Today I made strawberry jam like my mom taught me when I was a kid. It was one of the first home-made things I ever learned to make because I was (and still am) terrible with Math and it was easy for me to remember–equal parts pureed fruit and sugar. I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed with the number of things I should be working on: my graduate school weekly work as well as the pending final paper, my IB reading for the new courses I’ll be teaching this fall, finishing unpacking, the unending paper work, finding new doctors, applying for my GA driver’s license, house projects, cleaning, etc. I know to the average person, the life of a teacher in the summer time is a piece of cake, but I take my “free time” very seriously, and expect to accomplish serious to-do lists every single day. It’s part of my genetics from growing up on a farm, where there was never a stay-in-pajamas-day in order to lounge and watch TV. We always had to-do lists, and didn’t stop until there were lines drawn through each item or it was dark–whichever came first. Before tackling my to-do list today, however, I turned on my favorite Pandora blend–Tanya Tucker, Dolly Pardon, and Tammy Wynette, and I made jam. Making jam is my go-to hobby and my quickest connection to my childhood. It brings me a sense of calm and solace on hard days like nothing else can do. In San Antonio, Nicholas used to travel a lot and I’d make jam and listen to music when I felt lonely and missed being around him. I made jam late at night when I was stressed about my school day or had a situation with a student that was out of my control. Jam is my haven, and I always know that regardless of my stress or frustration, my jam will turn out sweet and delicious, and that sense of regularity will bring me comfort and peace. Today, I made jam because it reminded me of home and a simple life, where everything feels okay in a kitchen of foods made from love. I find myself now in an urban place of complexity–the sense of city makes me want even more for a “home grown” lifestyle on the inside, as I think the contrast of the two makes for a perfect life. I’ve been planting basil seeds inside old tomato cans and I even have my own strawberry plant in the back panel of land beside the drive way. I re-furnished an old baby changing table the other day and turned it into a cocktail table, while feeling reminiscent of my 4-H days. These bits of my childhood inside our new place has helped to create a home for us, and as long as I continue to make jam and homemade bread, and re-create the simplicity of farm life inside our dwelling, I think each day will be a celebration.

Rocke Strawberry Jam:
Equal parts pureed berries and sugar
One squeezed lemon per 4-5 cups berries and sugar

Combine ingredients in a large pot on the stove, bring to a boil, and soft boil for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Take off heat and allow to sit overnight to continue thickening. Jar the next morning.