Rosemary Balsamic Strawberry Jam

What to do when you are up to your ears in moving boxes?

Forget all your troubles and make jam!

This is a great recipe to fiddle with too, the rosemary adds a smoky floral note, the balsamic adds depth and umami, the strawberries are little jewels of love... yum.

To make this very unique, yet totally approachable jam, start with six cups of halved strawberries.

 

add 1/4 cup sugar

 

and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

 

 Bring to a boil, trying not to hypnotize yourself too much...

 

Then simmer for 25 minutes, until jam is syrupy and thickened, add chopped fresh rosemary (about 1 full sprig per recipe) and wait for the internal "oohs and ahhhs"

 

 

 

 

Cool and refrigerate in an air tight container, keeps for two weeks. 

 

I like mine with butter on toast, or with a lovely hard cheese and crackers

 

 

 How did I have so much strawberries in the middle of a move, you might ask?  

 

My best friend and I just went strawberry picking yesterday, and what a bounty we picked! We shared this box full and I have so many Strawberries to play with. There is something very satisfying about knowing you picked the produce yourself.

 

Here's Ashleigh enjoying the sun, what a beauty!

My favorite strawberry of the day, what a funny shape!

 

 Today we did a food demo at the farmers market, and Ashleigh will be doing a guest post right here on Czesia Lives! I'm very excited about that, and to share our recipes with you!

 

See you all very soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's New Baby Boo?

Hi guys!

I wanted to update you on various things.

I had originally planned n a Father's day post but tried to keep my mind busy packing things and putting things away to give to charity. Why, you might ask? More on that later. I just wanted to start by giving a HUGE thank you to everyone who gave me an apple pie recipe. On the day of, I just couldn't do it. The image of me sitting at home by myself eating pie was just off-putting. I'll be making a pie when I have people around to enjoy it. Marc had to work that day, and everyone else was visiting with their Dads (as they should be). The next best thing? Apple candle, this is a nice one and helps me in a ritualistic type of way. I think of a memory with my Dad and light the candle.

So you might be asking yourself, packing? What's going on? Well Ladies and Gents, the "D" family is moving..

 

To our own semi-local slice of paradise, yep this will be my backyard. Source

 

Oh yes, this is my backyard as well...source

 

My goal is to enjoy "my backyard" as much as possible, hopefully everyday. It'll be worth the commute that I will be making.

 

Also, I'm moving into a cottage of sorts (okay a 1950's revamped garage, who's counting) but I will be updating with pictures and videos of our new 600 square foot nest.

 

Lastly, my hair she be a growin'! I am very happy that my hair grows pretty quickly. I've already chopped the back a few times, but just a few more inches and I'll have the length I originally asked for. Did you miss my hair disaster? Check out this blog entry (my most popular to date post, thanks guys for wanting to see me with a terrifying haircut haha!)

 

 

Thanks again for tuning in, and keep on checking in to see more about our July 1st move!

Daddy's Apple Pie

It's getting really close to Father's Day, my first without my Dad.


My Dad and I dancing on my wedding day...

 

 

The only thing that I think is going to get me through the day is making my family an apple pie. For as long as I can remember, my Dad always got a homemade apple pie to celebrate him. Whether it be his birthday, a congratulatory meal, or Father's day... it's that apple pie! So without further ado I need an apple pie recipe and I need you help to find the best one!

 Please send me your favorite recipe and I'm going to make it, even if the apples a fifty dollars a piece and out of season.


Thanks friends!