Current list of on hand Jams

Since the program this morning , I've been asked quite a few times what jams I currently have on hand, so below is the list as of right now. 

 (I do have a church bazaar in town this Saturday) so the list will likely change.  (Also, note, that some of the flavors are the last until next summer-namely Black Raspberry.  We were able to freeze quite a bit of Blackberry, Strawberry and Red Raspberry)

• Apple Cider
• Black Raspberry
• Blackberry
• Carrot Cake
• Cherry 
• Christmas Jam
• Clementine Marmalade
• Corn Cob
• Dandelion *
• Elderberry*
• Lilac Jelly *
• Lilac Syrup *
• Monkey Butter
• Peach
• Peach Vanilla
• Pink Lemonade
• Pumpkin Spice
• Razzleberry
• Red Raspberry
• Strawberry
• Strawberry Lime Margarita *
• Sunshine Jam
• Sweet Tea with Lemon
• Sweet Confetti Pepper
• Sweet Red Pepper
• Tomato Basil
• Violet *
• Watermelon
• Carmelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Jam
• Cowboy Candy
• Salsa
• Pepperonici

There are about 12 Flavors currently "out-of-stock". * items (flower jellies and "adult" jams) are slightly higher in price

Fast & Easy Appetizers with JAM! Intro!

As you know, earlier today I was on a local morning news show highlighting quick and easy appetizers that you can make with jam.  It was suggested that I post the recipes.  So these are mostly so fast & easy that there isn't really a recipe, but I did try to take pictures to show how to make them.

Now, you also know, I am a farmer, Not so much a food blogger, so some of my pictures may not be as spiffy as those who professionally (or semi-professionally) do this kind of thing...

All of these are somewhat picture heavy so I will do multiple posts, one for each of the dishes shown this morning.

Thanks for tuning in, and here is a link to the segment.

http://myfox28columbus.com/good-day-columbus/quick-easy-holiday-appetizers

Fast & Easy Appetizers (Part 5) - Other Fun with Jam!

Jams make great hostess gifts, or even "clutter-free" Christmas gifts.

4 Jams in a Basket

2 Jams in a Basket

 

Hostess Jam in a gift bag

We even have a "Jam of the Month" club if you can't decide which flavor you want to try (That way you or your loved one can try them ALL!)

Be sure to go like our Facebook Page, and PLEASE feel free to subscribe to the Blog so you don't miss out on any of the farm action!

Thank you for supporting your little local home businesses!

Fast & Easy Appetizers (Part 4) - Carmelized Onion & Balsamic Vinegar Dip

No, NO this is the easiest one!!

This is so easy, I didn't even take pictures! 

You need sour cream and a jar of our Carmelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Jam

Put Sour cream in the bowl, pour some of the Jam over it.  Stir.

Add a bit more Jam over the top as a garnish.

Serve with Tortilla Chips or Crackers.

As a side note, the Carmelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Jam is mostly savory but also does have a sweet taste to it.  It is also great used over meatloaf, or over the top of a roast cooked in a crockpot.  

Our Tomato Basil is also a sweet/savory that we refer to as "grown up ketchup" it is great over pasta, fish, chicken and veggies.

Also, if you would like to order some of the Onion Jam or any of our Jams, Jellies, and Savories  contact me through the "about me" or Like "Cackleberry Hollow" on Facebook and message me there!

Fast & Easy Appetizers (Part 3) - Pepper Trees

This is quite possibly one of the easiest appetizers!

All you need is cream cheese, a Jam or two, and crackers!

I like to use our Pepper Jams and Cowboy Candy.

the pepper jams are sweet (and made with sweet bell peppers) so it isn't hot, but does have a pepper taste.

The Cowboy Candy, on the other hand, is sneaky hot!!  It is sweet the moment you put it in your mouth, but then the jalapenos come back and kick ya.  The cream cheese does calm it down some.

You can just put out a square block of cheese and then dump the jam or peppers over it, or...

