Freezing Strawberries + Freezer Jam

Yummy Strawberries!

Summer is here and suddenly it was time to purchase the local, yummy, juicy strawberries!  It's a tradition!  The already freshly picked quarts were purchased and after they arrived home it was time to prep/ freeze most of them to enjoy during the colder months here in Massachusetts.  Fresh local strawberries taste just sooo goood!!  Even the prepped local strawberries that are taken out of our freezer and defrosted.  There is something great about eating just ripe fruit.  Yum!!

To Freeze Strawberries:  Each berry was checked and the tops were cut off.  A triple rinse with cold water and draining them was the next step.  I like to cut the larger strawberries in halves or thirds before freezing. 

2 Cups of prepared fruit were placed in each freezer bag.  (Adding a little sugar to each bag is optional.)  Then, the bags were labeled and into our large freezer they went.  Oh, definitely there was a taste test and some strawberries are in our fridge ready to eat!

Strawberry Freezer Jam
Yes, the containers are recycled every year. :)

On Strawberry Day 2- three batches of Strawberry Freezer Jam were prepared.  We are not really partial to the commercial jams/ jellies/ preserves that are sold in supermarkets.  Making Freezer Jams has been another tradition of mine for over 40 years.  WoW!  It is that long.

After following the directions found in the CERTO package, the containers then sat on our dining room table undisturbed for 24 hours.  After the 24 hour time period they also found their place in our freezer.  Yum!

Our local, fresh, ripe, juicy Strawberries make their appearance in the fields once a year.  It's great to take the time to purchase them and then prep them to enjoy for the next 11 months.  Until there are no more found in our freezer, that is.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

The First Daylily!

Suddenly it happens!  It's always during the first week of July and it was today!  The first Daylily in our yard has blossomed.  This year it was a bright orange flower in our back perennial garden.  The plant has survived harsh cold winters and hot humid summers for over 39 years.  It does quite well here in New England.

There is another blossom and also more stems with blossoms.  We will be seeing orange on quite a few beautiful summer days.

Enjoy!

      

Wishing you-

A happy
and
a safe
4th of July!!!

Enjoy!

 

June Flowers!

It's the last day of June and there is so much color in our yard!  Yellow Stella de Oro Daylilies, red Roses, purple Petunias and light pink Citronella (Mosquito Plant) flowers.  Yes, even the Citronella (lower right corner) is blossoming!  We have 3 plants on our deck.  They sure do help keeping the mosquitoes from visiting us when we are sitting on our deck.   Every year we have 3 pots of these Mosquito Plants on our deck.

We are enjoying this last day of June!

Free Fun Fridays!

FREE FUN FRIDAYS
Schedule

Coming soon!  Beginning this Friday!  FREE FUN FRIDAYS!!!   That's tomorrow!!


It's a great program for anyone living in, vacationing in or driving through Massachusetts this summer.  It's offered by the Highland Street Foundation!  Beginning on Friday- June 28 and then on every Friday this summer through Friday- August 30 there are specific venues with free admission in Massachusetts.  Summer is here, but that does not put a halt on the learning process.  

If you have an opportunity to visit one, two, three or more of these great places, do so.  Adults and children will all be welcomed to enjoy their day at any of these great venues!  Zoos, history and art museums, music and hobbies are all represented with these choices.

Some of my favorite places to visit that are included on this list this summer are:

Norman Rockwell Museum

The Mount:  Edith Wharton's Home

Springfield Museums
5 museums on the campus including The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum  

Old Sturbridge Village

 
There are so many more great places to visit! 
For the complete list visit The Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays!

This is a wonderful program for visitors of all ages!!!  Have FuN!!!

Thank You Highland Street Foundation!

Enjoy!

 

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Flatbread

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Flatbread!

There had been just a few slices of grilled Pork Tenderloin on the serving platter after dinner.  Just a few was just enough!  Two days quickly flew by.  Suddenly, it was time to prepare another dinner.  I knew that on the second shelf of our fridge there was a container of Fat Free Ricotta cheese.  The packaged Flatbreads were located and fresh zucchini were ready to saute, also.  I envisioned another dinner- Grilled Pork Tenderloin Flatbread.  Yum!

So, 2 nights later dinner was quick and easy!   The 2 zucchini were sliced and sauteend on the stove.  Then, the FuN part started.  On a large cookie pan 3 Flatbreads were placed in a 375°F oven for 2 Minutes.  After removing from oven the layering starts.

Drizzling a little barbeque sauce (that has been diluted with a little water) over the top before adding the shredded cheese really adds that extra pizzazz.  If you have a few slices of grilled Pork Tenderloin remaining after dinner some night, save it to make Grilled Pork Tenderloin Flatbread for dinner.

Ingredients: 

Flatbreads- I use 3.
2 Zucchini-  sliced, then sauteed in Olive Oil with Basil + Oregano
1/4 Cup Ricotta Cheese (can be Fat Free)- for each flatbread
Grilled Pork Tenderloin- cut into small chunks
4 teaspoons BBQ Sauce
1 teaspoon Water
Shredded Cheese- desired amount

Method:

1. Place Flatbreads on a large cookie pan.  Bake for 2 Minutes in a preheated 375°F oven. 
2. Remove from oven.
3. Slice and saute Zucchini in Olive Oil with Basil + Oregano.
4. Place on top of Flatbreads.
5. Cut grilled Pork Tenderloin into chunks.  Place on flatbreads.
6. In a small container mix 4 teaspoons BBQ Sauce with 1 teaspoon water.
7. Drizzle BBQ Sauce/ Water mixture on top of Flatbreads.
8. Sprinkle desired amount of Shredded Cheese on top.
9. Bake for 5 Minutes in 375°F oven.
10.  Remove from oven.
11. Cut each Flatbread into 3 or 4 slices.
12. Cover & refrigerate any leftovers.

Ordering take- out pizza is easy, but after enjoying these Flatbreads, I would rather have this for dinner!  It is not difficult to prepare.  Just prepare all of the ingredients first.

Enjoy!
yummy!

               

New Colors of Spring!

I always appreciate the beautiful colors that Spring brings to our yard.  From the early sprouting Hyacinths, the flowing yellow Forsythia bushes to the yellow Daffodils.  Outside my computer room a burst of pink blossoms have erupted.  I often view them while glancing outside the window.  Admiring them outdoors is so much better.  The tall stalks are staked up, because of the recent rain.

Vibrant purple Irises have now made their appearances.  I had been watching the large clump in our front garden.  Yesterday, a smaller group in our back perennial garden started to blossom.

 
The Variegated Iris usually has one blossom every Spring.

Today was the day it blossomed!

New England's 4 seasons bring changes to our scenery throughout the year.  Each season is enjoyed, because it will change- yet again!  The pastel and also vibrant colors of Spring are just gorgeous!!

Enjoy!