Jenna Lou Loves You

Jam'en

I'm back and feeling much much better. Yesterday I still had a bit of a lump in my throat, but today I'm good. I thought I had made it past flu season unaffected, but of course I got hit with the worst of all.... the spring sickness. argh.

Anyways. Despite spending most of my time on the couch feeling sorry for myself I did manage to get up and do a couple projects. The first I want to share I did yesterday. Here's how it goes:

Me: wow.... there is still so much rhubarb... I feel bad just leaving it out there unused.

Deb (Boyfriends Mom): Well.... you could make another dessert.

Me: No... that last one was amazing, but I want something different.... just not sure what.

Deb: How about rhubarb jam.

Me: WHAT? YUM! I would have never thought of that!

In an excited rush I searched the internet for a recipe and ended up chooseing the 'cheater jam' method. I call it 'cheater jam' because it uses Jello. Yeah I know. Not the best for you, but jam is a treat anyways so what the heck.

So here my friends is the best rhubarb jam. It's sweet and tart and so so GOOD!

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EASY STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB JAM
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 5 c. rhubarb, diced
 3 c. sugar
 1 sm. pkg. strawberry Jello

Combine the diced rhubarb and sugar and let stand overnight.
Next morning simmer this mixture for 10-15 minutes. Stir in
package of Jello. Pour into jam jars and freeze when jam
cools.

*Makes 3 jelly jars full
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Enjoy!
Jennalou

P.S. Yes family... you will be getting some!

One More Day

I know.. I know. I've been gone forever. At first I was just enjoying surviving all those shows I did in April, but then I got sick. I've had the stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, blurry head and all. It was no fun... but now I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I refuse to be sick anymore.

I'll be back soon. Just one more day.
xo,
Jennalou

First Harvest

Today was a beautiful spring day. I stayed inside for the most part like a good girl to finish up some work, but I did venture outside for just long enough to see that the rhubarb was big enough to pick. We have a HUGE patch of it (probably could use a good splitting) and several of the stocks finally reached 12- 14" so I picked away.

I took just enough to make this dessert that I spotted in the May 2008 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. We already had everything on hand so it was a really quick mix up. And let me tell you... YUM. They are super sweet and sugary, so small pieces is a must... but they are soooo good. I love things with oats in them and the rhubarb is perfect. Tart!

Taking the first  harvest from our garden was really fun. It has me dreaming of all the other fresh goodness that is just around the corner.

xo,
Jennalou

May!!

I can hardly believe it is May already!! The past 2-3 weeks have just flown by unaccounted for. At least spring has finally made a real appearance. We have some serious blooming going on in the trees just outside my windows and the army of tulips have shown their faces. It's really a beautiful time of year.... I've been trying to enjoy each and everyday, to take it in slowly.

Work has been a different story. I've been having a really hard time keeping myself indoors so I have to apologize to those of you waiting for a shipment... I promise I will be caught up by the end of the week. I've notices a downwards slope in my work and I think it's because it's become so demanding and repetitive. I've been trying to look into the future... to plan for it and I can see already that there are going to be some very big changes in the way I have been doing things and hopefully it will be good for all of us. I'm not really sure of the exact changes that will be made, but I do know that custom and wholesale work is going to be on the back burner for a while.

I want to take a new approach as to what I offer in the shop... but I'm going to keep my lips sealed for a bit on that until I work all the kinks out and feel really good and confident that it is the right choice.

Anyways... enough about that. I hope you all are taking the time to enjoy spring and all the renewed energies that it brings!

xo,
Jennalou