How to Make Blueberry Jam
September 5, 2008 by Emily · 6 Comments
I am excited to introduce you to Carrie! A super cool blogger from Oikology 101. She has a delicious recipe for making Blueberry Jam and she is going to share her recipe and Jam-making experience with Little Window Shoppe today.
Blueberry Jam Recipe
(modified from Ball Pectin recipe insert)
4 cups mashed blueberries (approx 6-7 cups or 3-4 pints whole)
1 box Ball Fruit Pectin
2 cups white sugar
2 cups Granulated Splenda or Sucralose (generic name)
1/2 t butter (if necessary to reduce foaming)
- Place whole berries in food processor and process on low/pulse until berries begin to mash. Measure out the sugar and Splenda and set them close to the stove.
- Measure out the 4 cups of mashed blueberries into a pan with high sides to avoid splatter. Turn the heat on high and add the pectin in slowly, stirring continuously.
- When mixture has reached a full boil that can not be stirred down, dump in your sugar mixture and stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring mixture to a full boil. You may add in the butter if your fruit foams.
- Boil the mixture hard for one full minute, then remove from heat.
- Pour the hot jam into hot sterilized jars. Seal with lids and bands (do not over-tighten your bands, but make sure they are not loose) and process (be sure the water in your canner covers the tops of your jars by at least an inch) for ten minutes.
- Remove from water and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. If any of your jars haven’t sealed (just poke the top and if it makes a noise, it hasn’t sealed properly), refrigerate and use within three weeks.
- Doubling this recipe is not recommended due to additional processing time, which may make the jam runny.
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I’m Carrie and I blog over at Oikology 101 (www.oikology101.blogspot.com). I know what you’re saying–”Whaaaat?” “Is she talking in gibberish?” Yes, Oikology is a real word!! Oikology: (oy-koll’-uh-jee) n. the study, or science of homemaking. From the Greek oikos, “house, dwelling.”
I’ve been a student in the study of Oikology for five months, that’s when I quit my job to stay at home with my baby girl (a.k.a. the midget) and the wieners (our mini-dachshund and dachshund/beagle mix). I have this idea that I will be good at anything that I try, so I try lots of things. Take for instance, my recent jam making endeavor.
My husband often shows up with random fruits and vegetables, as he speaks to farmers as part of his job. Two weeks ago, he came home with 5 lbs. of blueberries, so I made a few blueberry recipes and froze quite a few bags for winter use. Last week, he walked in the door and plopped down TEN lbs. of blueberries!
I had one dozen jam jars, lids, and bands ($8), a large canner ($20), a jar lifter (REQUIRED, well not required, but you will be sorry if you don’t have it), and a wide-mouth funnel (the funnel and jar lifter came together in a set for about $5). I also use my regular metal tongs (Oxo Good Grips) to lift the lids, but they do make magnetic lid lifters for a few dollars.
I decided to do half sugar and half Splenda (generic name-Sucralose) to make it a low-sugar jam. I thought it would work, but if it didn’t, what’s a few pints of blueberries to experiment with when I have eighty gazillion pounds left?
I was surprised at how easy it was and how fast the berry/pectin mixture started to boil! Be sure to use a pot with high sides because it can be messy. Oh and when they say to measure out your ingredients ahead of time, they mean it!! I barely had time to snap a picture without purpley-blue splatter flying everywhere! But, it was fast and easy and by the time my little one woke up, I was finished with two batches!!
Be sure to get your water in your canner up to a simmering boil and boil your jars, lids, and bands for ten minutes previous to starting the jam. Start the jam immediately after pulling your jars, lids, and bands out of the canner. Your jars will stay hot long enough to fill.
The jam set perfectly and the taste and texture was superb: sweet, yet tart and nice and full of blueberry chunks.
For more Oikology 101 awesomeness, check out her blog!
Because I LOVE Pottery Barn’s 65% Off Sales…
August 8, 2008 by Emily · 5 Comments
Pottery Barn Kids’ End of Summer Clearance!! Woo!
One Last Look…
August 6, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
Before Summer fades away there are just a few things yet to see. These picks seem to keep summer around just a little longer.
{Avon Convertible Dress $28 ~ Katie Newman Old Fashioned White Lantern $11}
{NapaStyle Lemon Citrus Squeezer $12 ~ Silk Fair Moxie Necklace $32}
Sweet Shoppe: Handmade {jig}
July 30, 2008 by Emily · 1 Comment
The Onesie. Your favorite baby staple takes on a whole new look with a {jig} design. With one of a kind handmade onesies and shirts, this etsy shoppe makes shopping for baby easy, fun and personalized. Priced at $8.
There’s no wrapping required with this gift set as these customized clothes come wrapped up in a keepsake wooden box with grosgrain ribbon and a custom tag on top. Priced at $30.
Crisp and uncomplicated, this customized classic toddler shirt is one that your tot will want to wear everywhere. Priced at $12.
Sensational Swirly Sun Hat
July 14, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
Love this hat! Find it at Anthropologie.com for $38.
