Beneath the Shade of the Sunflowers

Conversations Moms Love to Hear

"[Trooper], what do you think the worst invention in the world is?"

"Clothes."

vanity

There are many authors I love but there are 3 that I deeply aspire to be like. As arrogant as it sounds, they are:

Oswald Chambers

C.S Lewis

Donald Miller 

(though if I had to choose a fourth it would be Ann Voskamp, hands down).

I think these authors take life changing ideas and sound teaching and manage to "put the cookies on the lower shelf" without losing any of the power. I admire that.

Just thought I'd share.

Habanero Apricot Jelly

                                                      Recipe by 
Janet Eckhoff, Woodland, CA

Zonoma Rates:    5 out of 5

3 1/2 lbs fresh apricots,6 tablespoons bottle lemon juice
,habeneros, seeded and finely chopped, 
1 package (1 3/4 oz) powdered fruit pectin,
7 cups sugar (oops, I think I only used 6!)

1. Pit and chop apricots; place in Dutch oven. Stir in lemon juice. Place habaneros in a blender; add small amount of apricot mixture. Cover and process until smooth. Return to the pan.

2. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in the sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

3. Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 in headspace. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 5 minutes in bath canner.

The recipe said for best results to let processed the jam stand at room temperature for 2 weeks to set up but we dug into it almost immediately and ate almost a whole jar! Try it with Neufchatel cheese on cracked wheat crackers for a special treat or even as a side to a hearty beef stew. For the record, this recipe was so easy and so good that I have since researched growing apricots here and am planting new trees in the spring. 

Credits: 
I found this recipe in the Taste of Home August 27th, 2012 edition. This edition is dedicated to preserving and canning and has a LOT of yummy recipes. I highly recommend it!