Life, man. It’s hard. You might be living the life you had imagined you always would, or a better one, or sometimes a worse one than you thought you might. Maybe you went down a completely different path than your parents, friends, yourself had wanted. Or maybe you are doing exactly as you wrote on a piece of paper back in junior high. Life, man it’s hard and real and great and tragic and deep and light and hopefully filled with love and laughter.
I grew up in a house of chaos. There wasn’t a lot of “normalcy” in my neck of the woods. There was disruption, confusion, lies, mistrust, loneliness, guard up, sometimes hands up. This is not meant to have anyone feel sorry for me, this isn’t pity party table for one. This is real life. In a moment of childhood weakness, upheaval feels like a sigh of relief. I hate this part of me, but it’s me. It’s the girl behind the lens, behind the cake, behind the blog. It’s the mom who does whatever she can to break a cycle, to control the chaos, to organize and plan and push for a real sense of security and normalcy. This is me, making up for the basic skills I lacked. There weren’t a lot of bbq’s, there were no hobbies and practices, not many vacations or happy memories. There was a life, my life, which made me who I am today. No matter how far we run from our roots, they are deep inside us, and sometimes they come up in a surprising way.
So that is my deep part of this post, the dark place in which I sometimes go. But here is something happy, something tasty, simple and delicious-strawberry jam. Many people are afraid to tackle jam, with the canning and the boiling, etc. But don’t be afraid, because you can tackle it, and this jam is so easy, so quick, but just as good as if you had spent days stirring in a hot kitchen with no ac. Make some jam, take time for yourself, and love those around you who might not seem like they need it.
Strawberry jam
1 bag of frozen strawberries, or half a pound of fresh strawberries
½ cup of sugar
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Chop the fresh strawberries, or puree the frozen strawberries in a blender until chunky pieces
Place strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan or pot on med high heat with the lid on for 5-7 minutes.
Remove lid and stir until thicken, about 10 minutes more.
Place in cans or heatproof storage container and let cool to room temperature
Refrigerate for up to two weeks, freeze for a month or two
Tammy says
Mmmm…my favorite. And lovely post. Much love to you!
love back to you my friend!
Steph H says
Your recipes and stories are fantastic! I’m hopefully going to enjoy the strawberry jam too. Thank you so much! Keep blogging
thank you so much!
Amazing post! Great job, girl. I commend you for your honesty and candor. I especially thank you for strawberry jam.
Thank you
That is pretty easy. I remember when I was young, my parents made homemade jams and it was quite a process.
Janelle, I am so impressed with your raw honesty with your lead in. I didn’t have the greatest upbringing and related to a few things you said. And I tried to break the cycle myself and wasn’t always successful but my three kids actually turned out great despite my flaws. Oh, and the recipe sounds good too!
I think the thing with not growing up the best, is if you work hard you apply that knowledge to do better. And thank you for your comment, it means a lot.
MrsRoche says
Thanks for a great recipe and a good cry. I can relate.
Hugs to you and thank you for reading.
Now I know that strawberry jams have a bit of lemon juice. They’re so easy to do!
Thank you for sharing part of your personal story!!! Jam - I’m inspired to try it now!
I like homemade jam. Strawberry homemade jam is the best of the best!
C.J. says
Great post. I have a new love for jam all over again. Going to try this. Thanks!
Alexandra McAllister (@alexandrawow101) says
Thanks so much for sharing your story and your recipe for strawberry jam. You’re right, life doesn’t have to be that hard…all the time. You’re an inspiration!
Such a sweet comment, thank you
Hilary @ The RNY Life says
I never knew jam was so easy to make. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to give it a try
Thank you for this, I was hoping some day I would try to make Jam as well. I also hear ya on the growing up part, been there as well..
natosha miller (@airmonkey120) says
Super cool and wonderful! thank you for sharing. Also to mention Tasty!
I grew up in a house of chaos too. Thanks for sharing your story. The jam looks great! Would make a cute gift too! Thanks for the recipe!
tony (@tonygreene113) says
I like how easy and common the ingredients for the recipe will be to find. This reminds me of the recipe that I followed from another site for 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies.
My granny is always making jam, she also loves canning so that is partly why! I love her apple jam though its soooo good!
Emma T (@ETusty) says
That’s a really simple version. I’m sure everyone could manage it
LaTonya (Detroit Mom) says
I had no idea jam was that easy to make, I am so making some tomorrow, Thanks for the recipe, you Rock!
let me know how you like it!
