Jamming in More Crafting

In the comments on my last post, Joy and Annie asked for the recipe for Carrot Cake Jam that some of my family members recently used and I finally have crammed in some time to type it up for them and anyone else who might be curious :) 

Carrot Cake Jam

4 cups peeled chopped pears

3 cups finely grated carrots

1 120 oz. can crushed pineapple not drained

6 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

5 cups sugar

1 package fruit pectin

Combine everything except the pectin into a saucepan.

Heat, stirring frequently until it comes to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover pan and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Transfer mixture to a blender and blend till smooth.

Transfer back to the saucepan, add pectin, and bring back to a boil for 1 min.

Transfer to hot jars and seal.


Last Friday I enjoyed another visit to Multnomah Falls!

Teresa invited me to attend the 100th anniversary of Multnomah Falls being a public park.

Reading the history of how this wonderful location was set aside to be enjoyed by all helped me appreciate it all the more.

Individuals such as Simon Benson helped make the park possible.

The 100th year celebration of the creation of the  public park was news covered by some of our local news broadcasters.

The celebration was made possible by the National Park Service, The Friends of Multnomah Falls, and others who worked together to make it so.  My friends Teresa and Dayle Kasner [in the upper right corner of this photo] were among those who helped make the celebration successful.

Driving home from the Falls I stopped at The Women's Forum overlook to take this view looking north up the Columbia river to Vista House. As I type to you I am appreciating once more folks like Dayle and Teresa who have contributed their support so that others can enjoy this view as well. 

Back at home with carrot cake jam in a jar on my table, I am also appreciating more beautiful dahlias and the crafting of others who have shared their talents with me.

I read this interesting cookbook from cover to cover one evening after receiving it from my dear NY friend, Becky, last week. It is a wonderful combination of history, artwork, and recipes.  Thank you again, Becky!

I thought I had mentioned this, but Teresa told me I hadn't!  My oldest daughter is expecting to introduce me to my youngest granddaughter, Sarah Josephine, around the end of November...in about ten weeks!  My youngest daughter was hostess for a baby shower yesterday, and I made this little bib with a size D crochet hook for the baby.

This is the new baby blanket I am working on for a baby at a local neonatal unit.  I love how the self striping yarn forms a pretty design...without me having to count my stitches :)

Folks round about me share their creativity and care in such sweet ways, and encourage me to go and do likewise.  There are so many needs in the world, I often hide from them, but then I realize that each effort one makes to express love is worth it and helps our world to be more filled with love.

While I was reading one of her blog posts, I listened to a song Clare crafted and performed and posted on her blog. I was inspired by how she is contributing to the cause of love by using her creativity to highlight the needs of the Syrian refugees.

I love hearing from you and learning how you are crafting creative caring into your life with your family, friends, and neighbors, at home and abroad; and I hope your are having a good week!  :)

xx,
Gracie


"...But I'm not abandoned.  The Father is with me.  I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.  In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.  But take heart!  I've conquered the world."  John 16:31-33 MSG