156 jams & counting

Sorry I haven't been putting up recipes or
something lately, but this is what I've been busy
doing.....Making jam, jam, & more jam for about
the last 3 days.....Plus in between trying to save
a "2 yr. old" freezer from quitting on me. The
saying "They sure don't make things the way they
used to" comes to mind....So does a saying my
daughter uses (which I like a lot)......"Life's tough...
get a helmet".....I think I'll make that the "Quote
of the day"............At least it's not the air
conditioner in this 106 degree heat!!!!!

Anyway......besides my feet hurting and a little tired
1/2 of my jam for the year is done....Yeah...
it's only 1/2 (of what I make) for Santa's Gift Shoppe
Christmas Boutique...(coming in only...133 days)
but..it's better than not having started yet.....

These are the kinds I have right now: Strawberry,
Strawberry-Plum, Plum, Straw/Blueberry/Plum,
Straw/Blueberry, Apricot, Straw/Boysenberry, &
Straw/Rasp./Blueberry......Wow..That's a lot even
for me to say...

I love experimenting with different mixtures
or blends of jam to come up with unique flavors...
(& I have come up with quite a few).....Some friends like
to try these new blends & end up getting 10 or more
jars at a time....("It's a good thing"......they make great
gifts anytime).......

I've probably made thousands of jars of jams in
32 yrs. & hope to be doing it for another 32...

I am having the price remain at $3.95 (for an 8oz. jar)
because I like giving my customers a good deal.....
Other boutiques have charged $5 (but I haven't
increased the price in 6 yrs. or so) I have customers
who love it so much they've gotten 10-15 jars at a
time. Some have even hidden it from their kids...

I'm always humbled by what my customers
say concerning their finds at the Boutique...
I appreciate them soooo much....Well on to the next
project!!!!

REMEMBER: "QUOTE OF THE DAY"
"LIFE'S TOUGH......GET A HELMET...."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA"

We love America..... and all the veterans that have
given their lives and have sacraficed on our behalf
to have the freedoms that we enjoy daily. Thank you
to all of you from all of us at Santa's Gift Shoppe.

At our Gift Shoppe during the summer months we
are constantly trying out new recipes for jams,
cookies, candies & craft ideas which will be available
in December....4th & 5th 2009 at our Christmas Boutique.

Mrs.Claus' kitchen filled with jams in July

This is how Mrs. Claus' kitchen looks in the middle
of the summer.....really busy...... creating at least 20
kinds of blends of unique tasting jams. They have
found their way into the Fresno County Fair's record
books by winning 1st place ribbons.

Canned Plums

These are the plums from our backyard trees.
It has been the best tree producer for so many
years.......Thanks Mr. Plum Tree..... Many
hundreds of jars of jam have also come from it.

Canned Apricots

These are the 17 quarts of apricots that came from our
backyard trees. Another 5 bags have been frozen
for this years jams yet to be made. This next week
is going to be cooler so I'll try to start that project then.