Raspberry Preserves

A couple of years ago I wanted to try something new.  I didn't know what the difference between jam and preserves was, so I decided to test it out.  I made one batch of raspberry jam and one batch of raspberry preserves.  The jam needs pectin, which sets the jam and makes it thicker, the preserves are more liquidy (I know that is not a word, but that is how I roll).  With preserves you don't smash your berries like you do with jam, It does'nt really look like it in the picture, but there are quite a few whole berries in each pint, unlike jam.  I don't mind the seeds, if you do you have have to get rid of half the seed like you do with jam.

At first I was not sure what exactly we would use the preserves for.  Me being one who does not like things to get soggy, definetly did not want them on toast.  What to do??  The first test was vanilla ice cream... umm, YES!!  Delish!  Our next test was pancakes/waffles... WOW!  My hubby and I never, and I pretty much mean never, put maple syrup on them anymore.  Seriously, so good!  When we were down to 2 pints left, my hubby started to get worried!  But don't worry, this year I made two batches, there will be plenty this year.

Easy Raspberry Preserves

8 C. whole raspberries

7 C. Sugar

1/3-1/2 C. lemon juice, depending on the tartness of the berries

PLace berries in a heavy bottomed pan and pour sugar and lemon juice on top.  Set the pot over low heat, stir everything together.  Continue to cook, stirring occasionally.  As soon as you notice the first signs of boil, set timer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat when the timer goes off.  Cool to room temperature in the pan, then transfer to jars.  The preserves will keep in the freezer for up to 3 years, or a few months in the fridge.  

I actually process the preserves in a hot bath so that I can store them in my storage room.  Process them in the hot bath for 10 minutes (after the water comes to a full a boil).

Enjoy!

Rachel

Handmade Satin Flower Hairclips

  The Newest arrivals to our collection of Accessories are these adorable Handmade Satin Flowers!  The look great on ANY age!  They come either Plain or Accessorized with Feathers.  Right now our collection is with Pink, Pink with Pink Polka Dots, Purple, White, Black, Yellow, and Teal.  We will continue to add colors as we find them and hope you like them too!

*Buy 1 for $5.00 and get the 2nd one of the same color FREE!  Just change the cart number to 2 and it will take off the $5.00!!

    

Plain Satin Flowers- 

Colors Available

Pink $5.00 USD Pink with Pink Polka Dots $5.00 USD Purple $5.00 USD White $5.00 USD Black $5.00 USD Yellow $5.00 USD Teal $5.00 USD

Select Middle Accessory

Pearls Clear Gem Pink Gem Blue Gem Teal Gem

Satin Flowers Accessorized with Feathers-

Colors Available

Pink $5.00 USD Pink with Pink Polka Dots $5.00 USD Purple $5.00 USD White $5.00 USD Black $5.00 USD Teal $5.00 USD Yellow $5.00 USD

Select Middle Accessory

Pearl Pink Gem Clear Gem Blue Gem Teal Gem

Colorful Magic Cookie Bars

Colorful Magic Cookie Bars


Can you say YUM?  Don't these look delicious?  I was on the Kellogg's site looking for coupons and just browsed their desserts.  This is one that caught my eye!  What could be wrong with anything that has chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and crunchy corn flakes?  If you want to give it a try, here is the recipe!

Description

It's good that these bars are easy to make--just layer, bake and cut into squares--because they're so delicious that they'll disappear in no time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 48 

Ingredients



• 1 1/2 cups Kellogg's® Corn Flake Crumbs
• -- or --
• 6 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes® cereal
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 package (6 oz,. 1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 1/3 cups (3 1/2 oz.) flaked coconut
• 1 can (15 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Directions

1. Measure KELLOGG'S Corn Flake Crumbs, sugar and margarine into
13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Mix thoroughly. With back of spoon, press mixture evenly and firmly in bottom of pan to form crust.

2. Sprinkle walnuts, chocolate morsels and coconut evenly over crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over top.

3. Bake at 350° F about 25 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.


MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:

1. Microwave margarine in 12 x 7 1/2 x 2-inch glass baking dish on HIGH until melted. Add KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKES Crumbs and sugar. Mix thoroughly. Press lightly in bottom of dish to form crust.

2. Sprinkle walnuts, chocolate chips, and coconut evenly over KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKE Crumbs crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over top.

3. Microwave on HIGH about 7 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Hope you'll enjoy them too!

~Stacy~

Happy 4th of July!!

    Happy Birthday America!!! 237 Years Old today! What an awesome thing. We hope everyone can have a FANTASTIC Independence day with lots of things to celebrate. This is one of the Sista's favorite holidays, especially remembering our younger years!
    It was tradition in our small town to start out with a pancake breakfast at the church put on by the Scouts. We would venture on "The Square" for the city Parade that would start at 10:00 am, sharp. It was always started with 4 or 5 Air Force Jet planes flying overhead in formation. All of the schools, clubs, and even many stores participated and displayed their floats. The 4-H club always had kids on horses, as well as Cowboys and Cowgirls from the rodeo and different groups. All of the little league and All-Star baseball teams had their groups riding in pick-up trucks borrowed from the local car dealerships! It was so much fun. We were always sad when it was over.
    Next was barbecue or picnic time with our families. We would either go to the Dam our Grandpa worked at or to our cousins home with a pool and just spend the rest of the day playing with our family...LOTS of cousins. It was AWESOME! We would then make our way over to the fireworks and all cram into the back of the car/van/ or truck to watch the fireworks and hear the great 4th of July music that would help us remember all of the people who had made our freedom possible. What a great thing to celebrate! It has been a fun challenge to incorporate old and create new traditions with our growing families, especially with so many of us living in different states throughout the country, but we all do our best to make sure our kids remember what to be grateful for and have great memories in doing this. When I (Stacy) first moved away from little town, Idaho, I was honestly shocked that EVERYONE didn't have parades and things of this nature, but we have tried to make sure to spend the day with family and friends and of course find fireworks somewhere to watch. Whether it is at the end of a baseball game, somewhere in the city, or just doing them on our own, we will be there!!! Here are a couple of ideas to help the celebrations along...

Fruit Flag.  My friend also made a Fruit Flag Pizza last year.  It was delicious!  

Here is a recipe for Fruit Pizza.

Oreo Cookies!  Otherwise known as Decadent Chocolate Truffels.

Here is the Recipe!

Substitute the chocolate chips for almond bark or white chocolate chips so you can color them.  Sprinkle them with blue and white sprinkles as another option!

4th of July Popcicles!  (official recipe at link)

You can also just be creative with juices to make the colors.  One note, make sure they are SET hard, frozen solid, before moving to the next color or you will end up with pink and purple, as we found out this with with our first attempt!  

With all of the fun and family fun, don't forget what it is all about...

Thank you, to all of you.  We will always be grateful!

Happy Birthday, America and Happy 4th of July!

Love , the Sissies!