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It’s a sad day around here when we go to the cupboard and, alas, there’s not a smidgen of homemade jam to be found. Since that day happened a few weeks ago, it was high time for me to buy some berries and haul out my canning equipment and get to work.
Actually, I love to make jam. I enjoy the process—except for cleaning up my mess—and it’s very satisfying to see jars of jewel-hued jam lined up in my cupboard. Today I made 12 jars of lower sugar strawberry jam, 6 jars of full-bore sugar strawberry jam, and 6 jars of mixed berry jam (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries). I was wishing I had some of the rhubarb I saw in the grocery store last week so I could make Rebecca’s Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam, but that will have to wait until another day.
The lighting in the picture is really bad, proof that my photo skills are pathetic. Happy anticipation reigns with thoughts of breakfast toast with a smear of butter and homemade jam. I’ve actually had the ‘cook’s treat’–buttered whole wheat bread topped with the jam scrapings from the cooking pan. Pretty tasty, even I do say so myself.
A few weeks ago Noel Piper linked to a Real Hope for Haiti Rescue Center request for volunteers to sew dresses for little girls who’ve been brought to the center for medical aid. I wanted to help and also sent the link to my sisters. They jumped right in and at last count have sewn a dozen or so already! Today was my first opportunity to crank up the old sewing machine and get to work. It was fun to sew this simple little dress with all the happy colors and imagine the smile of the little girl who wears it. We’re scouting out fabric sales and trying to get as many dresses sewn as we can for a shipment that leaves for Haiti later this month. The rescue center also suggests using pillowcases to make dresses, but I don’t have a thrift shop nearby. Much easier for me to access clearance fabric; I found some for $1/yd! I do have used but still sturdy sheets that I may call into play when I run out of fabric.
A couple of days ago my sister Judy told me that she was praying very earnestly one day, asking the Lord to please give her something to do that had value and would be of help to someone. She said, “Lord, I have no money, no car, no way to get anywhere to help anyone. But I do have lots of time, and I want to do something that counts.” It was the very next day that I read Noel’s post, then sent the link to my sisters. Judy knew it was a direct answer to her prayer, and she could not wait to get started. She had no money to buy anything, so she cut up a sheet—purple with tiny flowers—and made a dress, all the while thinking of and praying for a little Haitian girl who might be delighted to wear it. When God calls He provides all that’s needed to fulfill the call. Funds have come to buy materials, and she’s sewing with all her heart. I’m just thrilled to see her joy at God’s provision. Rachel is keeping pace too, making simple but sweet little dresses one after the other.
If you sew, consider making one dress or many for the girls at the Center, or you can sew an apron (also from a pillowcase!) for those who care for them. The blog has a list of ongoing needs, including clothing for little boys. Check it out!
