, but the taste was still quite delightful.
I decided I would make jam again until I could master the product. My report on batch on tomorrow...
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