This old kitchen Santa is one that my daughter gave me years ago, when we exchanged Santas. Isn't he cute in his corduroy overalls and flannel shirt? Don't you love his metal pail, cookies and wooden spoon, with his sack of flour? He always makes me smile and today he was in the kitchen when I made Christmas Jam. My dear Mom made me the Santa pillow.
Every single morning, I have breakfast in bed, unless grandkids are spending the night. I always put milk in my teapot, so it's ready to pour.
I love the vintage look of this teacup by Johnson Brothers, and I have the matching luncheon size plate to use for my breakfast.
Here's my bed after I make it for the day. I love the red quilts for Winter time, and red always makes me happy! The bears were gift from my late hubby many years ago.
This is my view from my bed. I made the Chubby Snowman and I placed the tree and him on my childhood sled. The lights are on a timer and pop on for a few hours in the morning and then again in the evening. You can see how I made the snowman by looking here.
yield: 7 half pints
Christmas Jam
My late beloved and I always made several batches of this wonderful jam to give as gifts, and now I make it by myself, and remember our times together in the kitchen. You can decorate the jars by using muffin liners, ribbon, cross stitch, springs of holly, etc., or doilies.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 (12-ounce) package of fresh cranberries
- 2 (10-ounce) packages of frozen strawberries, thawed (I use a 23-24 oz.container of sliced strawberries in sugar now, because I can't find the 10 oz. packages any longer)
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 (3-ounce) package of liquid pectin
- 1 teaspoon of butter, to reduce foam
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Coarsely chop cranberries in a food processor.
- Combine cranberries, strawberries, sugar, and butter in a Dutch oven, and bring to boil, and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, and add liquid pectin to mixture.
- Return to heat and bring to a full rolling; boil 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and skim off foam with a metal spoon, if needed.
- Quickly pour jam into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4" headspace, wipe jar rims. Cover with metal lids, that have been boiled in water, and screw on bands. Process in boiling-water bath for 5 minutes.
- NOTE: Instead of processing in a boiling water bath, I turn the filled, lidded, banded jars upside down for about 5 minutes and then turn upright. In a few minutes, you should hear the jars seal, with a "ping". I have never had this fail, and this tip was shared by a friend about 40 years ago.
I am sharing with these lovely parties:
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I was featured! |
Thanks for the recipe for this very yummy jam Kitty! Great ribbon too:@)
ReplyDeleteOh your home is beautifully festive...it's even Christmas in the kitchen and the bedroom. Every morning breakfast in bed? I have yet to try breakfast in bed...perhaps I should remedy that. Fun memories you must have of jam-making with your Beloved.
ReplyDeleteYour home looks so festive, Kitty. I love to see a kitchen Santa and yours is so charming. Thank you for the recipe. That is a keeper, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat Christmas jam has become my very favorite jam thanks to your, dear Kitty. :)
ReplyDeleteAs of yesterday I have now made four batches of your wonderful jam and will be enjoyed by many of my dear friends and family members.
I do believe yours tastes better though. I believe it is all the love you pour into every jar.
Your Christmas tree in your bedroom is lovely.
We have a Christmas tree in our bedroom as well, I call it my elegant tree as it is decorated with lace ornaments that my dear Stephanie made me and some painted hearts that Celestina has hand painted, crystal jewels and pretty pink and gold balls. I have four trees up in the house, not all large trees and I believe the bedroom one is my all time favorite.
Have a most beautiful day, sweet lady~~
Your sweet Santa collection always makes me smile, Kitty. I'm also a fan of your Johnson Bros Christmas tea set. I've yet to see that pattern around here.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks so festive! I like your Kitchen Santa! And your tea set and quilts are lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays! =)
I love your morning routine, Kitty. It must be especially cozy this time of year, when you have the little lights to enjoy alongside it. The jam combination of cranberries and strawberries sounds delish!
ReplyDeleteBreakfast in bed??!?!?!! Wow! I think I need to treat myself like that! What a terrific gesture if LOVE and pampering for yourself...something we ALL need in our lives!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, sweetheart!
What a wonderful way to start the day Kitty! The santa from your daughter is adorable with his wooden spoon and flour. Love the Johnson Bros. place setting for you breakfast and love your red quilt and the precious bears from your beloved. I love that you shared your memories of your husband while making jam for gifts. What a wonderful way to keep his spirit all around.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you sweet friend..............
