Homemade Strawberry Jam

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Ok, so I am in the middle of completing my final assessments at the moment, so I have cheated a bit.  For Valentines Day this year I decided to be a bit more creative because let's face it after being together for over 20 years - chocolates, bears etc gets a little bit predictable.  

My sweetheart loves berries - so I decided to buy (yes you heard right) some strawberries and make jam especially for him.  Unfortunately, they weren't really in season and mine all died - which is why I did the strawberry pallet garden earlier.  Needless to say when I presented him with this and his other favourite, homemade shortbreads - he was blown away with appreciation.  Sometimes it is good to think 'out of the box' a bit so that we can create something special and unique.

Recipe for Strawberry Jam

500g strawberries

1 cup sugar

juice of 1 lemon

Wash and dry berries.  Squash berries with hands into a saucepan and add sugar and bring to the boil with lid on.  Stir and take off the lid.  Let simmer until soft and add the lemon juice.  Test to see if it is set by putting a dob on a saucer and letting cool.  Bottle in sterilized jars and lable and decorate.  

 Makes one bottle - but you can adjust the quantities to make more or less.

Thought for the day:  Valentines Day, celebrated on 14 February, helps us focus on love and romance, even though many think it is too commercial.  In light of celebrating love and marriage, I thought this verse would be appropriate.  '..... Rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.  Proverbs 5:18-19.  I like this verse because it highlights that love and marriage can last a lifetime. I know how happy my husband has made me and I treasure our relationship.  I am always looking for ways to please him and he tries to do the same.

Honey Joys - for Sunday :)

Honey Joys

Yum!

My son has just started wanting to cook.  I must admit even though he is my youngest, I haven't cooked honey joys since I was a little girl!  Anyway, he tried some and has been nagging me ever since to make them.  So today was the day - I really enjoyed creating these with master 5 :)

Honey Joys

4 cups of cornflakes

3 Tablespoons of butter

1/3 cup of sugar

1 Tablespoon of honey

Put cornflakes in a large mixing bowl.  In a small saucepan melt sugar, butter and honey until frothy.  Pour hot liquid into cornflakes and mix.

Line patty tin with patty papers and give a light mist with cooking spray.  Place spoonfuls of mix in papers and cook on a low heat 150 degrees celsius for 8 - 10 minutes.  Let cool completely in patty tins.

Makes 18

This recipe comes from the Take 4 book (green)

Thought for the day:  I love Sundays because it a great day for family and relaxation.  We try to go to church regularly which adds to my joy because I come away feeling uplifted and enjoy seeing and chatting with other people (yep, I don't get out much through the week).  Today, even though it isn't Christmas, I am going to enclose the wonderful song - which should be sang all year round - Joy to the World.

By the way - these are so quick and simple and would be great for a fete/stall.  We are taking some with us to visit Nanna & Pa this afternoon!

Anzac Biscuits

An Aussie Icon

Today, Australians celebrate Anzac Day - a day for remembering and paying tribute to the men and women who served our country in years passed and those who are still bravely defending it.

We attend dawn services, play two-up and love to eat Anzac Biscuits. These biscuits were made by Australian and New Zealand women and sent overseas to our soldiers in World War 1.  I have included a no-fuss recipe for you to try:

Anzac Biscuits

1 cup plain flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup caster sugar

1 cup desiccated coconut

125g butter

1 Tablespoon golden syrup

1 Teaspoon bicarb soda

2 Tablespoons boiling water

Preheat oven 170 degrees celsius and lightly grease two baking trays.  Sift flour in a bowl and stir in oats, sugar and coconut.  Melt butter and syrup in a saucepan and remove from heat.  Dissolve the bicarb soda in the boiling water and add to the butter and syrup (don't panic - this will foam up).  Pour hot liquid into the dry mix and stir until all well combined.  Roll tablespoon-size mix into balls and flatten slightly on tray.  Cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let biscuits stand for 5 - 10 minutes before putting on a wire rack to cool.  

Makes approximately 30 and will keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.  Suitable to freeze.

Thought for the day:   Wouldn't it be nice to live in a world that was filled with peace?  Where there was no such thing as war?  Unfortunately, there has always been wars - people and countries who disagree with one another and decide to make it their quest to be proved right regardless of death and destruction and sacrificing innocent lives.  

It has been said that 'Weakness leads to War and Strength leads to Peace'.  This is so true.  How hard is it to restrain from anger when someone has hurt you?  In the old testament of the bible a person was allowed under the law to retaliate against a person who had harmed them - 'an eye for an eye'.  However, when Jesus came into the world he taught a very different view - "Do not resist an evil person.  If someone stikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39).  Wow - talk about pouring cold water on a flame!  By showing love and resisting the urge to get angry quells the angry person.  Jesus really is the ultimate peace symbol for our world.  

I hope our children and children's children continue to pause and remember the sacrifice of our brave men and women who serve/served our country in an effort to uphold peace. 

Lest We Forget