Its Raspberry Time! AKA- sunshine in a jar

Red Raspberry Jam

 Mid July means canning and preserving time has arrived! My favorite!! Kiteley's Berry Farm in Charlevoix is my go-to place to pick the most amazing strawberries, red and black raspberries and beautiful lettuces for summer salads.

  Last night I cooked and processed the first of the red raspberry jams- 8 8oz jars that are so beautifully jewel toned I could sit and gaze at them for hours! 

  Tonight I will do Razzelberry Jam- raspberry and strawberry. I picked strawberries earlier in the summer and froze a bunch so that I could add them to the raspberries - its the most delicious combination.. Mmmm.....

  Next up is pickles-- tons and tons! I gift many of them and use them all summer at The Beach House on burgers and hot dogs. After that is Sweet Corn and lastly Apples. 

 There is something very comforting about working and eating by the seasons; to know that I am living in tandem with The Wheel rather  than running against it or disregarding it completely. 

 The rewards are immediate as well as long term; immediately I feel connected and a part of the larger whole of the world. Long term I have developed patience, practicability and the delightful gift of opening Sunshine and Summer in a Jar come the cold grey days of February...