I just love that you have breakfast in bed! What a fabulous tradition! I'm afraid I'd be tempted to go back to sleep :) What a pretty bed. I love the red, and it looks so like you. A pretty tree to look at while you're enjoying your tea and toast. I have a retro/vintage pink and aqua tree in our bedroom. It doesn't quite go with the decor downstairs, so I have it upstairs, and love it!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen cranberry/strawberry jam, but I love cranberries, so I will have to try this.
Blessings to you, Deborah
Hi Kitty, What a darling Santa all set to make cookies. I love the pillow your mom made too. Your bedroom and beautiful quilt in reds are so pretty and perfect for Christmas. The teddy bears are just the sweetest and what a treasured gift from your beloved. Love your darling tree and the sweet snowman you created standing by. How sweet to view this each evening and morning while enjoying breakfast in bed. Love your jam recipe and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI will print this one too. Looks like you are all set for a beautiful Christmas and your home is cozy and inviting.
Have a blessed week sweet friend. xo
What an adorable post that made me feel happy! Love your 'adorables'...and I was tickled to see you put milk in your tea too! My mom always fixed it like that for us, so I must continue that 'tradition'. LOVE seeing the view from your bed - how awesome to have a tree in your bedroom. And the teddies on your bed are so special. Thanks so much for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week. XO
ReplyDeleteKitty, All your Christmas touches make everything so kozy and festive! I love your bedding, you may remember I have one of your same red quilts :) I've never met a Johnson Brothers pattern I didn't love and what a treat to enjoy breakfast and tea in bed on your tray! I've been a lucky recipient of your delicious jam, what a great tip on sealing those jars. ♥
ReplyDeleteyour bed is really pretty and so festive....and the tea cup is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI seal my jars in the same way and it always works....xoxo
Kitty, your little Santa and pillow from your Mom are such treasures. I love the way you've added Christmas to your bedroom. It looks so inviting and cozy. Good for you-having breakfast in bed each day. One of life's little pleasures and how nice to enjoy everyday. Pretty tea cup and tea pot. Enjoy your festivities this week!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are delightful and I enjoyed every single one. I love the color red and I really love your Johnson Brothers Christmas china.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Sandy Claus xx
Thanks for the recipe too!!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Your sweet hubby gave you bears, mine gave me angels. Isn't it wonderful that we still have these treasures to remind us of the good times together?
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd thought to put a little tree up in my bedroom, as yours is sooo wonderfully warm & cheerful. Maybe I'll find a little on on sale after 12/25!
Nothing like fresh jam on toast with an egg on the side...it's what I have nearly every morning for breakfast, myself...but not in bed, I'm afraid. Good for you that you are able to give yourself a little TLC every morning! Your bedroom looks so very cozy and comfortable, not to mention how festive! I love the red too. Thank you for sharing your wonderful jam recipe! Merry Christmas Hugs! ♥
ReplyDeleteSounds like you know how to begin a day better than anyone I know! How wonderful to be surrounded by such sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you shared your recipe Kitty. I was just telling some of my ladies in Bible Study about you making your Christmas jam and sharing it with friends and family. YES, I talk about my blogging friends with my friends and a lot of them will say after they realize that we are blogging friends, "Well dang Cindy, I thought by the way you talked you know them personally". I said, I do! LOL! Love all of your Christmas. I am a huge fan of Santa's and you know I love that tea cup! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteDear Kitty, do I remember how delicious your jam is! I hope to find time to make some during this Christmas season. Christmas blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nancy
Dear Kitty, do I remember how delicious your jam is! I hope to find time to make some during this Christmas season. Christmas blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Nancy
The view of, and from your bed is cozy both ways Kitty. The Christmas jam sounds delicious and I have lots of frozen strawberries that I picked in the freezer. The tip of turning the jars upside down is a good one. Thanks for sharing your recipe
ReplyDeletexx
What a great idea Kitty. Breakfast in bed is always a fun idea...your santa is quite adorable le, as is all your other treasures. What a lovely way to start the day, surrounded by a cozy pretty room. Love the jam idea, so different and I bet delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Merry Christmas dear Kitty.