You can be fancy!

Cut it on the diagonal...

Then place them together.

Wet your fingers to smooth the line between the two blocks. 

Then put the peppers over the cheese and serve with crackers (Triskets hold up better than Ritz type of crackers, but your choice.)

Finished picture will be posted after the broadcast.

Also, if you would like to order some of the Pepper Jams or Cowboy Candy, contact me through the "about me" or Like "Cackleberry Hollow" on Facebook and message me there!

Fast & Easy Appetizers (Part 2) - A different kind of Cheese Ball

Like the title says, this is a different kind of Cheese Ball.

It's warm and ooey and gooey!

And easy. 

There are a few different cheeses that work well in this recipe.  

You can use a Brie Round,or Queso Fresco, but I prefer Queso Chihuahua, which is also quesadilla cheese. (I think motzerella would work too, but haven't tried it!)

Also needed is a package of crescent rolls (or you can use puff pastry) and Jam.

I use our Christmas Jam, which is Cranberries, Strawberries (from off the farm), Oranges and spices.

Roll out your crescent rolls so the cuts are closed. I'm pretty sure you can also buy it with out the cuts.  In that case, no rolling is needed.  

Spread jam on the rolls

 (about 3 Tablespoons--I you figured out that I don't much measure!)

Enough so it's the same size as the cheese.

Place the cheese in the jam, and then slather some more jam on top (which will actually end up being the bottom of the cheese ball.)

Fold the pastry/crescent rolls up around the cheese and jam.  Pinch so it's all covered up.

Flip it over and place it on a sprayed cooking sheet.

(I used some extra dough to try to make holly)

Then brush the whole thing with an egg wash.

Place in a 350* oven for about 13-15 minutes (until golden and brown like crescent rolls get)

When it comes out of the oven it will look like this:

Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before moving off of the baking sheet.

Plate it and serve with crackers or pretzel chips.  It can also sliced and eaten with a fork.

Or standing over the kitchen sink!  LOL!

(Plated picture will be added after the broadcast.)

Also, if you would like to order some of theChristmas Jam, contact me through the "about me" or Like "Cackleberry Hollow" on Facebook and message me there!

Fast & Easy Appetizers (Part 1) - Brie Bites

This recipe utilizes sweet jams.  I used our Homestead "Sunshine" which is Peaches and Pears from off the farm, and "Razzleberry" (Blackberries & Raspberries off the farm)

All you need is a package of puff pastry (or you can make your own, but that takes the fast & easy out of the recipe!), a package of Brie and a jar or two of jam.  Strong flavors are best.  These two flavors really stand up to the brie.

Roll the pastry out.  And then cut (I use a pizza roller) into 16-20 pieces.

Even if your muffin/cupcake pan is non-stick, I recommend spraying with baking spray! Between the cheese and jam, plus the delicate pastry, it can be a challenge to get out otherwise

 (Ask me how I know!!)

Anyway, put your squares in with a chunk off of your brie.

Add about a teaspoon (ish) of jam on top of the cheese.

Put in the preheated (350*) oven

Bake for about 12-15 minutes (Depends on your oven, mine is old tends to run hot)

They will be all melty and simmery (technical terms, see??)

Let them cool for a few minutes before using a fork to spin them around to unstick and take out.

Plate, Serve, Enjoy.

Trust me, they disappear quickly!

Be sure to comment, so I know you were here!

Also, if you would like to order some of the Razzleberry or Sunshine Jam, contact me through the "about me" or Like "Cackleberry Hollow" on Facebook and message me there!

Jammin!

Today was another "at home" day getting jams made to refill our stock.

On the stove is "Monkey Butter" in process and Red Raspberry on the back burner coming up to a slow heat.

Later will be Blackberries ...ah the smell of summer!

Finally...the announcement

At my last craft fair, I was catty corner from two lovely women that made the some of the cutest cards.  We talked scrapbooking for a bit as we waited for the fair to open.