Happy 4th of July!!
July 4, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
Happy 4th of July!! What a great day. I love everything about today, family activities, hanging out at the lake on the boat, BBQ’s, fireworks, ice cream, and knowing that I live in the Good Ol’ USA. So, to strut your stars and stripes this lovely 4th of July (and anytime of the year), check out PatrioticTees.com.
$22.50
Now if you are an avid reader of my site, I have been a little MIA this week. I think that two days of traveling across the country will do that to someone. But it was all worth it, because we LOVE and MISS our family and also because we ran into NBA super-star Deron Williams and his family at the airport. Cute, cute family - we were ecstatic, of course!! 
So, I’m back on schedule…with more savvy tips, shoppes and cool items coming soon. By the way, if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, I’m having a mini giveaway… When you subscribe to the Window Shoppe Newsletter, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a copy of the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide - Winner announced July 30th. To see my review on this guide, check it out here.
I just started a newsletter for the Little Window Shoppe and am so excited about this one. It creates a way for you to receive monthly highlights from The Little Window Shoppe featuring new boutiques, shoppes, and great discounts. Now that the Sweet Shoppes are buzzing, (woo! - So happy about that too!) I really want to make more opportunities for these shoppes to be seen, so this monthly newsletter will send special offers your way and will keep you in check with the latest updates.
Summer Fun
June 26, 2008 by Michelle P. · 1 Comment
Summer is here! Now is the time to enjoy all the unscheduled time with your kids doing what they do best–playing! Here are two great and inexpensive toys that will keep you all entertained.
Gazillion Bubble Machine $15
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? This bubble machine makes 500 bubbles per minute! It provides hours of fun for your little ones, and helps you save your breath! Available at Amazon.com or your favorite toy store.
Rocket Balloons with Pump $10
I first saw these rocket balloons when a friend brought them to the park for a playdate. Soon all the kids from the playground were chasing these zooming balloons through the park. You inflate the oversized balloons with the included pump and then let them fly! Your kids will love chasing them, and trying to guess where they will land. Available at amazon.com, or in some Target stores.
Summer Reading
June 21, 2008 by Emily · 3 Comments
School’s out for most - but that doesn’t mean that learning has to stop just yet! Help your children join a Summer Reading club so that learning can stay fun and meaningful all summer long. Summer Reading clubs may also help children who do not like to read as they promote fun reading and sometimes offer reading rewards.
My brother, sister and I loved being a part of the local library’s summer reading club growing up and looked forward to each new book. I remember earning points and prizes too for each book I read. Summer reading can be fun, constructive and a great way to keep skills sharp.
Barnes and Noble is offering a free book to children who read 8 books this summer! This is just one reward you can get started with right away - Check out all of the details here.
If you are not close to a local library and still would like a few book suggestions, ideas and tips for readers of all ages, may I suggest these links: Family Education, Scholastic, Reading is fundamental, Reading Rockets, Read, Write, Think and PBS Parents (summer tips).
Comfy Flip Flops
June 18, 2008 by Emily · 2 Comments
My husband and I took a trip to Sports Authority last week so that he could buy a new pair of running shoes. While I waited for him, I found the most comfy pair of flip flops ever!
Adidas Sporty Flip Flops are very cushy with a fit-foam footbed, which means they mold right to your foot. The kind of shoes I could wear all day long! A great pick for summer too.
You can find them at Adidas for $25 or at Kohls (I love Kohls) for $19 on sale!
Slip Slap Slop
June 18, 2008 by Emily · 4 Comments
These are the sounds of sun screen being slathered on kids everywhere… Yesterday we took Logan, my little one year old, to the pool. It was so much fun, kids were playing, Nerf footballs were flying and we were having a blast splashing in the water.
On our way home, I looked at the pink hue on our cheeks and thought about sun safety and sun screen. I have light skin and tons of freckles, so I am an avid sun-block user. Growing up, the 15 SPF just didn’t work for me, so I had to put on at least 30 SPF or above. Ultimately, I made sure that we wore our sunblock yesterday. But there are always a few (my self included) who get scorched by the sun each year and have an ouchy sunburn to endure.
I found this little article on Sun Safety to be really helpful - it presents the facts of sun exposure, and shares how to protect yourself from the sun and how treat your skin if a sun burn does occur. One fact states: “most kids rack up between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, so it’s important that parents teach their children how to enjoy fun in the sun safely.”
And if by chance a sunburn does occur, here’s a sunburn Instruction Sheet:
If you are not sure which sunscreen to choose, this little article may be of some help too. Coppertone carries a few popular sun blocks for kids that I love to use especially as they are the No. 1 Pediatrician recommended brand, waterproof, hypoallergenic, non-irritating, PABA-free, fragrance-free and ideal for use on your baby’s face. Coppertone also has helpful fAQ’s, a summer tool-kit (which includes your local forecast and UV index), and great sun strategies.
And for easier application - try a sunblock stick (in sun block spray bottles too).
You can find these just about anywhere you like to shop for less than $10.