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty, I love how pretty you have decorated your house. This jam looks amazing and what a great gift this will make! Thanks for sharing this at C&C with J&J. Enjoy the holidays.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julie xo
Oh, what a delight to see your Christmas jam {{smiles}} It is such a tasty treat my friend, and I can see why you make it every year.
ReplyDeleteYour home/bedroom looks so pretty and festive for Christmas. Much love to you, Kitty!
Thanks for the recipe, Kitty!
ReplyDeleteYour bedroom is so Kosy!!!! I love you decorated it for Christmas - that's just neat! I have never done that, maybe I need to one of these years!
Hugs!! ♥
Hugs!
Thank you for a great recipe. This will make a lovely gift for Christmas or any occasion! I'm coming from BJ's. I'm so surprised I haven't visited your blog before, we share so many of the same friends!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, Kitty!
Jane x
Well this sounds so tasty!!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Oh, I love the teacup!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the jam recipe -- I will try this out, as I have lots of frozen strawberries in the freezer. A quick question -- are the 10-ounce packages of strawberries sweetened, or unsweetened?
Hi Mrs. T.! I use the sweetened strawberries, in their own juice. I hope you get a chance to make this jam. Merry Christmas!
DeleteThanks so much, Kitty!
DeleteI am definitely planning to try your recipe. I love to give gifts from my kitchen!😊
Dear Kitty:
ReplyDeleteI love your recipe for Christmas Jam. I used to sell some English brand that was like this but also had raspberries in it and this year I have been remembering it. We loved it ourselves so I am copying your recipe. Your quilts are lovely. I have been looking for a red one but the only ones I have seen were either torn badly or $250.00 which isn't possible! Thanks for sharing and linking.
Kitty, your home is so "kozy." I think it's lovely that you have breakfast in bed. This jam sounds wonderful, and I've emailed it to myself and plan to make it. When I do, I'll picture you making it in your kozy kitchen while remembering jam-making with your beloved.
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI have been privileged to have a jar of your amazing Christmas Jam one year and it was fantastic!! Your home is always so warm and inviting, just like you my sweet friend. Hope you have a fantastic weekend, stay warm and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Hi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteYour homemade jam looks delicious and I do love your Christmas decorations in your bedroom. What special Christmas teddies. What a good idea to add the milk to your teapot. Blessings, Karen
The proper way to start the day :-) The jam looks terrific, Kitty.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Kitty, Having the lights on a timer is very smart. I recently purchased ginger pear jam which was very delicious. I will check on line for a recipe. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteHello Kitty! Your santa is really cute- and of course the pillow your mom made is precious. The jam recipe sounds delicious! I haven't canned anything in so long I had to admit it! Your morning routine sounds delightful and I love how cozy your bedroom is. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed this but so happy I found it! I can't wait to make the jam! I had no idea you could seal the jars this way...thanks so much for sharing! I love having a small tree in the bedroom. It's such a pleasant way to end the day. Your bed looks beautiful and I just love red! I've tried not to continue adding it to my decor but gave that up quickly. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's so special that you treat yourself to breakfast in bed daily! We really need to do more kind and loving things for ourselves. The little bears are adorable and the kitchen Santa is darling! I absolutely love the pillow! Your mom is precious to make that for you...lots & lots of stitches there. :)
Have a wonderful week my friend!
Much love to you,
Pat
Kitty,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your very special jam recipe and the memories of making it with your husband. Merry Christmas.
Judith
Hi Kitty, I'm so glad you shared your Christmas Jam recipe - I usually give Pineapple Jam but would like to add this to my jam gifts to give away - sounds delicious. Love the Johnson Brothers china - I had not seen this pattern before - it's lovely. So sorry you've lost your husband but I'm glad that you have wonderful memories of making jam with him this time of year. Merry Christmas! Blessings, Janet
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a delicious recipe for jam! I've not been able put foods up since our landlords surprised me when they replaced my stove that they had in this house when the oven thermostat died. They purchased a new glass topped stove because they knew I would care for it properly. After checking out glass topped stoves they do not recommend doing a water bath canning process on a glass topped stove due to the weight of everything. I especially thank you for the tip to seal this jam...do you know by any chance if this sealing process will work for foods other than jam recipes?
ReplyDeleteThat teacup is darling. I just love that pattern. It all looks so cute. Thanks for linking up to Monday Social.
ReplyDelete