Fast forward 4 hours, these poor women had to hear my "jam talk" approximately 427 times (and likely could recite it themselves!!).  At the end of the fair, she came over and was chatting with me about how I had some really unique takes for using jams and jellies....would I like to do a segment on her morning show about it?

Um...wait...what?!?  In her "regular life" she is the producer for the 9 am hour of "Good Day Columbus".  And she asked ME if I would be comfortable doing a 4 minute segment in the next few weeks..YIKES!! 

Well, YES!! 

As you may or may not know, I am not a camera person.  But in the interest of growing and trying things outside (WAAAAY outside) my comfort zone, this is going to happen!!  I flunked public speaking and "told" God that I was never, ever going to be someone that was in the forefront when speaking.  Guess what, when God has other plans, you really ought to obey, eh?  LOL.

SO, my "TV debut" will be November 30 at 9:45 am on Good Day, Columbus. (Channel 6, I'm pretty sure).  However, it will also be on their website (Oh, Dear!!) and I can link it after the fact.  Also, I will be posting all the "recipes" of what I'm showing on the blog on 

November 3th.

I'd say go watch it, but the idea of people actually watching me is kinda freaking me out! 

"Festival" Season

I've had our "Really Local Farm Market and Craft Fair" for three years now.  Last year I did one additional "festival" at a local church the next week.  In the past, I've sold stuff at the farmer's market and do pretty well because "I have the gift for gab"  Laugh!

Right before our festival this year, the same church that I had gone to last year called me and asked if I would participate in their bazaar again this year.  Personally asked, um SURE!! Then a great friend mentioned their church was doing an event.  Would I like to come?!  Definitely!  Then, Boy's girlfriend's Dance Studio was doing their first ever Craft Fair.  Yes, I'll do that too.

Guess what?  I like doing festivals!!  So I've been looking around on Facebook and the local papers to find more.  That also means making lots more jams and jellies. On the schedule for this week is at least 12 batches to replenish my most popular flavors (the most popular seems to be the "Cackleberry Classics" which are the blends that we have come up with.)

I meet the neatest people at the festivals.  This weekend I met a really nice lady and we talked and talked.  More on that in a few days as I might have A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! (at least it's BIG for me!)

As of right now, my next festival is on November 18th (Friday night) and then another full day one on December 3rd.  Come out and see me!  But if you need some jams, jellies or savories before then, send me a message!

The big reveal! Boy is 16!!

Unbelieveably our guy is now 16 years old.  He's getting his driving in to get his license.  He sings bass.  He's over 6 feet tall (And very handsome, in my unbiased mommy opinion.)

I wanted to do a big "To Do" for the special day, but he's more low-key.

But as I alluded to the other day...I did work on a monumental (to me) project for his special day. Since he was 3,  he would hand me shirts and ask me to put the "in the memory box so my kids can wear em" For two cycles of the 101 list (so about 6 years now), I've wanted to make those shirts into something special. A t-shirt quilt.  

I found a great group on Facebook and after reading their posts and seeing their pictures, I jumped in.  3-12 hour days later and a blister on the knuckle of my middle finger (isn't that odd??) it was ready a day early!  Good thing too, because we actually did a festival ON his birthday.

And as my Man says...that 1-oh-done!

Harvest

The view out the front door.  All the machinery has pulled in to start the corn harvest around us.

And WHO is THAT in the combine??

Yup!  That's our Boy.  He did an afternoon 4 hour shift and then went out again after dinner and did an evening shift of 4.5 hours (until 12:30 am!!

The animals came out to watch too!

A new project

It's 5 days until Boys 16th birthday. It seems like the perfect time to undertake a major sewing project that's been about 15 years in the making...  no pressure!  This is something I've wanted to make for his 16th birthday for two "101" cycles (is 6 years). That I would decide that 4 days seems like enough time to accomplish it...well I'm not known for being overly realistic. Ha! Here's a quick snap of the "getting started" mess!