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
Good job! Accept that your experiences made you who you are today and move on to a happier, healthier you! The jam sounds delicious!!
We are counting down the days for our strawberries to be ready to pick. I make jam every year.
Chasity Boatman says
I’ve always wanted to make my own jam! Thanks for sharing this.
This jam sounds wonderful. I have never thought to make my own.
This post just shows how far you have come. The jams sounds awesome and thanks for the recipe. I haven’t made jam in years.
It’s seriously that easy??? Sheesh, I should have been making my own jams for years! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of you too!
This is the super simple way. I am not a fancy canning expert, but for my life and family, this works great! Try it and let me know how it works for you
Ralff Dizon says
I don’t know how to make jam, but this very simple. I will going to try this. Thanks for Sharing.
Cintia (@VanillaCintia) says
Thanks for writing down your family issues. My childhood wasn’t nice either and when I read about a similar one I feel I am not alone with this on the world. Because people who has wonderful life always shows everything that they are perfect…
life is definitely not perfect, and I am thankful I have people to help me overcome some bad beginnings. Thanks for letting me know and thanks for your kind words
Wow I never realized how easy it is to make, I will have to try this!
This sounds amazing, I love strawberry jam, my granny used to do a lot of canning, she made the best jam ever! Gonna try this out, makes me hungry just thinking about it.
I love jam, though I’ve never made my own. Glad to give it a try next week!
Yes, Jam shouldn’t be hard. We used to do strawberry Jams at home because we have a lot of strawberries in my home town.
lisa galuna (@LisaGaluna) says
Looks Yummy Who Knew It Was That Easy To Make Thank You I Must Try!!
I love strawberry jam I’ve been doing jam for the last 2 months since they are so cheap right now love the recipe thanks!
Stacie D. Wyatt says
I thought making jams and jellies was harder than that. Love the recipe.
I had no idea how easy it is to make. I have ALL of those ingredients
zatomlinson says
I have always wanted to learn how to make jam! I have this pinned for when I get a chance to make it!
Claudia Krusch says
Loved your post and you’ve inspired me to try to make jam!
yay Claudia, come back and let me know how it worked for you.
Shay Cb says
As I kept stating in my blog, I am not a natural-born cook or baker. I did not have an idea that making jam is this easy.
there is the old school ways of doing it, but to me this is the easiest way, with delicious results.
Strawberry jam is my favorite. Thanks for sharing.
I love the jam recipe and I love that you showed a vulnerable side in your post! I’m daring myself to try both and I’m betting the jam will go over better now that I have your recipe!!!
Katherine Rose Coronel- Rivera says
I like how you make a story out of the recipe. I love strawberry jam of all sorts and your recipe looks very yumm! I can sya it’s simple as that but looks appetizing even if there’s only few ingredients because it’s fresh!
thank you so much. to me most food or recipes start with a story, an idea, etc. it’s super easy to do.
lovely post and what a great looking jam!
Lena Blair says
Looks delicious and oh so easy, thanks for sharing!!
Jhady says
I love the title of your post. I think it’s time for me to make a jam and give it to someone who is upset with me maybe it can rekindled a relationship.
thank you! and try it, food can be a definite peace offering
Kenneth Manaloto says
I really like your title here and I love jam, specifically strawberry jam.
It breaks my heart that your home wasnt your safe place but it seems like you came out on top.
I am doing great now, but thank you so much for your kind words.
I remember making and canning jam together with my mother every fall. We would also make homemade apple juice and bottle it. Good memories, thank you for bringing them back!
homemade apple juice sounds divine!
Your upbringing sounds a heck of a lot like mine…as well as the way you deal with that.
Hey, whaddaya know- your jam is like mine too!! lol
~ Saying hi from the Dish ~
Alysia
http://www.mydomesticdish.com
mmm im all for homemade anything and i manage to screw everything up!!! this sounds and looks like something that i can actually do thank you very much
This actually doesn’t sound too hard. WOuld love to try it!
Pixie Dust Savings (@PixieDustSaving) says
What a great simple recipe! I will have to try making this for my hubby. I am sure he will love it! My life wasn’t easy either and many times still isn’t.
Sandy Sandler says
Love that jam recipe. I am going to make some. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn Lovejoy from Order in the Kitchen says
Thank you for giving us a piece of you with this delicious recipe! You are such a lovely person inside and out! Can’t wait to make this jam (maybe with raspberries?!) and I’ll report back. Much love XO
You are so welcome. I want people to know the lady behind the blog as well
Raspberries sound wonderful!